I make custom, one-of-a-kind liturgical vestments, working most often in silk and other luxury fabrics. My work has been shown in exhibitions of liturgical art since 1992, and occasionally I have taught construction techniques.
Over the last twenty years I have created altar frontals, bishops’ mitres, processional copes and chasubles and stoles, in addition to burses, chalice veils, book covers, pulpit falls and other paraments.
I enjoy using quilting techniques as the springboard for construction of items, and painting, dyeing and embellishing fabrics. Free-form bead collage, gold work and other laid work as well as custom made piping have all been part of the embellishments in my work.
Overall, clients can expect sound liturgical perspective, technical excellence and artistic innovation when they commission me to provide vestments.
To work with me – prospective clients should know
In-person and on-site contacts are a priority.
I personalize the work I do wherever possible, using vintage fabrics and re-using historic embellishments or using local motifs where appropriate
I usually expect to visit a commissioner-group initially to consult, brainstorm and establish the relationship, then again where possible to present a design, and then at the completion of a project to install and confirm satisfaction with the work.
Whether a stole or a full set of seasonal vestments, the work I do involves substantial time and effort to produce the ideal result. Clients can expect to invest substantially at the time of consultation and again when a design is agreed. A “fabulous, statement stole” may see a fee of $1000, and a full set of seasonal vestments would begin at $10,000.
Until 2013, I worked solo to produce the items commissioned by individuals and groups. Beginning in 2014, large projects will require that I contract the services of skilled persons to assist me with sewing.
I have recently begun to explore the possibilities of sharing the work of construction with persons/groups designated by commissioning individuals or agencies. It is possible that I could design, make patterns and direct the skilled needleworkers in on-site visits and by video conference. This process is in early development, but I anticipate that this will allow a parish to feel a greater sense of involvement by actually constructing parts of their new vestments.