Materials

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You need little more than a needle, thread, and a piece of fabric on which to embroider, but there are some materials I prefer over others. Below are lists of my favorite materials to use, though none of these are paid endorsements, rather things I like.

resources

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These are a few of my favorite resources, including stitch tutorials, online shops, free patterns, etc. As I find other little treasures, I’ll add to the list. I’m always interested in learning more about embroidery and Church linen resources, so if you know of something that you don’t see here, please let me know about it!

Education & Patterns

• Mary Corbet’s Needle ‘n Thread
  A great resource for tutorials, free patterns, product reviews, and general knowledge. I recommend Mary’s site to anyone who needs to look up something embroidery related.
• Saint Martha’s Guild, Restoring the Art of Liturgical Needlework
  I love this site. One look at the home page and you’ll see why. It is one of my all time favorite resources.
• Church Linens
  A lot of quality information on linens, but you’re going to have to dig through the text to find it. Still, Elizabeth has a wealth of knowledge and there’s plenty to learn from her.

Retail Stores

• Hoop & Frame
  Where I like to purchase my Au Ver a Soie® silks and Hardwicke Manor Hardwood hoops. Great customer service and quick to fulfill orders.
• Needle In A Haystack
  They offer a huge selection of embroidery goods, from threads to frames. I find it easier to use their site knowing exactly what I need rather than browsing the extensive selection online.
• Hobby Lobby
  They carry the Kona® Cotton in a variety of colors and often run sales on fabric. They also carry DMC cotton threads. I can purchase the acid-free artists mounting board for finishing my embroideries here too.
• JOANN Fabric
  Tends to be a little more expensive than Hobby Lobby, but they are more focused on sewing-related notions than crafts in general, so if I can’t find it elsewhere I’ll look here.

Linen

Linen resources are abundant, but high-quality, fine linen for ecclesiastical use is becoming more and more difficult to source. I’ve compiled a list of sources known to me, though I have not ordered from all of them. I would recommend ordering a sample from any source before committing to yardage.

• Ecclesiastical Sewing
  I have used their Radiance Optic White and the Renaissance Linens. The Radiance Optic White is an excellent choice for altar linens or maniturgia.
• FabricDirect
  I have not ordered from this source, but know of some who have made albs and other items from their handkerchief weight linen.
• Fabric-Store
  Good prices and a nice selection of colors and weights. I have used their linen for home projects, and would consider one of their white linens for a maniturgium on a budget.
• La Lame, Inc.
  I have not order from this source, but they have come highly recommended from vestment makers.

Vestments & Liturgical Linens

There are some wonderful Catholic artisans making vestments and liturgical linens. Here are a few companies worth a look:

• Altarworthy, handmade vestments
• Sacra Indumenta, bespoke vestments, liturgical accessories, Mass linens, etc.
• Via Providence, ecclesial textiles, handmade liturgical & devotional items, etc.