Express Your Faith In Stitches
A Division of Precision Embroidery LLC
The Orphrey Project
Restoration and Reproduction of a 150 Year Old Antique Vestment Set
Vestment Revisited
A volunteer seamstress contacted us in regards to this project for a Latin Mass Community and its first ever, Solemn High Mass, in only two months on the upcoming feast. What they had were the few main pieces of an antique set of vestments that were over 150 years old. Matching humeral veil and cope were only some of the missing pieces that this talented woman was offering her time to make.
Running up, down and around the entire antique set were fleur-de-lis orphreys that were a part of the actual fabric and were accompanied by various layers of trim.
Precision Embroidery took on the job of recreating the entire and full pattern of orphreys through embroidery.
This was a challenging task. As you can see, the designs both in the fabric and on the trim are so minute, so detailed, and unfortunately, have faded with time.
That “volunteer seamstress, Mrs. X.” also happened to be a talented graphic designer who offered her talents to create a graphic that we could work with. Her success was monumental....
Graphic Reproduction
Mrs. X.’s redesigned orphrey that incorporated the fleur-de-lis with the layers of trim gave us the framework to be able to being the digitization process.
We digitized one 5” orphrey that could be built upon, for our need, in 10” lengths (doubles). These lengths, once made in large quantities, would then be stitched together to make long strips as needed.
The Conversion
Then the task of matching colors began. Through the grace of God, we were able to find threads that matched exactly the colors that are now so faded from 150 years of good service to the altar. This design needed a background fabric, so a matching silk was found and the stitching began.
Recreating a Gem
In only 3 weeks time, we were able to complete 27 double orphreys. This was the “magical number” that constituted the design on all of the missing links to the old vestment set.
Introibo Ad Altare Dei
In just a few days later, Precision Embroidery’s double orphreys decked the magnificent antique vestment set’s missing pieces at the magnificent Solemn High Mass with attending Archbishop. It was a grand occasion to see this labor of love ascend the altar of God in His service. May they live to serve another 150 years - and then some!
Photos are courtesy of Michael Curtis Photography.
Graphic Image in pdf. file format
Converted into stitches - over 44,000 to be exact!
The Humeral Veil
Matching Maniples
Lining the Archbishop’s Cope...
Watch the Mass come to life!
