Deborah Chan
Wedding veils can be expensive, but they can also be made at home with relative ease and creativity. Making your own veil allows you to customise its length, style, and design, saving you money and creating special memories in the process. This introduction will be followed by a step-by-step guide on how to make a dress-up wedding veil, covering everything from choosing the right materials to adding the final decorative touches. Whether you're crafting for a wedding, a dress-up game, or a Halloween costume, this guide will ensure that you feel confident and proud of your handmade creation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | $5 to $15 |
| Veil length | 20 inches to 120 inches |
| Veil layers | Two layers of fabric |
| Veil type | Cascading side Two Tier slash Center Gathered veil, Mantilla veil, Standard veil |
| Veil material | Tulle, chiffon, lace, beads, ribbon |
| Sewing equipment | Sewing machine, rolled hem foot, needle, thread, scissors |
| Veil storage | Temperature-controlled location, protective garment bag |
| Veil maintenance | Steaming, hanging in a steamy bathroom |
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Veil measurements
The measurements of your wedding veil will depend on your height, where you position the comb in your hair, and your wedding dress.
To measure the veil, take a piece of string or a flexible measuring tape, and measure from where the veil will be attached in your hair, down your back to the tip of where you would like the veil to end at its longest point. This measurement does not have to be exact, but it will give you a basic idea of how long you would like your veil to be.
There are several types of veil lengths to choose from, including:
- Shoulder-length veil: This is the shortest veil option, usually measuring around 20 inches from comb to end. It is a nod to tradition without taking away from the dress.
- Elbow-length veil: This veil is slightly longer, measuring around 25 inches from comb to end.
- Waist-length veil: A waist-length veil is more of a traditional option, measuring around 30 inches from comb to end. It is often the shortest length available in dress shops.
- Hip-length veil: A hip-length veil measures around 36 inches from comb to end.
- Chapel-length veil: A chapel-length veil is a long veil option, measuring 90 or 96 inches. It is shorter than a cathedral-length veil and is best suited for dresses with a chapel-length train.
- Cathedral-length veil: A cathedral-length veil is the longest option, measuring 108 to 120 inches or more. It is well-suited for dresses with a cathedral-length train and will create a traditional and dramatic look.
In addition to these standard lengths, some veils are designed to cover just the eyes, skim the nose, or fall at the jawline. These shorter veils are often made of net or lace and are known as bandeau veils. They provide a retro-chic vibe and are easy to wear.
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Veil layers
Most wedding veils have two layers of fabric. The length of the veil is determined by the bride's height, where she will position the comb in her hair, and the length of her wedding dress. The veil should be longer than the dress's train for long wedding gowns, while shorter dresses are usually paired with shorter veils.
The number of layers in a veil will determine the amount of fabric required. For example, if the desired length of the veil is 12 inches, two layers will require 24 inches of fabric. The fabric width will also determine the veil's "fluffiness". The wider the fabric, the more "fluffy" the veil will be.
To cut the fabric to the desired length, fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then measure and cut the edge. For very wide fabric, it may be necessary to fold it in half twice to ensure the length is consistent. Once the length is cut, unfold the fabric and cut away any uneven edges.
The shape of the veil is also determined by the way the material is cut. To create a veil with four identical curves at the corners, fold the fabric into quarters and weigh down the layers to prevent slipping. Mark the desired curve on a piece of paper and place it under the fabric. Trace the curve onto the fabric with a fabric marker and cut along the line.
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Sewing the hem
To begin sewing the hem, start with the wrong side of the veil facing up. Insert the fabric into the rolled hem foot, positioning the needle over a piece of rolled fabric. Lower the foot and start sewing. Using both hands is recommended when working with a rolled hem foot, and it is important to work slowly, especially around curves. Guide the fabric with the right hand, helping it to start folding over before it reaches the foot. Use the left hand to push or pull the fabric, controlling the amount of fabric that is rolled into the foot. Keep the left index finger under the roll created by the right hand to clearly see the amount of tulle being rolled into the hem and make adjustments as needed. Work your way around the veil's hem, ensuring a slight overlap.
Serging is another method to finish the edges of the veil. This involves lowering the cutting blade and adjusting the stitch length and width. Serging all the edges usually takes around 10 minutes. Any remaining serger trails can be cleaned up by threading them back through the row of serging with a wide-eyed needle.
An alternative method is to use ribbon for a cleaner edge. Sew the ribbon onto the fabric about half an inch to one inch away from the cut edge using a straight stitch on a sewing machine or by hand. After sewing on the ribbon, carefully cut away the fabric so that the ribbon becomes the new edge.
Another technique involves sewing a casing at the folded edge of the veil. This can be done by folding the fabric so that the shorter ends are together, and then shifting the top layer to create a shorter and a longer layer. Pin along the fold and sew a casing, approximately one centimetre wide, about 2.5 centimetres from the folded edge.
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Adding decorations
Once you have the basic structure of your veil, you can start to think about adding decorations. This is a great way to make your veil unique and personalised.
If you want to add lace or beading to your veil, you can sew this on by hand or with a sewing machine. You can also use hot glue to attach decorations, such as beaded ribbon, to the headband of your veil. If you want to add some sparkle, try gluing or sewing rhinestones or other gems to the top of your veil.
You can also experiment with different colours and designs when making your veil. You could use coloured fabric or ribbon to add a unique touch, or mix and match different fabrics and trims. If you want to add a personal touch, consider embroidering your initials or a meaningful design onto your veil.
If you're making a veil for a child, you might want to add some extra fun decorations, such as glitter or colourful beads. You can also encourage them to decorate their own veil, adding their own creative touches.
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Storing the veil
Storing your wedding veil correctly is essential to keep it in perfect condition before the big day and as an heirloom item after the wedding.
Before storing your veil, it's important to consider the storage environment and the way you store the veil, as these factors can affect its appearance. The bridal salon or store where you purchased your veil will likely give you proper care instructions. Generally, it's best to store your veil in a cool, dry, and dark location, as high temperatures and humidity can alter the fabric's colour and texture.
One recommended method for storing your veil is to hang it as high as possible on a hanger in a protective garment bag within a closet. This helps to prevent wrinkles and protect the veil from external factors. The bag should be made of breathable fabric, allowing air to flow freely around the veil, preventing mould and discolouration. It should also be acid-free to maintain the veil's colour and structure.
If you're using a box for storage, it's best to use acid-free tissue paper to wrap the veil and minimise creases. However, this method can increase the likelihood of wrinkles, so combining a veil hanging hook with a storage bag is ideal. Veil hanging hooks with specialist clips are designed to protect delicate fabrics and allow the veil to drop loosely, reducing the chance of creasing.
Longer veils may require a veil hanging attachment connected to the hook for easier storage. This attachment helps gently fold the extra length without creasing and reduces the risk of damage.
To remove wrinkles before the wedding, you can hang the veil in a steamy bathroom for 4-5 days or use a handheld steamer.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a white headband, a needle, thread, tulle, and hot glue. You can also add beaded ribbon to give the veil a pearl look.
Thread your needle with 2 feet of thread and knot one end. Thread the needle through the top of the tulle and knot it to secure it. Stitch the thread up and down through the tulle, creating a 4-5 inch section of scrunched-up tulle. Knot the end of the thread with the end of the tulle.
Add hot glue to the top of the headband in a 4-5 inch strip and attach the knotted section of the tulle to the glue.
You can use a rolled hem setting on a serger, or sew ribbon onto the fabric using a straight stitch.
Measure from where the veil will be attached to the hair, down the back to the desired length. This measurement will give you a basic idea of how long you would like the veil to be.
