How to Make a Catholic Chapel Veil

The chapel veil is a variation on a triangular kerchief.

A Catholic chapel veil is a triangle of flat lace with a edging of lace trim. They are a small version of a traditional lace mantilla. These small veils became popular when women stopped wearing hats or bonnets every time they went out. A lace veil folds compactly and does not wrinkle, so it is easy to carry. With a veil in her handbag a woman was always prepared to enter a church, even though she no longer wore a hat on a daily basis.

Things You'll Need

• Lace fabric
• Yard stick
• Scissors
• Scalloped lace trim
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Cut a 30-inch square from lace fabric.

2. Cut the square in half diagonally.

3. Pin scalloped lace trim around all three edges of the triangle. The rounded edge of the scallops should be on the outside. Fold under the last half inch of the trim to create a finished edge.

4. Sew the trim to the scarf with a medium zigzag stitch. Stitch along the inside edge of the lace trim.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lace trim has deep scallops, you may wish to trim away the edges of the lace fabric that extend beyond the seam.