Notes from beneath the veil

Glad for distractions this week, I wanted to take a few minutes to post a link to Jen Fulwiler's Lenten experiment with wearing a veil.  Do go read it for yourself - her reasoning and reflection on the experience are both funny and beautiful (as always).

As a life-long seamstress, diy-er, and all-around cheapskate though, I have to admit that my first thought was "that veil would be so easy to make!"  The original came from this etsy shop, and at only $35 is a great deal, but if you'd like one right away for whatever reason, I have some suggestions here.

First of all, if you'd like the same concept, but don't want lace, you can find a nice tutorial on sewing your own infinity scarf here.

If you do want to make one of lace, it's even easier.

1. Go to your local fabric store and find a soft lace with one or two finished edges.  For this basic version, you fabric will be somewhere between 45 and 60 inches wide.  (54" is also a common width.)
2. Determine the length you want the scarf to be.  From the tutorials I'm finding, 54-60 inches seems to be a good length.  Since you'll be cutting along the length of the fabric, this is the amount you'll purchase.
3. Cut the fabric in half lengthwise.  You'll have two pieces, each with one finished scalloped edge and one cut edge.  If you prefer, the pictorial directions at the bottom may be helpful.
4. Sew the short edges together by hand or by machine.  Make the seam as neat as possible, since it will show (at least a little).  Again, owning a sewing machine is not necessary for this project!  You can find tips for sewing with lace in this Church Lady post.
5. You can hem the unfinished edge of your veil if you'd like, but since many laces don't ravel it may not be necessary.
6. That's it!  Oh, one more thing - you may have noticed by now that you have enough here for two veils.  The second one is for a friend.  (Aren't you wonderful!)

A question from a reader

I am on a mission to provide chapel veils for free to anyone who is interested in wearing them.  I've been buying on ebay, vintage, and my wallet just won't tolerate it anymore =)  I sew.  I know I can make them.  What I need are patterns or size suggestions.  I've seen the shell type, your D shape, the large circles and have quite a few of the triangular mantilla on hand.  I'd like to make some for young girls and was thinking the large circle or maybe an oval shape that would cover hair but be off the shoulders would be a good way to go.  That is also a good shape for moms with squirmy babies =)  Is it really just a big circle or is it oval in shape?

You can go to our archives to find more on working with lace or veils in general, but I also found very nice directions here, some general guidelines here, and etsy is always a source of inspiration.

I've also made something like this from a pattern I bought.  (I can't remember the manufacturer off hand, but it is definitely something I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. These free online directions look pretty much the same.)  You can fold up the lace to wear it as a regular headband, and fan it out during Mass.

As always, we'd love to get your suggestions as well.  Just leave them in the comments box!

Spotted at the Conference

I know there's a bit of a hidden language in chapel veils with white indicating one is single and black for married women. If that's the case, however, I'm wondering what some of these are saying.

A Lace Primer

I hope you're not tired of lace yet because I have one more link for you. My original intent was to begin all this lace craziness with a bit of a primer on the wide world of options. Not surprisingly, in the middle of collecting photos and descriptions I found someone had already done it.

Check out Lace Fairy's impressive collection at her site. Have you ever wondered what Tunisian lace looks like? Where to find a lace shop in Cyprus? The history of Chinese lace? She's got it. She also has over 100 types of lace sorted alphabetically with lots of photos and clear descriptions.

More veil ideas

There are lots of beautiful veils available (most with copyrighted photos so I won't use them here), but you can apply the principles from my post earlier this week to create many of them at home.

The foundation fabric most commonly used for veils is tulle, a fine netting typically made of silk or nylon. Nylon tulle is very inexpensive and comes in a variety of widths, up to 108 inches. Because it will not ravel when cut, it's perfect for this use.

This one starts with 72" or 108" width tulle. Cut a rectangle the length you want for your finished veil and then generously round the bottom. Hand sew the trim onto it according to yesterday's directions. To finish it, gather the top edge with a running stitch and sew it to a plastic comb (or two).

This one is a large oval of tulle with lace sewn around the perimeter. (Probably 72" width, but measure from one elbow, over your head to the other elbow for an accurate diameter.) It's worn just draped over her head, without a comb in photo 2. To wear it like photo 1, hand sew it to a plastic comb under the lace at the center top. To reinforce the lace, you could sew a piece of satin ribbon between the comb and the underside of the veil.

