Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Baptism Gowns & Church Garments

By Pastor Callee Christiana Worthe


The term Church Robes is a catch-phrase for many things. Under that heading you will see a long list of items for a long list of purposes. Of course there are the expected Robes for Choir, Pulpit, and gowns for Baptism, but there is also a long list of other applications, including: tunics, stoles for clergy, deacons, and clerics. Add to that: capes, cassocks, clergy shirts, clerical collars, clergy jackets, vests, shirt fronts, surplices, albs, vestments, chasubles, copes, mitres, and Bishop's wear. Whew! What a list.

Church Robe Details

Truly Church Robes is a very large category, and the subject can overwhelm you for the church volunteer or staffer who is given the task - "Hey, order some new choir robes..." one short call - "We'll take 25 white ones." No, now there are choices which include professional garments for women and men ministers - dresses and albs are also a part. Some vendors who specialize in this category also sell judicial apparel.

Church robes Church robes and Clerical attire features Include: Personalized Embroidery - church names, and embroidered front initials, sleeves, collars, and hems Specialty Fabric and Design - Brocade, and Ribbon accents. Materials include Egyptian Cotton, Silk, Linen, Satin Washable - some dry cleaning is suggested for finer fabric, cotton, blends & polyester are washable; then come the overlays - also specialty fabrics; some with tassels, and fringes, and jingle bells jumping porpoises (ok I made up the bells). There are fitted two-piece yokes with decorative cord, fluting, and buttons on back; front panels to support and conceal zipper closures; Floor Clearances 5" to a foot, some floor lengths are Custom designed to fit your exact height; Satin Tapestry Fleur Bands, also often combined with gold metallic highlights & fleur banding, and unbelievably that is only half!

Every Fabric Has a Purpose

Throughout the entire process of finding our new robes, I think I probably heard the office admins tossing ideas back and forth who knows how many times; "What about these?" or, "What do you think of this one?" My personal taste is very simple when it comes to functional garments - they should start at the neck, and work their way down 'til they cover everything that needs covering. A baptismal Gown should only have two qualities; it needs to cover me for a little while, and it has to dry fast.

Others have a taste for the ornate and glamorous, and that's fine, me, not so much. All things considered the choices are endless, and some intern will probably be the final decision-maker which is fine with me. I do know this, if they have to do the looking, make sure you give that admin 3 things: plenty of time, a large budget, and a generous Starbucks gift card!




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