Liturgical Vestments
Liturgical Vestments & Embroidered Linens by Jean Gascoigne
Thank you for visiting my Liturgical Vestments & Linens page.
Hand-crafted in my studio near York, I make bespoke Vestments and Church Linens that serve to beautify the sacred liturgy in Churches, Abbeys and Cathedrals.
Whether you need a specific colour, design, or fabric, I will help you create a unique and personalised Vestment that reflects your style and personality.
I offer a personalised service and will work with you to fit your style, size & budget.
Chasubles, Stoles and Church Linens are crafted using the highest quality fabrics and trimmings in all liturgical colours.
As a bespoke cottage business that creates individual vestments with personalized embroidered designs “on demand”, I regret that ready-made vestments and Linens are not kept “in stock.
Please Note: Custom Vestments will need a certain amount of time before they are ready to ship.
All Vestments I create will offer years of service for Liturgical Use. So whether you’re a priest, deacon, or other member of the clergy, I invite you to contact me to discuss your requirements.
Contact Jean to make an enquiry
Shown on this page is a sample of a recent Chasuble and Stoles made for the Abbot and Brothers of the Benedictine Order, at Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor, Northern Ireland.
Creation Story Chasuble
This Chasuble features a unique panel of images telling the Creation story that I created specifically for the front of this garment. On the reverse side is a ‘Tree of Life’ embroidered in gold coloured thread.
Matching stoles were also produced, carrying the ‘Tree of Life’ design in gold coloured thread.
St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Whitehead Diocese of Connor,
receives new communion linens,
plus lectern falls and a matching stole for the Rector.
Rev Canon Mark Taylor comments on Jean’s work
“Close up, in real life, the white veil has the merest hint of gold and silver in the white embroidery threads that really make the embroidery stand out. More than anything it’s the attention to detail in each piece that makes them special. The older set were all faded from years of sun light. These are really vibrant. It is a stunning gift that we really value, for it reminds us of wonderful friends".
Rev Canon Mark Taylor
dedicates the new Church Linens
St Patrick's Church Whitehead
upholds an ancient tradition
From the time of the ancient Hebrew priesthood and its vestments, there have been textiles, weavings and embroideries made exclusively for the service of God. Early Christian art and writings attest to the continuity of such liturgical vestments and the presence of ornate embroidery in the beginning of the Church.
“Liturgical Linens and Vestments should be seen as works of art. They enhance the beauty of a celebration, not only by their colour, but by the way they drape the altar, lectern and minister. They should add to the majesty of a procession, or the solemnity of the ‘Eucharist”. (Fr. Timothy Deeter, Vestments: Friends, not enemies. 2009)
Underlining the importance placed by the church on vestments and embroidered linens, they are always blessed before their first use adding to their sacredness. Thereafter they are generally handled with care and stored well when not in use, not stuffed into a crammed cupboard or carelessly tossed onto a shelf in the vestry!
But even with careful attention, liturgical linens and garments can become tired and worn out with use over many years. Linens that are exposed to sunlight and dust, especially suffer, particularly the linens used during the longer periods of ordinary time. Such was the case at St Patricks Church, Whitehead, where the green linens had become very faded and tired looking.
Jean Gascoigne, a former contestant on BBC’s ‘Great British Sewing Bee’, decided after the show to channel her creative talents to making bespoke Liturgical Vestments and Linens, aided by the new 10 needle embroidery machine she has acquired.
Jean’s first project was to create a chasuble and stoles for the Benedictine Monks at Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor. For the decoration she came up with a design based on the story of Creation from the Book of Genesis. Her next project was closer to hand as Jean directed her talent to making a new set of green communion linens, plus matching lectern hangings and Minister’s stole, for use at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Whitehead, as a way of thanking the Rector, Rev Canon Mark Taylor and congregation for their kindness and friendship.After discussion with the Rector on the theme for the embroidery, it was agreed that the church logo, incidentally designed by Jean’s partner who belongs to the church, should be featured, as it perfectly symbolised elements that are central to the church and parish, namely a Celtic cross for St Patrick’s Church and eagle for St John’s Church, accompanied by shafts of light shining from the centre, to symbolize the Whitehead Lighthouse and also the light that comes from the spreading of the Gospel.
Photographs show the linens being dedicated for use by Rev Canon Taylor.
Jean admits “I find immense pleasure and fulfilment creating sacred vestments and linens designed for the service of God and it is a great joy to see my work being used in a place of worship”
Jean has now been invited to produce a chasuble and altar hangings etc for St Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Washington DC. Jean’s work can be viewed on her website: www.arttherapyworks.uk
A gift of beauty and remembrance at St Nicholas’, Carrickfergus Tuesday 10th March 2026
