Altar cloths

The altar is the place of consecration and the table of the Lord around which God’s people are called to gather during Mass. White, the color chosen for the altar cloth, emphasizes the sacredness and purity of this place. Using the tablecloth every day serves to underscore the importance of celebrations such as Good Friday where the altar is left bare or festive occasions where in addition to flowers and important candelabra, a more solemn tablecloth is preferred.

What fabric is used for altar cloths?

Already with Pope Sylvester I it is specified that the tablecloth cannot be made of any fabric other than linen or hemp, even if it is better in terms of ease of cleaning or is otherwise pure white in color. The materials we use to make our tablecloths are pure linen and hemp, both of which are natural fabrics whose beauty and durability remain unchanged over the years, ensuring a long product life.
Above all, both linen and hemp tablecloths enhance the beauty of hand embroidery, the main feature of our altar cloths.

Hand embroidered altar cloths

Hand embroidery embellishes our altar linens. We make altar tablecloths with Richelieu stitch, hemstitch, golden embroidery and hand made laces. The embroidery varies according to the occasion for which a tablecloth is to be made: for example, in solemn situations such as Easter, Christmas, a wedding, the inauguration of a new church, or a patronal feast day, more elaborate embroideries are preferred, which, in addition to classic liturgical motifs, may also depict symbologies inherent to the feast. The style of the church or chapel, whether ancient or modern, can also influence the embroidery of the tablecloth, for example, tablecloths for family cemetery chapels have a sober style and delicate embroidery.
Then there are altars dedicated to Mary or saints, whose tablecloths may bear Marian symbols or symbols related to the saint being venerated.
Our tablecloths enrich the altars of many Churches and Basilicas around the world, including the Altar of Confession at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and for the Chair of St. Peter.

How to order a custom altar cloth?

We make custom-made altar tablecloths, even customized with your own design upon request. Altar tablecloths for churches, basilicas and chapels can be of various shapes depending on the type of altar.
By filling out this formulary, you can request a free quote for your custom-made altar cloth.