She, along with Sister Maria Camino Fernandez, OSA, Sister Carmen Miravalles, OSA, and Sister Monica Cano, OSA, were born in Spain and later became U.S. citizens. Sister Kuppe hails from Minnesota. The fabric used for the surplices is without a finished edge. The sisters determine the amount of space needed on the cloth for the bands of embroidery, count the horizontal threads to be pulled out to provide the space on the cloth, and then begin pulling. Some 1,600 embroidery stitches then are made per band on the vestments, she estimated.
Crosses also are embroidered on the cloth.
Like the cloistered life they live, their delicate handiwork remains hidden within the folds of the cloth until the light catches the silvery-gray thread, making the beautiful, intricate ornamentation shimmer. Sister Villar, who once ran a vestment-making department and is an artist in her own right, gently dismissed praise of their fine needlework. The nuns plan to complete all their work by Sunday, Jan. 10. Colo. When not working on materials for the papal event, the women religious do accept requests for making vestments and altar linens for other special events, such as a seminarian's ordination or a priest's ordination anniversary celebration. They also do repair work.