Goldwork Monstrance. Chalice Pall.
Hello there,
I wanted to share details of this project that I did back at the beginning of summer. A monstrance, as it is called, is the vessel where the consecrated Host is exposed for Adoration.
It had been an idea of mine to do one in goldwork. A few weeks before working on this piece, I took a workshop on palls. Now, a pall is a part the altar vestments. It’s what the priest uses to put on top of the Chalice during mass. The workshop included the materials for pall construction, and I decided to use the beautiful Irish linen to embroider the Monstrance and to turn it into a pall.
Goldwork Embroidery Monstrance for a chalice pall.
I didn’t have an actual pattern, and I couldn’t find a single one I liked. So I created my own from a couple of graphics I had in my collection of ecclesiastical patterns.
I started as usual, by transferring the pattern onto the fabric. To draw the perfect circle and rays, I helped myself with a geometry set. This is crucial. Once we start stitching, we tend to simply follow the lines, and if they aren’t straight, the result won’t be as neat.
Most of the work here is done with couching, but I also did some cut work and chipping. For the rays, I used fine Rococo, twist, and Japanese thread. I also used Japanese for the circle outside the host. The outline of the bottom and top of the Monstrance, were done couching down gilt pearl purl and the centre was filled with smooth purl, as well as the decorative 3 circles in the body. The base of the Monstrance is filled with bullions using the chipping technique.
I picked Rococo thread for the rays for it's wavy effect.
I wanted the rays to have a flames-like look. The Rococo and twist threads were the perfect choices for their wavy effect.
The Japanese threads in the circle were couched down in two rows on a brick pattern. If you look closely, there is another row of a thicker Rococo in the inner part of the circle. I added it intentionally to disguise the ending of the Japanese thread.
Finished Pall
Though sewing is not my thing, I ventured to finish the piece and turn it into a pall. I added a trim of Chantilly lace around, which I now think it was too wide.
I thought of keeping the piece for myself, as a model for future projects. After all, a pall with such amount of goldwork, wouldn’t be practical for an actual church as it can’t be cleaned. But what’s the point in keeping a piece like this for me? I decided to donated it to the chaplain of my daughters’ school who I’m sure he will keep and care for it.
I know the stitching is far from perfect, especially after looking at the closed up photos. They are many elements that contribute to the result. Here for instance, the layered linen, made the corners of the pall a little bulkier than I’d have liked. But then again, it’s all about the intention and the heart that creators put to their work.
I think of this as my very own original, since I came up with the pattern and I didn’t follow any instructions. I was, overall, very happy with the result. And I’m even happier to know that it was well received.
Once again, thanks so much for visiting. Please do not forget to subscribe to my mailing list to be on the loop of future finished projects. Blessings!
“The Eucharist is the sacrament of love: it signifies love, it produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life”