Instead of a lace edge, this one has a narrow, satin ribbon machine sewn about 1/2" from the edge of the tulle. After you attach the ribbon, trim the extra tulle edge away and attach it to a comb, headband, wreath, or hair clip.

This edge is finished with a narrow, satin rattail cord. Simply lay the cord on top of your tulle, about 1/2 inch from the cut edge, and use a zig-zag stitch and clear nylon thread or matching cotton/poly or rayon thread made for lightweight fabrics. Your stitch width should be wide enough that the zig-zag goes on either side of the cord, but not through it. Carefully cut the extra tulle off the edge without cutting through the stitching, and finish the veil with some kind of comb, etc.

This helpful site gives measurement suggestions, but there are also patterns with detailed instructions available.

Making a veil can be a very satisfying project. Besides the potential to save a lot of money, even a novice seamstress can get beautiful results.

On the market for an Easter hat?

The Church Ladies' friend QM has found an interesting mantilla vendor. Check out Headcoverings by Devorah, where modesty does not mean frumpy!

Image: The Repentant Magdalene

The Veil-Along begins

The Ravelry group KnitCatholics' Veil-Along starts today. Join us as we knit or crochet chapel veils!

[image source]

Classy and Fabulous

My youngest Church-Lady-in-training was recently blessed to attend a very girly retreat. Among the recommended resources she got there was Eliza, a fashion magazine "created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. Eliza strives to bring you the best of fashion without any of the trash. We will not uncover the sexual secrets to make him want you, promote people who are glitz with no substance, or glorify lifestyles that we know do not bring happiness. We are dedicated to finding up-and-coming fashion lines, showcasing pieces that are worth the big price tags, and discover deals that are just as hip at your local low-end department stores−along with presenting articles on uplifting entertainment, current issues, creative ideas, and life in general."

It's beautifully produced with an interesting mix of features like History Repeats Itself (my issue is all about the style of Grace Kelly), an article entitled New York Women in their Favorite Skirts, some music and movie reviews and even a few serious articles. Their archives have some particularly interesting articles on fashion history. (Ever wonder where the little black dress came from?) Some of the advertisers have a decidedly Salt Lake City flair, but not that's not evident in the magazine at all.

My favorites:
Funky Frum is "the place to shop for stylish modest apparel. We offer a collection of trendy modest clothing and the basics including modest tops and tees, layering pieces, below-the-knee and long skirts, suits and modest dresses that won't compromise your femininity and contemporary sense of style." (That PERFECT hat pictured above is from this site.)

Check here for slips that are meant to be shown.

Veils and more

The Church Ladies have different takes on chapel veils. Some wear them always, others only at the Extraordinary Form, and some fall in between on the chapel veil spectrum. But we all agree that every Church Lady needs a veil for her wedding (and First Communions, for those Church Ladies in training). In fact, rumor has it a certain Church Lady was denied the opportunity to wear a veil at her First Communion, and will be seizing the day at her upcoming wedding...

Permit me to introduce Halo Works, and its founder, the delightful Maureen. From First Communions to Quinces to weddings and funerals, Maureen has veils for every occasion. There is even an easy wear category for the mantilla inept (like me, who ends up with a chapel bandanna by the end of Mass). Maureen's veils are beautifully made- some even come from Spain! If you don't see quite what you are looking for, Maureen will be happy to design a custom wedding veil (as she is for me). She searched tirelessly to find samples that would match my ivory dress. Halo Works also stocks other Catholic goods and gifts.

The wedding veil is more than an accessory; it has deep religious significance:
The next morning finds mother and daughter for the last time in their intimate closeness. Now I assist the bride to put on her bridal gown and to fasten the veil to her hair. Then she kneels down while the bridal wreath made of fresh white flowers is placed over the veil, at which time the solemn words are said "Receive here this symbol of your virginity which I have helped you to keep intact that you may give it unspotted to your husband as your greatest gift," to which the daughter answers with a heartfelt, "Thank you. Praised be God." This is always a moment of deep emotion. After the last long embrace I sign the forehead of my daughter with the sign of the Cross and then lead her downstairs, where the procession is already formed.
[Maria Trapp, Around the Year]

Also consider this wedding tradition:
Polish brides wear a wreath of flowers and herbs with their veil, which afterwards is saved in the hope chest. When virginity gives way to motherhood, the dried wreath is crumbled in the baby's bath, emphasizing the bond between marriage and family.
[Catholic and Loving It]