Renewing a Torah Mantle

We've decided to go with a light coloured background fabric.   Here is the palette of contrasting colours (still missing a few): Here's a close up of the grain of the background: And here is the design cut out and pieced:

Here is a rough version of the design we have settled on for the new cover. It is entirely abstract, with no explicit Jewish symbols, but evokes rising light, which we think is appropriate.  Suzanne developed the design, inspired by a series of early water colours by Georgia OKeefe.  It would be rich colours on a dark background (probably navy) or a light ground . The pattern would wrap around the front and sides of the torah.  Here is an approximation of the whole design, before the panel is wrapped around the frame: Susan's approximation of Suzanne's design on a dark background Here is a sketch of the front view: Suzanne's design On a light background:

Here's how I made a mock-up of the top piece of the mantle (to go on wood head board once we have one).  In the final version, the board will be fabric covered on both sides, with a short band around the circumference that has a velcro strip for attaching the decorative panel. I made a cardboard stand-in for the wood (half the board), then cut out two pieces of quilted fabric the same size, and whip stitched to both sides of the board: I then cut out a piece of the outer fabric the size of the board + seam allowance, marking 2-1/2" circle cutout.  I cut a piece of facing to line the cut-out, and sewed along the cutting line: I trimmed out the center, and clipped the seam, then turned facing to the inside: facing turned to the inside right side I then cut a band roughly the circumference of the board, folded it lengthwise and sewed along the seam allowance.  This will be the part that will have the velcro to attach the decorative panel: ...

I've done some more research and learned some vocabulary. The scroll cover is also called a torah MANTLE, and the oblong-oval board at the top from which the cover is suspended is called the HEAD of the mantle. Here is one I found online  for $20. I also found out that in many cases the cover is attached to the HEAD by velcro.

Here is the wimple that Penny made to go with the original cover: It is approx 23" long x 2-1/2" wide cross stitch or needle point, lined with cotton.  Double hook & eye closure, 1-1/2" overlap when closed. If we make a new belt to go with the new cover, I would recommend using velcro, as it is much easier to close when dressing the torah, and more secure than hook & eye. (update at end of project:  we used both velcro and button + loop) .

Here is the lovely cover Penny made for our holocaust survivor torah scroll (appliqué on blue velvet):  Some detail of the appliqué: It is constructed as two panels of the same size, with side seams and slits, lined with white: The approximate dimensions of the panels (finished size) are 17-1/2" wide x 28-1/2" high.  In some places the appliqué is becoming frayed, and there is wear at stress points at the side seam opening. The platform The panels are attached to a fabric-covered rigid (wood?) platform 13-1/4" across, with cut out circles (2-1/2'' diameter), centers approx 4" from narrower ends: The platform is covered both sides in the blue velvet.  I'm not sure exactly how it's connected around the openings, at least partly hand-stitched? Nor can I see any side seams, as the side panels and lining cover the sides of the oblong.  (Was the oblong sewn along the outer edges, leaving a gap for turning right side o...