Alter Cloth Restoration

I was asked if I could make a new alter cloth to replace the rather disreputable Victorian one that Christ Church Scottish Episcopal church in Lochgilphead, currently uses.

The embroidered medallions, although worn in parts, are still rather lovely, the embroidery silks and appliqued fabrics have faded gently.

The tasseled silk edging was apparently made by hand in France and now cannot be replaced in this exact pattern.  We will have to choose a new one.
Can you see the fren knots dotted around the cord spirals, almost like little bees.

You can see the french knots more clearly here, and some of the many darned patches.

The central panel, below.  This is going to take a while to unpick & restitch!

This strange goldy brown fabric of the side panels was once green.

We have asked a local curtain maker to make the frontal and I will be unpicking the embroidered pieces for transferring on to the new cloth.   Not sure yet when I'll be beginning this job.  I think it will take quite some time!
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