Creating A Wedding Garter: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Wedding garters are a time-honoured tradition, with the bride's garter usually being tossed at the wedding reception. Making your own garter is a quick and easy project that can be completed in under an hour. All you need is some lace, ribbon, elastic, and a needle and thread. You can also add decorations such as buttons, beads, or the couple's initials and wedding date. To make the garter, simply cut your materials to the correct length, sew the ribbon to the lace, insert the elastic, and stitch the ends together.

Choosing your materials: lace, ribbon, elastic, thread, and embellishments

The materials you choose for your wedding garter will depend on your personal taste, the style of your wedding, and the type of fabric you feel most comfortable wearing. Here are some tips for choosing the right materials:

Lace

Lace is a classic choice for a wedding garter and can complement a classic-style wedding gown. You can choose from various types of lace, including scalloped or decorative edge lace. Consider the width of the lace, as thinner lace tends to be more delicate, while wider lace is bolder and more ornate.

Ribbon

Ribbon is another essential material for your wedding garter. Choose a colour that complements your wedding colours or the colour of your dress. The ribbon can be made of satin or grosgrain, and its width can vary from 1/4 inch to 1 inch. Consider using a novelty ribbon, such as one for a sports team, for a fun touch.

Elastic

Elastic is necessary for ensuring your garter stays in place. To find the right length for the elastic, measure the circumference of your leg where you want to wear the garter and subtract 3 inches. This will ensure that your garter fits snugly and won't fall off.

Thread

Choose a thread that matches the colour of your ribbon to sew the different components of the garter together.

Embellishments

You can add embellishments to your garter to make it more personalised and special. Consider adding a charm, button, or bead to decorate your garter. You can also add the couple's initials and wedding date, or incorporate the tradition of "something blue" with a blue-coloured garter or blue embellishments.

Measuring your leg for the perfect fit

Measuring your leg for the perfect wedding garter fit is easy and only requires a few tools and steps.

First, decide where you want to wear your garter. Most brides prefer to wear their garter just above the knee on either leg. This is the sweet spot, as it's not too high or too low.

Next, you'll need to measure the circumference of your leg where you want to wear the garter. Use a soft fabric measuring tape and wrap it around your leg, ensuring it sits flush against your skin without digging in or sagging. If you don't have a fabric measuring tape, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a ruler. Stand up while taking the measurement, as you'll be standing for most of your wedding day.

The number you get is your base measurement. If you're buying a pre-made garter, check the packaging to see if your number falls within their standard size range. If you're in between sizes, it's generally recommended to size up, as it's better for the garter to be a bit loose than too tight.

If you're having a custom garter made, you'll provide this base measurement to your designer, who will then instruct you on any further adjustments needed. For example, for a DIY garter, you'll add 7" to your base number to get the total length of ribbon and lace needed, and subtract 3" from your base number to get the length of elastic needed.

And that's it! You now know how to measure your leg for the perfect wedding garter fit.

Sewing the ribbon to the lace

Step 1: Centering and Pinning

Start by centering the ribbon on top of the lace. This ensures that your ribbon is evenly placed and will result in a neat appearance once sewn. Secure the ribbon in place with pins. You can use as many pins as you need to hold the ribbon and lace together securely.

Step 2: Stitching the Edges

Using a thread that matches your ribbon, begin stitching along one edge of the ribbon. Try to keep your stitching as straight as possible, and maintain an even distance from the edge of the ribbon. Sew along the entire length of the ribbon, staying as close to the edge as you can. Repeat this process for the opposite edge of the ribbon, creating a secure attachment to the lace.

Step 3: Attaching the Second Piece of Ribbon (if applicable)

If you are using two pieces of ribbon, as some patterns suggest, you will now attach the second piece. Align the second piece of ribbon directly over the first, creating a sandwich with the lace in the middle. Topstitch the second piece of ribbon, sewing as close to the edges as possible. This will secure the layers together.

Step 4: Finalising the Seam

Once you have sewn along both edges of the ribbon(s), you will have created a seam that attaches the ribbon securely to the lace. At this point, you can trim any loose threads to ensure a neat finish. If desired, you can also add a zig-zag stitch along the cut ends of the ribbon to provide extra security and prevent fraying.

By following these steps carefully and taking your time, you will achieve a professional-looking finish to your wedding garter. Remember to use straight stitching and ensure your ribbon is centred and secured in place before you begin sewing.

Adding elastic to the garter

Firstly, measure the circumference of your leg where you want the garter to sit. For instance, if your measurement is 14", you'll need to cut your elastic to 11" in length (14" minus 3"). This difference in length ensures that the garter fits snugly and won't slip down.

Now, take your cut piece of elastic and attach a large safety pin to one end. This safety pin will be your guide as you thread the elastic through the layers of ribbon and lace. Carefully push the safety pin and elastic through the space between the ribbon and lace, gathering the fabric as you go along. This step may require some patience and dexterity. Ensure you don't lose the other end of the elastic as you work!

Once you've successfully guided the elastic all the way through, carefully pin both ends to secure them in place. You don't want them slipping back inside the fabric. Now, with the right sides of the ribbon facing each other, sew down the side of the lace. This is the final seam of your garter.

After sewing, trim any loose threads and the edge for a neat finish. You can also consider doing a zig-zag stitch along the cut ends for added durability. Turn your garter right side out, and you've now completed the essential steps of adding elastic to your wedding garter!

Of course, you can further embellish your garter with decorations, such as buttons, beads, or even the initial of your partner-to-be. But the basic structure, including the elastic, is now in place. Congratulations on taking on this DIY project, and happy crafting!

Decorating the garter with buttons, beads, or embroidery

There are many ways to decorate a wedding garter using buttons, beads, or embroidery. Here are some ideas:

Buttons

You can sew a button onto the ribbon as a simple embellishment. Alternatively, you could create your own beaded buttons to sew onto the garter. To make these, you can sew beads directly onto fabric in a freeform pattern, or you can draw a design on paper, lay it over fabric, and embroider over it with beads. You could also create beaded buttons by first beadweaving circles and then sewing them onto fabric.

Beads

To decorate a garter with beads, cut three 6-inch pieces of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon. Keeping one side of the ribbon up, loop each piece of ribbon and lay it on top of itself, pinning the overlap in place. Then, lay all the sections on top of each other and fan out the loops. Hand-sew the loops in place and sew a bead or button on top of the intersection.

Embroidery

Before assembling the garter, you can embroider the couple's initials and wedding date onto a solid fabric. You could also embroider a design onto paper, lay it over fabric, and then embroider over it with beads.

Frequently asked questions