FABRIC  VESTMENTS in St Swithun’s Church. Click here to watch a slideshow of the fabrics described below

All the artwork on the vestments in St Swithun’s was painted on silk, using steam fix dyes which are dry cleanable. The fabric used for these vestments is Dupion Silk. The designs were by Yvonne Bell in conjunction with a small group from the parish.

GREEN SET –
this  design was based on a stained glass window effect with gold outlines. The high altar frontal shows the village with the sun rise above it. A small dove can be seen flying over the village. The Eagle of the Lord hovers over the whole scene.
The stole has a rainbow whilst the chasuble has the Glory of God radiating out of the cross. The cross can also be seen on the lectern fall, while the pulpit has a burst of light radiating on it. The nave altar fall has the Dove of the Holy Spirit flying over the countryside whilst the sheep inhabit the fields below.

GOLD SET –
There is a unique rainbow stained glass celtic cross design on the falls in this set. The words ‘Alleluia’ and ‘He is risen’ are on the banners which hang either side of the high altar. The cross has a white centre and background radiating light, whilst the colours echo the promise in Genesis of the rainbow covenant.
The banners have the wording ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Glory to God’ on them for the Christmas season.

PURPLE SET –
‘Make straight the paths in the wilderness’ can be clearly seen depicted in this set of vestments – a straight path and a winding path leading towards the cross. The altar frontal has the cross in the middle and so becomes a Lenten symbol whilst the fall has the Advent star. The chasuble is reversible with a crown of thorns ring on one side whilst the other side has the Advent star. These symbols are echoed in the lectern and pulpit falls.

RED SET –
These are all reversible, with Palm Sunday symbolism on one side and Pentecost on the other. The set for Palm Sunday shows two palm leaves below a cross with the crown of the King above the cross.
The Pentecost set shows the dove of the Holy Spirit within the flames and wind of the Holy Spirit.