St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

Silk paper or felt is created by fusing together loose silk fibers with a textile medium. The resulting fabric has a texture much like leather.

This cover incorporates silk paper from white Bombyx silk, honey colored Tussah silk and dark cinnamon dyed Tussah silk. It also features both the smooth and the rough sides of a fine leather. The design is a copy of the handmade tile design found in the furnishing of the sanctuary, which was originally adapted from a coverlet weaving design. The tiles were created by Jim Halvorson of Bloomington, IN.

St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

Using commercial fabric from Guatemala and the United States, plus handwoven dyed chennille fabric from the loom of Suzanne Halvorson, Bloomington, IN, Patsy created this award winning, three dimensional, center hanging.

The original design hangs from a triangular hanging devise. The tops of the flames are sewn upon black netting, then the three points come together with a clip. The large centers of the flames are open and allowing large dangling sequins to move with the air currents. Each of the three flame banners are slightly different.

La Iglesia San Marcos, Chipiacul, Guatemala

St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

This collaborative banner hangs both in a small church in Chipiacul, Guatemala, and in St Thomas Lutheran Church of Bloomington, Indiana, to celebrate the Sister Parish relationship between the churches.

Patsy created the design and did the machine applique work. The background is commercial Guatemalan fabric and handwoven pieces are from her own stash and Suzanne Halvorson’s handwoven stash.

Lutheran Campus Ministry Chapel, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

Here is an altar, lectern, and pulpit set, woven by Patsy from commercial wool yarns.

The altar piece illustrates the triune nature centered in the cross and the new life that it supports with the simple food of the Euchrist. The lectern piece reflects the miracle of baptism and the pulpit reflects the promise that is always with us. The balanced weave tapestry style lends itself to weaving in a border on all four sides.

St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

These Lenten Banners show the crown of thorns which our Lord – the King of Kings and Prince of Peace accepted, and his royal robes forever marked by the wounds he bore for our sins.

The banner has a large crown of thorns; made from natural color linen, supported by black netting, outlined in red. The circular crown of thorns surrounds the frame which holds the three drapes. Patsy dyed and wove the chennille using various purples but ending in crimson. These drapes fall from the three support arms, and vary in length from 6 to 8 feet.

St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

Working in collaboration with Suzanne Halvorson, a weaver of Bloomington, IN, Patsy created this processional banner for the Easter Festival.

The original design is appliqued on handwoven fabric and includes two sets of windchimes which ring as it is processed triumphantly in on Easter morning and solemnly out on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

The banner hangs proudly below the cross during the Easter and Christmas seasons.

Three 6 foot long fabric streamers, are attached to a circular ring. Three sets of chimes are hung from the ring in-between each streamer. The ring is then hung horizontally from a “shepherd’s hook” style pole. Two sets were created and stand at attention on both sides of the pulpit when they are not being processed.

Used in conjuction with the Alleluia banner for processionals, they call the congregation to worship with their delightful sounds. Their simple ringing is very special when used to lead the congregation around the church on the night of the Easter vigil procession.

St. Thomas Lutheran ELCA, Bloomington, IN, USA

This is another collaboration with Suzanne Halvorson, Bloomington, IN

The empty Easter cross is surrounded by small symbols of the great cloud of witnesses that proclaim the risen Christ. The original design is a on the handwoven fabric.

It is one of three banners which hang from the triangular support system.