The Ecclesiastical Vestment & Embroidery Guild

Mission

To provide vestments and paraments to missions, churches, and clergy by keeping alive the Medieval arts of ecclesiastical embroidery and vestment making.

History

The Ecclesiastical Vestment and Embroidery Guild of the Diocese of New Jersey came into being in the 1950’s under the artistic hand of Mrs. Florence L. Fluckinger, a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield. She shared her skill of ecclesiastical embroidery with women representing churches of several denominations. Florence taught classes twice a month which were open to any interested person. Novices were trained without fee, which remains the same today.

Resources

Churches and clergy may place an order for their vestments and /or altar needs. Patrons pay only for the cost of supplies plus a small donation. Thus, for a substantial saving, churches and clergy can obtain beautiful handmade embroidery in the same tradition that dates back to Medieval time. There were plenty of Children’s embroidery designs as well. The trained guild volunteers sew, embroider or make repairs depending on the work to be done.

What We Do

• Teach—individuals and workshops
• Design & Make—vestments & paraments for missions, churches, and clergy around the world. Make—vestment & embroidery kits
• Remake—worn-out vestments & paraments
• Learn—there’s always more to learn. Beginners are more than welcome!

Up Coming Events

Locations and time subject to change. Please confirm before attending.

• The Ecclesiastical Vestment and Embroidery (EVE) Guild (DoNJ)
  • Instruction in Medieval embroidery and vestment construction
    2nd & 4th Mondays: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (Sept–May; Summer hours vary)
  • Saint Paul’s, Westfield, NJ
  • Bring a lunch, Tea & Coffee provided
  • Contact: Barbara Nichols, Directress (Cell) 908-420-9679;
    (Email) tbmee@aol.com
• The Ecclesiastical Vestment and Embroidery (EVE) Guild (Monmouth Chap)
  • Instruction in vestment construction, church linens and embroidery support
  • 1st Monday: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm (Sept–May; Summer hours vary)
  • Christ Church Shrewsbury, NJ
  • Bring a lunch, Tea & Coffee provided
  • Contact: Judi Buncher (Cell) 732-861-0249; (Email) jmenut@msn.com or
  • Dcn. Karen Reeman (Cell) 732-933-1882; (Email) kbreeman@juno.com

Presentations

The DoNJ EVE Guild has provided needlework for churches around the world and for the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Numerous churches and missions in our diocese have been touched by the ministry of DoNJ EVE. In addition, DoNJ EVE has created a dossal for the chapel at The Evergreens in Moorestown and a seventeen piece set of vestments for St. John the Baptist Convent (Episcopal) in Mendham.

Guild members are available to give presentations for your church or women’s group. For more information contact:

Barbara Nichols, Directress
(Cell) 908-420-9679
(Email) tbmee@aol.com

Recent Events

Recently completed a project? Share your creation with us!
Send photo and description to Dcn. Karen Reeman.