Clergy Stole Patterns

16-09-2021

Clergy Stole Patterns

In many careers, professionals sport a garment, patch, or other distinguishing piece of clothing to symbolize their credentials and positions within their field. In the religious spectrum, many professionals wear a liturgical vestment called a clergystole. Usually in the shape of a flat scarf, a clergy stole is worn mostly by members of Christian denominations, although other religions may also utilize the shawl.

1-16 of 137 results for 'clergy stole pattern' Price and other details may vary based on size and color 20 Simple and Elegant Vestment Patterns: With Complete Instructions for Pattern Making, Sewing, and Professional Finishing. When Ecclesiastical Sewing started to create our first line of clergy stole patterns, we decided that one stole pattern simply would not do. One vestment pattern could not fill every need imaginable when it comes to the world of clergy stoles.

A clergy stole is often made of silk, though it can also be created with cotton or other fabrics. It normally is seven and one half to nine feet (2.28 to 2.74 meters) in length and three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) wide. The ends of the religious stole can be straight or flared out to a wider width, depending on its type.

Clergymen and women wear the stole with the center flat against the back of the neck. This allows the long ends to drape down the wearer's body in a parallel fashion. These ends can either be worn in front of the body, either attached or tied together, or hanging loosely down the sides of the body. Depending on the denomination, there may be other specific variations to how the stole may be worn.

Church stoles are typically decorated to indicate the religion of the wearer. They may also feature special designs, patches or other embellishments to indicate any honors, positions, or levels of rank the wearer may have. Many Christian stoles feature a cross pattern somewhere in their design. Contrasting galloons, or an ornamental trim, and fringe can be used on the stole's ends as well.

Different colors are also used for clergy stoles. Most signify various holidays, such as a white stole being used for Christmas services. However, some denominations also use separate colors to differentiate between ranks or degrees held.

Some denominations also use a sweat guard to protect the clergy stole. These are often made out of lace or white linen. Rather than replacing a stole damaged by a clergy member's sweat, the usually white collar offers a cheaper and easier way to preserve the stole.

Originally, the clergy stole was a larger shawl that covered more of the body. Over time, it became narrower, with richer ornamentation to indicate a mark of respect or dignity for the wearer. Though stories of the origin of the clergy stole vary, most agree that the stole used today has history in the Imperial offices of the Roman Empire, where similar stoles were used to designate rank and honor.

How to Make a Stole

Step 1. Decide what color stole you want to make. This will depend on the timeof the church year or event you are making the stole for. If it is an ordination stole, you will want a red stole. If not, you will want to pick the color of stole that goes with the same season of the church year.

Below is a list of colors and their season or festivals.

White Stoles

White is for All Saint's Day,
Christmas,
Easter, and
any day remembering a non-martyred saint.

Green Stoles

Green is for the seasons of
Epiphany, and
Pentecost

Red Stoles

Red stoles are for
Reformation Day,
Pentecost Day, and

Any day remembering a martyred Saint.

Purple Stoles

Purple is the color for the penitential seasons of
Lent, and sometimes
Advent depending on your church.

Black Stoles

The Black stole is used solely on
Good Friday.

Step 2: Decide what design you want on your stole

You can put almost anything that would give glory to God on your stole, however, you may want to chose a design that would remind God's people what season of the church year they are in. For example, a Lenten stole could have a crown of thorns or nails. An Easter stole might have a Victorious Lamb or a butterfly to remind us of the resurrection. A red stole might have a dove and flames. You can chose any of our designs or supply your own. If you have an idea simply give us a call or send us an email.

Step 3 : Embroider your Stole

This is the part of stole making that takes the longest, but to me is the most rewarding. You can use any stitch that you want, but Sheri and I recommend using stitches that you feel comfortable with. My favorites are the popcorn stitch and the split stitch.
If you are new to embroidery, try checking out a book at the library or finding someone in your family or at church to teach you a few stitches. When I first started, I had a scrap piece of fabric that I practiced my stitches on before I began on my husband's stoles.

Step 4 : Wash and pin flat to dry if needed.

No matter how careful you may be, sometimes things just get on your stole while you are embroidering it. in my home the culprits either have four legs or are very short. There is usually no reason to panic if the area surrounding your embroidery is a bit dirty. if you find you need to wash your stole at this stage, simply wash it gently by hand using regular laundry detergent. Next lay it on a large bath towel and roll it up like a jelly roll to dry it just a bit. Then you will need to pin it flat. I use my cardboard cutting board and pull and stretch the fabric so that there is no more puckering around the embroidery. Then I leave it in a room where no sticky fingers or curious canines have access to dry.

Step 5 : Lay front and back pieces of stole right sides together.

If the satin is wrinkly, you may want to iron it first.

Step 6 : Pin front and back pieces together

I usually have the pins running along the length of the fabric, but if you want to put them perpendicular, that would be OK as well.

Step 7 : Baste Front and back pieces together

This step may sound unnecessary, but it is very important. The satin backing likes to shift when it is sewn. If you omit this step, you may have a bunched up back to your stole.
Besides, basting is easy. Just use any old thread (don't worry, you won't see it) and using big stitches sew the pieces together.

Step 8 : Cut neck piece

Lay the paper pattern on the top of one of the stole sides. Pin it down and carefully cut around the black line. Be sure you do not cut the bottom of the pattern. I did that once to my husband's white stole. I cried.

Step 9 : Sew right and left back sides together

Sew right and left front sides together. Press the seams flat.
One helpful hint with sewing the two satin pieces together is to put a pin further down the stole to keep the material further down from shifting. See the picture below.

Clergy Stole Pattern Free

Step 10 : Embroider cross on back of neck if desired

There are many ways to transfer designs, but I use this method. Print out a copy of our Crosses for Neck and cut out the cross you would like to use. Then punch holes in on outline of the cross. Pin the cross to the neck where you would like to embroider the cross. Use a pen to mark the holes and connect the dots. You can also use transfer paper.

Step 11 : Pin and baste front and back of neck together. ( see step 7)

Step 12 : Sew Stole

Using your sewing machine sew all the way around the stole leaving about a 3-4 inch hole for turning.

Step 13 : Snip around neck

Before you turn the stole inside out, it helps to make little snips all around the curved part of the neck. Be sure not to cut the seam. Also, snip the corners off the bottom

Step 14 : Turn stole right side out

This may be one of my favorite parts. It's like Christmas! Just push the inside part outside through the hole you left. To get a nice sharp corner, you may want to buy or borrow a turning tool. They are not very expensive, and I think the difference is worth it.

Step 15 : Press stole