Crafting A Fingertip Wedding Veil: A Step-By-Step Guide

How to Make a Fingertip Wedding Veil

A fingertip wedding veil is a fun and easy DIY project that can save you a lot of money. All you need is some tulle, a comb, and a few basic sewing supplies. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own fingertip wedding veil.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

First, you'll need to gather your materials. You'll need:

- Tulle: This is the main fabric for your veil. It's available in different widths, such as 72 and 108. For a fuller veil, use the wider tulle.

- Comb: You'll need a comb or barrette to attach the veil to your hair.

- Needle and Thread: These will be used for sewing the veil together and attaching it to the comb.

- Trim (optional): You can add trim such as ribbon, lace, or beads to decorate your veil.

Step 2: Cut the Tulle

Determine how long you want your veil to be. A typical fingertip-length veil will be between three and four feet long. Double that length and cut your tulle to size. You may want to fold the tulle in half lengthwise to keep it manageable.

Step 3: Shape the Tulle

Now, you'll need to shape the tulle. Round off the corners of the fabric to create a quarter-circle shape. You can use a large serving platter or a similar object as a guide.

Step 4: Refold the Tulle

Unfold the tulle completely. Then, fold it crosswise from right to left, leaving a few inches between the edges for a layered look. Adjust the length as needed. Turn the veil 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that the folded edge is at the top.

Step 5: Gather the Center

Decide whether you want the side edges of your veil to come up to the top. Gathering only the center will create a fuller, puffier look at the top of your veil. Gather the tulle with a needle and strong thread, weaving in and out with small stitches. Pull the thread to gather the tulle to about 2 inches wide and knot the thread securely.

Step 6: Attach the Veil to a Comb

To wear your veil, you'll need to attach it to a comb, barrette, or headpiece. Take the gathered portion of the tulle and sew it securely to your chosen attachment. If you plan to wear a tiara, you can sew the veil to a simple comb so that you can easily remove the veil while keeping the tiara on.

Step 7: Add Trim (optional)

Your veil is now ready to wear, but you may want to decorate it further. You can sew a thin satin ribbon along the edges of the veil, add sparkling beads or gemstones, or attach decorative clips. Get creative and make your veil unique!

Step 8: Steam or Hang Your Veil

To get rid of any wrinkles in your veil, you can steam it with a handheld steamer or hang it in a steamy bathroom for a few days. Do not iron the veil, as this may damage the delicate fabric.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful fingertip wedding veil that you made yourself. Enjoy your wedding and cherish the memories of this special DIY project!

Choosing the right length

The length of your veil is a very important consideration, as it will determine the overall look and feel of your wedding outfit. There are several standard lengths to choose from, and you can also create a custom length that is perfect for you.

Typical Veil Lengths

• Blusher / Shoulder Length / Flyaway Veil: touches the shoulders or just covers your face. Typically 15" or so.
• Elbow Length Veil: just reaches your elbows when your arms are down at your sides. Typically 20-25".
• Fingertip Length: reaches the fingertips when your arms are at your sides. Typically 35-40".
• Ballet Length / Waltz Length: reaches your knees or mid-calf. Typically 45-50".
• Chapel Length: brushes the floor or extends a bit past the floor. Typically 80-90".
• Cathedral Length: extends several feet past the train of your wedding dress.
• Royal Length: the longer the better! This is the veil of the royals. Start at 120" and can go as long as 200"+

How to Measure for your Veil

Veil measurements can vary depending on your height and your wedding dress. If possible, take a quick measurement so that you can make sure that the veil hits exactly where you would like. Take a piece of string (that does not stretch) or a flexible measuring tape, and measure from where the veil will be attached in your hair down to the tip of approximately where you would like the veil to end at the longest point at the back. This measurement does not have to be exact, but it will give a basic idea of how long you would like your veil to be. It is always better for your veil to be slightly longer rather than shorter, so if you are unsure, add an additional 1-2" to your measurement.

The right veil length for you will depend on several factors, including your personal style, the style of your wedding dress, and your venue. Here are some things to consider when choosing the length of your veil:

• The formality of your wedding: A longer veil is often associated with more formal weddings, while a shorter veil can be more casual.
• The style of your dress: Consider the silhouette, neckline, and details of your dress when choosing your veil length. For example, a fingertip-length veil may be a good choice if you want to show off a detailed bodice or a low back.
• Your height: If you are on the shorter side, you may want to avoid a very long veil that will drag on the floor. Similarly, if you are tall, you may want to choose a longer veil that will not look too short.
• Your venue: Consider the space where you will be getting married and celebrating. A long veil may not be practical for a small, intimate venue, while a short veil may get lost in a large, grand space.
• Your personal style: Ultimately, the most important factor is that you feel comfortable and beautiful in your veil. Choose a length that reflects your personal style and makes you feel like a bride.

