Fabric-ating the Church
I started sewing when I was about 10 and I've been at it ever since. Though I don't make many garments these days, I love making quilts, bags, home decor, and - of course -- stoles.
I started making them when I was a seminary student and kept it up during my first pastorate. It was a small town, and I had plenty of time to sew. Most of those early stoles were sold by the seminary bookstore in Berkeley (long since closed). I took a pause during the 13 years of my next call, and took it up again when I retired. Since 2010 I have made more than 900 stoles (and counting).
My favorite part of the process is selecting fabrics. You may have noticed that I don't use embroidered or appliqued symbols on my stoles. Instead, I let the fabrics themselves do the work. I want them to say more than "this is the season of the church year." I want them to visually contribute to the worship -- by theme, by scripture, by significant events.
You may also have noticed that my stoles are narrower and shorter than many commercially made stoles. I find the proportions more pleasing -- and since I am only 5'1" they seem plenty long to me! I use an interfacing called "hair canvas" that is usually found in upscale coat and jacket collars and lapels. It helps the stoles hold their shape and hang nicely. And the fringe is there are three reasons: a) it is part of the design (like the frame or mat on a painting), b) it helps the stole drape correctly, and (c) it is faster to sew, which helps keep your cost low.
If you are interested in making stoles yourself, I am glad to share the method that I use -- just send me a message and I'll be glad to share it.
