In July I introduced a new pattern, Frosty Forest, which I designed purposely to be an “all winter long” quilt. I have festive Christmas quilts which bring cheer to my home in December, but I don’t have many winter themed quilts. Frosty Forest will be a house favorite from December through February . . . and maybe into March if we still have snow on the ground. I am so pleased with the way Frosty Forest turned out, that I decided she needed a companion pillow: Little Chapel!
Little Chapel is a charming, nostalgic pillow pattern that finishes at 18” x 18”. The chapel itself is made from a variety of whites to lend a cozy, welcoming feel. I think she looks so pretty nestled in among the trees of the Frosty Forest quilt.
I grew up attending a small Lutheran church in a town with a population of 50 people. I was confirmed there, and so was my father and my grandmother and grandfather. My grandmother was the choir director (long before my day). My husband and I were married there. I have childhood memories of ice cream socials, summer bible school and oyster stew suppers in the church basement. I am sure there were many times I grumbled about going to church, or being an acolyte, or memorizing things for confirmation class. But as an adult, I am so thankful for this foundation.
While our church was bigger than a rural chapel you might see standing alone on the prairie (it has gone through some remodels and additions), the original structure was small by today’s standards. With its tall white steeple and long stained-glass windows, Hazel Run Lutheran embodied peace and structure and tradition. So today, any image of a small white chapel is near and dear to my rural Minnesota girl’s heart. I’m guessing there are many of you with a similar story.
When I was dreaming up Little Chapel, I couldn’t decide on a colorway. So, I made two samples: one featuring navy blue with hints of green and another one featuring a range of taupes. The sample with the navy background calls to mind approaching church on Christmas Eve, when the sky is dark but the church is lit up. The sample with the whites and taupes evokes calm and serenity.
I can also see Little Chapel stitched up in traditional Christmas reds and greens. You could really have fun with feature fabric on the outer borders. On the last page of my pattern, I included a coloring sheet so that you can ponder your own ideas for color placement. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I really enjoy making pillows, and I know many of you do too! Besides being quick to make, small projects are also great stash busters. I thoroughly enjoy rummaging around in my stash for just the right prints. And because of their small size, I’m also not afraid to do a little straight-line machine quilting myself.
Little Chapel is a project you can complete in a weekend, from start to finish. Make one for yourself and one for a friend! Whatever you make, be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your finish! My Instagram profile name is @taunjalynn Please use the hashtag: #littlechapelpillow Little Chapel is available in PDF format on my Etsy shop.
We are having a gorgeous autumn in Minnesota, and I want it to linger as long as possible. But when the snowflakes fly, I’ll be ready to bring out both Little Chapel and Frosty Forest to cheer my winter days!
Thanks for stopping by! Now go and get carried away quilting!
~Taunja
Both Frosty Forest and Little Chapel are beautiful and evoke such good feelings. I am curious also about the blue afghan shown with them. Is it one you made and would you mind sharing the pattern and color of yarn?
Hi Jill! It makes me so happy to hear that, because that’s what I was aiming for ! 🙂
I actually bought that afghan at Target. It’s such an awesome blue! I purchased mine a while back at a local Target, but when I look at their website, I believe this is the same product: Oversized Recycled Knit Throw Blanket – Threshold™ https://www.target.com/p/oversized-recycled-knit-throw-blanket-threshold/-/A-87915697?preselect=87746004#lnk=sametab
Thank you so much! I have ordered both patterns as well as the afghan from Target.
I loved your Frosty Forrest from the moment you first showed it and now sure enough, Little Chapel is the perfect companion!! How very pretty and love the story of your small town and church.
Thanks so much for your kind words! Have a great week!
This pillow is absolutely darling. I just love it both ways, and also your other suggestions. Beautiful, beautiful and perfect for the coming season!
Thank you so much Sigi! I hope you are having a wonderful Autumn!
So fun to find out you are from Hazel Run! I grew up in Cottonwood but now live in Grand Junction, Colorado. Have always loved your patterns. Would like to do the church pillow with my small quilt group.
Lynn Perrizo
Oh my goodness . . . we grew up a stone’s throw away (so to speak). Thank you for your kind words. If your group does sew Little Chapel together, I’d love to see what you make. Keep me posted! 🙂
I just finished sewing the Little Chapel pillow top and love it! What should the finished size be before any quilting on top? I am considering not quilting the top and making the pillow. Instructions say cut backing fabric pieces 18 1/2 x 12 1/2 and my top measures almost 19 inches in width and 18 12/ in length. Thank you!
Hi Linda! Glad you love your top! The finished size should be 18 1/2″ x 18 1/2″. I wouldn’t worry about your top being almost 19″ wide. But if it bothers you, you could trim 1/4″ off the left and right sides if you want to make it 18 1/2″ square. (If you don’t trim it, you would just adjust the pillow backing pieces to account for the width. Pillows are pretty forgiving.
What is the cut width of the binding for the Little Chapel pillow? Thank you!
Hi again Linda!. Well, that is personal preference. I always cut my binding at 2 1/4″ but I have friends who always do their binding at 2 1/2″. It depends on the look that you like.