Anyone interested in textiles and embroidery might like to visit the Woman's Hour website to hear the programme's item about the new vestments made for the clergy of St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the cathedral's rebuilding.
I read an article about this astonishing project yesterday - it referred to some of the pieces being of "Liberace-like ostentation", not surprising considering they incorporate thousands of (donated) Swarovski crystals and a mile and a half of gold and silver thread, but in the vast and grandiose setting of St. Paul's they fit in, apparently, and are seen to advantage both from a distance and closer to.
The skills involved in their creation are many, from the designs - which complement the baroque interior - to the weaving of the silk and the specialist embroidery done by a team of volunteers. Of the finished vestments, one member of the clergy said "They're not just bling....but even from a long way down the nave you catch a little sparkle"!
Post a comment
Your Information
(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)
Several years ago I wrote an article for Devon Life on a day in the life of Exeter Cathedral. On the day I visited I met many people, from the Dean to the flower ladies, but one of my memories is of being taken to see the vestments and to be able to see them close up and personal, so to speak. They were incredibly detailed in their needlework embellishments, in both coloured silks and gold and silver thread. I think I admire needlework all the more because my own use of needle and thread stops at an ability to sew on a button!
Posted by: Margaret Powling | 21 December 2008 at 05:01 PM
Earlier this year I sang in Verdi Requiem in St. Paul's. Where we lined up in the North Choir were many large cases containing vestments. I took photos of the labels on two cases, one reading "Starwars Cope" and the other "Burse Veils" and "The Other Ones".
One of the joys of visiting Rome is buying socks for my husband at the Papal outfitters where their reds and purples are vibrant and glorious!
Posted by: ctussaud | 21 December 2008 at 07:50 PM
Hi,
Nice artwork.
Neat blog and Keep blogging.
:-)
http://www.iniww.com
Posted by: Bendz | 22 December 2008 at 02:00 PM