Constructing your Scapular

When it comes time to put your scapular together, proceed slowly and carefully.

Applying your Embellishments

When making a scapular I always apply an embroidered design in one of two ways:

1. embroidery on the brown wool

2. embroidery onto a colorful background which is then sewn to the brown wool

​If you choose to embroider your design directly onto the brown wool, try to place your design on the top half of the material, so that you can fold the fabric in half to enclose the edges. If you make an embroidery onto a colorful background of silk or felt you can then attach the embroidery to the brown wool in the same manner, toward the top half of the fabric.

Folding the scapular

When closing off the scapular you want to fold all of the raw edges in and then fold it in half.

Begin by setting up an ironing board with a hot iron full of water for steam. You should also have a ruler handy (I prefer an acrylic ruler) to help ensure that both halves of your scapular have the same dimensions. a rotary cutter and cutting mat are also helpful.

Next, trim the wool into strips, leaving an allowance for folding in the edges on the sides, top, and bottom. The wider your allowance the easier it is to fold and iron the scapular. In the picture below I was using a fairly small piece of fabric, and so I had to be extra careful about folding.

I like to fold the top and bottom down and press. then fold in the sides. By folding the top before the sides you make the next step easier.

Inserting the chord

The two things I typically use for scapular chords are deer hide lace (which I bought on a spool at HobbyLobby,) and metal chain. When I use the deer hide, I tuck the string into the interior of the scapular along the left and right hand sides and use a sewing machine to stitch them in place, I typically sew them on the back side first, and after they are in place I sew the rest of the scapular closed.

Some people prefer to sew the chord in the center of the scapular, I don't typically do that because I think it makes it easier for the scapular to twist backward. If you choose to attach chords in the center, sew them to the center of the back of the scapular before you sew the rest of the scapular closed.

If you choose to use chain wait to attach it until the scapular is closed around the edges

Sewing your scapular closed

Whether you use a sewing machine or work by hand always start by sewing across the top. When you begin by sewing across the top your finished scapular will be more square. The alternative, to sew up one side, across the top, then back down, often results in the scapular becoming twisted and asymmetrical.

After sewing across the top sew the two sides closed going from top to bottom on both sides. At this point you can place blessed medals inside your scapular if you like.