The restored tabernacle

 

There it is in all its restored glory. Hard to believe it was in several pieces in my husbands office over the winter. Our priest could not wait until Easter to show it off. The weight is in the top part of this tabernacle.

I also sewed the red jacquard drapes and linens for Palm Sunday.

I had to use a blowtorch to get the old lacquer off. Still missed a part in the back but this was as good as I could get it without sending out to a professional. It cost only my time and elbow grease. it glows like gold like it was new.

I sewed the altar cloth as well. The old linens had not been replaced in over 30 years. It takes time to measure, sew and steam these new church linens.

The ambo with gold ribbon at the bottom. I am happy this all worked out. This was a huge responsibility for me to get all this done. My studio is a huge mess with all the polishing stuff, sewing stuff and my other interests, plus farm and puppy stuff. Yes, good thing I live on a farm, I can work in chaos and make it work for me.

Brass Tacks

I have been asked how I restore things. I take lots of photos as I take the item apart, label and bag all the parts and document it all.

I make sure the item is 100% brass is not magnetic before I proceed. I have several large and extra large stainless steel pans to boil the brass in a pool of vinegar until the lacquer falls off. Indoors this makes it hard to breathe so if you can do outside do it. Also, old lacquer gets all over everything when it boils off.

This is thick old lacquer that is peeling and shedding. However I used a torch to burn off this hard lacquer.

All the pieces ready for polish with 0000 steel wool ,the alcohol to remove grease then lacquer by Mohawk and put back together again.

I use these buffers on a drill for extra shine.