When the word is used in Russia to describe an ecclesiastical item, then it has the meaning of a long band of cloth covering an icon. The ubrus, in its simpler form, was laid over the top of an icon with the ends hanging down on either side of the image. Traditionally, this form of ubrus was embroidered at the ends of the band with a powdering of motifs in the centre.
Over time, more elaborate versions developed that were used during important celebrations, such as the Easter and Christmas services. The elaborate form of the ubrus was normally made of up to five pieces of cloth that were sewn together to resemble a frame. There was a broad horizontal band at the top, which was in fact a sort of pocket into which the upper edge of the icon was slipped. From either side of this top band were hung two long, narrower bands that flanked the long edges of the icon. At the bottom of these vertical bands were sewn squares, one on each side.
The broad horizontal band at the top and the two squares at the bottom of the vertical bands were made of the same material and normally embroidered with the same pattern. The two side bands were again made of the same material and decorated with the same, usually embroidered pattern (but different from the top and bottom bands). The general effect was of a three-sided frame imitating a simple cover draped over an icon.
In addition to the elaborate ubrus, a large rectangular piece was sometimes hung along the lower edge of the icon. This extra piece was called the hanging veil. The more elaborate ubrus and hanging veil might be decorated with silk embroidery, applied bracteates, gems, pearls, gold and silver tassels, and so forth. Suitable designs for such elaborate forms of icon covers included the Mother of God (the Virgin Mary), Christ, St. Sophia, the Annunciation, Life of Christ and the Virgin and the Passion. Examples of ubrus dating back to the sixteenth century can be found in various Russian museums.
Source: TOLMACHOFF, Eugenia (1947). 'Ancient Russian ecclesiastical embroideries,' Bulletin of the Needle and Bobbin Club, vol. 31, pp. 3-56, esp. pp. 9-12. Download here.
GVE