Wilmslow seamstress creates sewing oasis to meet demand for priests’ vestments and altar cloths

A seamstress whose skill at embroidering vestments for Catholic priests and church altar cloths is in such demand that she's created a special sewing oasis in her garden.

Dorothy McCarthy says the outdoor room will enable her to continue her passion for sewing and embroidery, supplying clergy and churches, without cluttering up her home in Wilmslow.

A student of the Royal School of Embroidery, Dorothy and her husband Frank began looking for extra space as her hobby grew and chose a purpose-built garden room.

Dorothy, a former teacher, is thrilled with her new space. She said: "I really love my new garden room, it's so light and airy and has plenty of space to lay out all my garments, sewing machines and all the other equipment I need.

"We did lots of research and even considered building over the garage. Then we found Rubicon Garden Rooms and they've done a terrific job - we're delighted."

Dorothy explained how her hobby grew out of her religious beliefs.

She said "We are Catholics and attend the Latin Mass at our church and joined the Latin Mass Society. Members got to know that I could sew and I began to be asked to repair vestment robes worn by the priests.

"This expanded to altar cloths, houseling or communion cloths, and soft furnishings in priests' houses.

"One of my projects involved repairing and making curtains and cushions for a well-known church in Merseyside. The 'Dome of Home' or St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in New Brighton, Wirral, had a flood in the kitchen and lots of furnishings had to be thrown out so, along with other volunteers, I've helped to make it liveable again."

The sewing room, which is six and a half metres by four metres, has been carpeted and equipped with lots of storage space by Dorothy and Frank, a retired BBC audio manager.

Frank, a member of Wilmslow Town Council and vice president of Wilmslow Dean Rotary Club, said: "The garden room is incredible, we are delighted with it. It's also low maintenance, which is very appealing and is a lovely place for Dorothy to do her sewing in peace."

Photo: Dorothy McCarthy with her new sewing room at her home in Wilmslow, where she creates vestments for Catholic priests.

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Sunday 5th November 2017 at 3:53 pm
Beautiful workmanship.