Design, Creation, and Care of Stoles:

Jan Laurie of Nanaimo, B.C., Canada is creating stoles for worship leaders. Stoles are worn for sacramental leadership within the Christian church. She makes one style of stole in all colours of the Christian church year. Please refer to the photos.

These carefully created art stoles contain elements of surprise & joy. They read strongly from a distance and reveal many surprises when viewed closely. Using a painterly touch with predominantly natural fabrics, the shades wash upwards from dark to light. Scripture passages and other key words are stamped in the background using antique stamps and fabric inks. The panel is then overlaid with stitching, metallic threads, ribbons, braids & netting. Silk noille is the ivory coloured fabric used in the body of the stole. Using a technique she calls ‘fabric assemblage’ & working in an abstract style she depicts a sense of the Spirit’s movement over the liturgical colour of the season.

She hopes the range of expression that is possible using this approach will nurture inspiration in both wearer and viewer.

The fabric art for the stoles is first created as a larger panel. Each stole is then cut from this panel so no two stoles are the same. So, the art in your stole will be linked with other stoles which will be worn by clergy from other denominations and places, a reminder that the body of Christ is larger than our individual worshipping congregations. It takes the Spirit working through all parts of the church to make a whole. Just as we share in the art, we share in God’s work and grace.

Each stole is a work of art and comes with an Artist’s Statement and description about the season(s) you have chosen.

Each stole has a cross at the back of the neck except the blue advent stole which has a blue star.

Caring for Your Stole:

Dry cleaning is recommended when cleaning is necessary. Stoles may be ironed with medium heat.

Inclusive Language:

Scripture passages are taken from the New Revised Standard Version with its use of inclusive language referring to people. Jan endeavors to use the full range of biblical images for God.