Church Decorations For Easter

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 2

Church Decorations For Easter

I By

JAY GEE]

Many helpers will be called on to help with the decoration of churches this week, not only for Easter Day but also for the many weddings during the holiday period.

This is not an easy task, particularly in large churches with high ceilings and stained glass windows. If the arrangement is not boldly done it tends to merge into the background.

Over-elaborate arrangements look slightly out of place and it should be borne in mind, in any case, that intricate detail will not be seen by any except those in the front few rows. Before starting, it ■is important to have in a clear picture of what the completed arrangement will look like. The tall triangular arrangement shown in the* sketch uses leaves to shape the outline, with eight or nine carnations or small chrysanthemums further down and bigger flowers such as chrysanthemums f<y the centre. ’ A large vase, perhaps on a stand or pedestal so that the arrangement can be seen from the back of the church, will probably be used to give height and a bold outline. Securing Vases

Because of the weight of the big arrangement it may be wise to have a pinholder under the crumpled two-and-a-half inch mesh wire with which the tase is filled. It is most essential that this wire is firmly secured. If the arrangement is particularly large it may be desirable to wire the vase to its stand so there is no danger of its toppling over.

When a very deep vase is used newspaper may be pushed in before the Dinholder and the wire are put into place. This provides a false bottom, which is particularly useful when the stems of the flowers are no* long. Place the tallest branch of leaves upright at the back of the vase. Now take two other branches about iwothirds the length of the tallest (but not themselves of exactly the same length) and arrange them to go out on

either side, thus forming the basic triangle. Add more foliage within the outline of this triangle, bringing in the carnations as you work forward in towards the centre of the arrangement.

Place the large chrysanthemums to form a focal point in the centre. To finish, push in a few leaves lower down, coming forward and sweeping over the front of the vase so as to soften the effect of the arrangement. If the church has white walls, outline the arrangement with fine leafy sprays. In a building with dark walls, on the other hand lighter colours should be used. At this time of the year the golden autumn foliage will show up better than green leaves. To give depth in this tatter case, darker green leaves, such as laurel or rhododendron. may be worked in lower down against the background of the golden leaves, so they stand out as a contrasting colour. When arrangements are being done for a church, the techniques used in home decorating should be subordinated to the important principles of boldness and simplicity. (Copyright Reserved)