Creating A Wedding Veil: A Simple Guide To Veil Making

Making a wedding veil is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a simple, one-tier wedding veil.

Step 1: Choose the length of your veil

Decide how long you want your veil to be. Standard lengths include shoulder, elbow, waist, hip, fingertip, waltz, ankle, chapel, and cathedral.

Step 2: Purchase your tulle

Buy tulle that is around 72 inches (182.88 cm) wide for a shorter veil or 108 inches (274.32 cm) wide for a longer veil. The length of the tulle will depend on the style of veil you choose.

Step 3: Cut the tulle

Cut the tulle to the desired length, leaving enough fabric to create a rounded edge if desired. You can also cut the tulle into a circle if you're making a blusher veil.

Step 4: Add trim (optional)

Consider adding a beaded trim or narrow satin ribbon to the edge of your veil. This step is optional but will make your veil look more elegant.

Step 5: Sew the top of the veil

Sew across the top of the veil, either by hand using a running stitch or on a sewing machine using a straight stitch. If using a sewing machine, sew two rows about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) apart.

Step 6: Gather the fabric

Gently pull on the end of your stitching to gather the fabric until it is the same width as your comb, about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm). Tie the thread into a secure knot and cut off any excess.

Step 7: Attach the comb

Place the top edge of the veil against the top edge of the comb and sew the veil to the comb, wrapping the thread around the teeth. Tie the thread into a tight knot and trim off any excess.

Step 8: Decorate the comb (optional)

Use a needle and thread to sew on pearls, silk flowers, beads, or rhinestones to the comb. Make sure to choose decorations that match your wedding dress.

Choosing the right fabric

In addition to tulle, other fabrics such as organza, fine English tulle, Italian tulle, and silk tulle can also be used for wedding veils. Veil fabric can be purchased online or at fabric stores. It is important to consider the width and length of the fabric when purchasing, as well as the desired fullness and length of the veil.

When making a wedding veil, it is also important to have the necessary tools and supplies, such as a needle, thread, hair comb, and any desired trim or embellishments.

Cutting the veil to the right length

Next, measure the length of the veil from the top of your head to where you want the veil to end, and double that length. For example, a typical fingertip-length veil will be between three and four feet long, so you'll need 6 to 8 feet of tulle.

Now, lay the tulle out on a large table or a clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. Then, grab the rightmost edge and fold it over so that it touches the leftmost edge. At this point, you have four layers of tulle. Measure again how long you want the tulle to be and cut it to that length if needed.

You can leave the veil rectangular, but a rounded bottom will give you a nicer shape. To do this, round off the top left edge of the fabric by pinning to mark it and then cutting in a smooth motion. You can use a large serving platter as a guide.

Finally, unfold the tulle completely. The unfolded tulle will be one layer. Now, fold the tulle crosswise from right to left, but you don't have to bring it all the way over. You can match the ends up for a single-length veil or leave a few inches between the edges for a nice layered look. If you keep a shorter layer, it can be used as a blusher. At this point, you should verify that the length is exactly what you want, and if it's too long, cut one of the rounded ends shorter as needed.

Sewing the veil

Next, pull the bobbin threads to gather the fabric. Gather both of the bobbin threads in one of your hands. Lose hold of the veil at the stitch lines in your other hand. Pull on the bobbin threads as you gently push the fabric together. Stop gathering the fabric once it has reached the length of your comb. Tie each of the bobbin threads in knots. Trim the excess thread and fabric above the top row of stitches.

Finally, attach the comb. Grab your plastic or wire comb and place it on a flat surface so that it curves up. Place the gathered edge of the veil on top of the comb, making sure that the side of the veil you want showing is facing up. Thread a needle. Stitch the veil to the comb by placing two to three stitches around each tooth of the comb. Cut off the needle and tie knots in the ends of the thread.

If you are creating a two-tier veil, the second tier is created in the same manner. The only difference is the length of the veil. If you are creating a second, separate tier, repeat the process.

Sewing a Full Veil

A full veil is made out of a single piece of fabric. It is folded in half to form two tiers: a longer veil that runs down your back and a blusher that is worn over the face in the ceremony. To create a full veil, unfold the material and lay it out flat once again. Fold the top edge of the veil down so that it lays on top of the bottom layer of material. Adjust the length of the top layer until it is as long as the blusher measurement.

Stitch across the width of the veil near the fold, gathering the material as you go. Thread a needle. Insert the needle through both layers of material near the fold. Create a secure stitch on one end of the veil. As you continue stitching, gather the material. When you reach the other side, make sure the length of the gathered material matches the length of your comb. Knot the thread and cut off the needle.

Place the comb, curved side up, on top of the gathered edge. The blusher should be the top layer. Use a threaded needle to attach the comb to the veil by stitching several times around each tooth.

Sewing a Drop Veil

A drop veil is created out of a single piece of fabric. The fabric is not gathered. To create a drop veil, unfold the material and lay it out flat. Fold the top edge of the veil down so that it lays on top of the bottom layer of material. Adjust the length of the top layer until it matches the length of the blusher measurement.

Find the center of the veil. Fold the material in half lengthwise. Mark the center fold of the veil with a pin. Unfold the veil. Use the pin to help you center the hair comb, curved side up, along the top edge of your veil. Once you are pleased with your placement, remove the pin. Use a threaded needle to secure the comb to your veil.

Gathering the veil

• Sew across the top, straight edge of the veil. You can do this by hand using a running stitch or on a sewing machine using a straight stitch. If you choose to do it on a machine, sew two rows, about 1/2-inch apart.
• For a full veil, sew all the way across the top, straight edge.
• For a less-full veil, sew across the centre part, leaving a gap on either side.
• Gather your stitching, then tie the thread off. Gently tug on the end of your stitching until the tulle gathers. Keep pulling until the gathered area is the same width as your comb, about 2 to 4 inches. Tie the thread off into a secure knot, then cut off the excess.
• If you used a sewing machine, pull on the bobbin threads.
• Sew the tulle to a hair comb. Match up the top edge of the veil with the top edge of the comb. Sew the veil to the comb, wrapping the thread around the comb and between the teeth. Tie the thread off in a tight knot, then snip off the excess.

Attaching the comb

Now that you have gathered the veil, it's time to attach the comb. You can use a simple French comb, a barrette, or any headpiece you already have picked out.

Just take the gathered portion of tulle at the top centre and sew it securely to your clip.

If you are planning to wear a fancy tiara and want to be able to remove the veil for the reception but still keep the tiara on, just sew the veil to a simple French comb and you can wear both pieces at once, then easily take just the veil off later.

If you are sewing the veil to a fancy comb, sew it just behind the embellishments so that you don't cover anything up.

You can also use a ribbon or extra tulle to wrap around the comb first.

Decorating the comb

Use a needle and thread, sew on some pearls, silk flowers, beads, or rhinestones onto the comb. Be sure to choose something that matches your dress. If you must glue something on, use fabric glue. Hot glue tends to get messy, and it can melt on a hot day.

Attaching the veil to a headband

If you want to attach the veil to a headband, you can sew it on, starting with loose basting stitches to make sure all the tulle fits, then gather it together and add smaller stitches until it's secure.

Frequently asked questions