Research, Research, Research

Well, I am physically back from vacation. After loads of laundry and settling back into our routine, I'll be able to pull out the chasuble and take another good look at it.

I have learned from the owner that I am to do what I can to keep it from getting worse-- to get as much more wear out of it that I can at minimal cost. I confess I'll probably do more, because it's a labor of love, and it's the closest I'll ever get to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I am so honored to even touch these garments, and hope the Good Lord will use my hands to truly make a difference.

While I was on vacation, my mind was not idle. I was able to download a couple ancient books from Google regarding the making of vestments that were of great  interest to me. I didn't finish either, but learned a lot.

One was a book written by Anastasia Dolby, and another by Herbert Norris. The latter was only partially available, because it has been republished, and the copyright still exists. These are both about the history of vestment-making, and give patterns for the various pieces as well as embroidery designs and directions.

Another book I found was about fabric weaving. There are three spots on the chasuble that are well worn, and I am curious if I can salvage as much fabric as possible- to save money on new fabric, and preserve the original.

It turns out there are two types of re-weaving fabric: French Weave, and In-weave. With French Weave, you take some threads from the actual fabric in some hidden spot and weave them back into the garment, leaving the ends on the "wrong side" of the fabric. One restriction: the hole has to be smaller than about 1 1/2" in diameter (these are a bi bigger than that). With In-weave, you get a patch of fabric larger than the hole (from a hidden spot, or find some matching fabric) and then weave the loose ends into the fabric, matching the pattern, if any.

When you reweave fabric, you get to wear these cool magnifying goggles and use ultra small needles and hooks. The goggles are sort of like what Belle's father wore in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

I've been thinking about which parts to tackle first as well. I think I'll do some of the quick fixes first, because, according to financial guru Dave Ramsey (what?!), if you get a lot of little, easy victories in a short timespan, then it'll motivate you towards the larger hurdles.

So, I think some touch up on the embroidery will be first- and yet still challenging. That's okay, I'm always up for a challenge.

White Chasuble

Here's a sneak peek of one of my next projects. I do not know its age or history other than it used to belong to the late Fr. Alfred Kunz of a parish in the Madison, WI diocese. He was murdered many years ago, and his case is still unsolved. The current caretaker has asked me to see what I can patch it up a bit. The hand embroidery is exquisite, and has held up pretty well. However, some of the goldwork is coming loose, and a little of the embroidery has completely worn away. That, and, the silk onto which it was worked is decaying. Next to the embroidery the background fabric by the left side panel is tattered and worn. This is most likely because of friction from the maniple rubbing against it. The trim along the neck is worn, too, but is fine in a "patch up" scenario.

This is the back. Again, the embroidery is amazing. It's in great repair here, which is quite a relief. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is in need of some repairs, though. There are red markings on the nimbus (halo) that are worn, the heart is missing mos of the thorns, and Jesus' sleeve has worn away from the border in the lower left. There is also a little goldwork that is coming loose. Inside the neck, the gold lining is frayed extensively.

I was also given the maniple and stole (not original to the set, I don't think) that need the trim reattached.

THE PLAN

The Sacred Heart will be rather straight forward in repair: reattaching goldwork, adding the red back to the nimbus, and re-affixing the sleeve.

For the neck, I think I will trim the frayed ends and stabilize it from continuing. Then, I think that instead of finding a matching, or close to matching gold colored lining, I may attach a couple layers of linen, that can be removed and laundered as necessary.

On the front, this will be the most challenging. Do I re-lay the embroidery on new silk and linen? Or trim and stabilize the remaining silk? Do I finish the worn away embroidery? Do just re-attach the goldwork? What about the panel-- do I re-weave it? There isn't any fabric that matches exactly in order to do a patch.

Well, that's about it for now. We're getting ready for a much anticipated week at the cabin, and I only have a day and a half to get ready. Lots to think about this week.

Pawn Shop Chasuble

I was asked to stiffen up this chasuble and complete the set. The chasuble was limp, and on the back, the cross was drooping and pulling the whole thing out of whack. The shoulders had stretched as well, and there was no trim on the outside at all.

I found fabric that was very close to the chasuble's- that particular shade of gold (very orange) was difficult to find combined with the pattern. The fabric ultimately came from Russia.

The trim helped give the chasuble a finished look and would make it easier to tie the rest of the set together.

I opened up the chasuble and inserted a canvas type material, then re-hand-stitched the lining closed.

I'm trying to get another picture loaded- but my talent lay more with creative items and less with technological.

Welcome!

This is new. (obviously)

Please be patient with me as I upload and write about current and past vestment restorations.

There's a pawn shop save, and a couple antique vestment repairs- a chasuble and a cope.

I look forward to documenting my progress on these various challenges.

Thanks again, and keep coming!