The Deacon Stole

So I shared a week or so ago that I was going to make a stole for our church's new deacon, David. In our denomination's tradition, both pastors and deacons are rostered, ordained clergy leaders, though their training focus, and specific roles in the church differ. That said, they both wear stoles while serving, yet the stoles are quite different as well. Rather than around the back of the neck, with both ends hanging straight down the front like a pastor's stole, a deacon wears a stole draped diagonally across the body, starting over the left shoulder and fastened or tied at the right hip.

Fortunately, David had ordered a pattern for a deacon stole from Ecclesiastical Sewing, and gave it to me to use. He also loaned me the stole he wore at his ordination, and between the two, I came up with a pattern I felt comfortable with. I began by piecing four improv pieced slabs, each about 7.5" x 32", all in the improv style of the liturgical calendar triptych I finished in 2024. I made striped strips, flying loons, crosses, quarter circles, HRTs, four-patch, and improv curves, then pieced them all together.

One big difference between this stole and the ones I've made before, besides the style, is that 100% cotton canvas is suggested as an inner layer, rather than interfacing. I confess I was a little worried about the stiffness, but in reality, the thickness and suppleness of the three layers - pieced front, canvas, Kona Clover lining - felt really nice.

Piecing of the front aside, I was really surprised how much hand-stitching was involved! In the photo above, you might be able to see the hand basting which held the main fabric to the canvas while the rest of the stole was constructed. End to end, the stole measured about 96". The pattern had me machine stitch outside from shoulder seam to bottom on the front; then shoulder seam to bottom on the back. That left the inside long edges and ends to be tucked in and slip-stitched by hand. All in all, the method made for a very nice finish.

It was really difficult to get photos of the entire length of the stole, so hopefully you get the idea from these photos of it folded. As for the color, the second and third photos (more Kelly green) are a better reflection of the true color. 

Anyway, it was nice to try this new design, and especially meaningful to make it reminiscent of the liturgical calendar triptych that hangs in our worship space. Most of all, it was gratifying to be able to take it to David last Sunday, and see that it was a perfect fit!