Gathering the right materials

• Tulle: This is the main material you will need to make your veil. Tulle is available in 72" and 108" widths at any fabric store. For a fuller veil, use the 108" wide tulle. The length of the fabric will depend on your desired veil length. For a typical fingertip-length veil, you will need 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 yards) of tulle.
• Comb or barrette: You will need something to attach the veil to your hair. You can use a simple French comb, a barrette, or any headpiece of your choice.
• Needle and thread: You will need these for sewing the veil together and attaching it to the comb or barrette.
• Trim (optional): You can add trim to the edges of your veil for a decorative touch. This could be a thin satin ribbon, lace, beads, or any other trim of your choice.
• Scissors: You will need scissors to cut the tulle to the desired length and shape.
• Measuring tape: This will help you measure the length of the veil and ensure it is the right size for you.
• Fabric marker: This can be helpful for marking the tulle before cutting it to the desired shape.

With these materials gathered, you are ready to start creating your own beautiful fingertip wedding veil!

Hemming the edges

Rolled Hem

A rolled hem is created with a machine's rolled hem foot. This type of hem will prevent the tulle from fraying with very minimal visual impact. If you are using a sewing machine, begin along one side of the veil with the wrong side up. Insert the fabric into the rolled hem foot so that the needle is starting over a piece of rolled fabric. Lower the foot and begin to sew. Work all the way around the veil's hem, overlapping just a little bit. After finishing the hem, check all the way around, looking for places where the hem needs to be corrected - fix these by hand as needed.

Trimmed Hem

A trimmed hem can be done with any sort of trim that will go all the way around the edge of the veil. A grosgrain or satin ribbon is a common trim used in veils. To sew a trimmed hem, first, pin the trim to the veil's border with wrong sides together. Overlap a few inches and tuck under the ends of the trim to prevent fraying. Sew all the way around, working as close to the edge of the fabric and trim as possible. Flip the trim so the right side is now showing on top of the right side of the veil. Press carefully and on low heat. Pin in place as you press. Stitch the trim down on the right side of the fabric, again working close to the edge. If using a delicate trim, you may need to do this by hand.

Preparing the comb

Step 1: Gather your materials

Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. You will need a comb, tulle, and scissors. You may also want to use a needle and thread for a more secure attachment. If you want to decorate your comb, you can use lace, ribbon, or any other trim of your choice.

Step 2: Cut the tulle to size

Cut the tulle to the desired length. The standard length for a fingertip veil is between three and four feet. You will need twice that length of tulle, as it will be folded in half.

Step 3: Prepare the comb

Take your comb and wrap it with tulle or any other decorative material of your choice. This will create a base for you to attach the veil. You can use a hot glue gun or fabric glue to secure the tulle to the comb.

Step 4: Gather the tulle

Fold the tulle in half width-wise and mark the center with a pin. This is where you will attach the comb. You can gather the tulle by hand or use a sewing machine to create a running stitch along the marked line. This will create a nice, even gather.

Step 5: Attach the veil to the comb

Once you are happy with the gather, it is time to attach the veil to the comb. You can hand-sew the gathered portion of the tulle to the wrapped comb. Make sure to sew securely, especially if you are using a heavier fabric like lace.

Step 6: Finish the veil

Your fingertip wedding veil is now ready! You can add any final touches, such as trimming the edges or adding decorative elements like beads or gemstones.

Gathering the veil

Step 1: Cut the Tulle to the Desired Length

First, determine the desired length of your veil. A typical fingertip-length veil is between three and four feet long, so you will need around six to eight feet of tulle fabric. Lay the tulle on a large table or clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. Then, grab the rightmost edge and fold it over so that it touches the leftmost edge, creating four layers of tulle. Measure the desired length from the top of your head down and cut the tulle to that length.

Step 2: Round the Corners of the Tulle

To create a smooth curve at the top left edge of the fabric, use a pin to mark the desired shape and then cut along the marked line. You can use a large serving platter or a curved object as a guide to ensure a smooth and symmetrical curve. This step will give your veil a quarter-circle shape.

Step 3: Refold the Tulle into Veil Layers

Completely unfold the tulle so that you have one layer. Then, fold the tulle crosswise from right to left, but you don't need to bring it all the way over. You can match the ends for a single-length veil or leave a few inches between the edges for a layered look. If you keep the shorter layer, it can be used as a blusher. Adjust the length as needed, and then turn the veil 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that the folded edge is at the top, and the open rounded edges are closest to you.

Step 4: Decide on the Gathering Style

At this point, you need to decide whether you want the side edges of your veil's layers to come all the way up to the top or only gather the center portion. Gathering only the center will result in a less puffy top, while gathering the entire width will create a fuller and puffier top. This decision is especially important if you plan to add a ribbon trim to the edges, as the ribbon will either go up to your head or only be at the bottom, depending on your choice.

Step 5: Gather the Tulle

Once you've decided on the gathering style, use a needle and strong thread to gather the tulle. Weave the thread in and out with small stitches, either across the center portion or the entire width of the tulle, depending on your previous decision. Pull the thread to gather the stitched tulle to a width of about two inches and knot the thread securely. Hold the gathered tulle and give it a gentle shake to allow the sides to fall gracefully.

Step 6: Attach the Veil to a Comb or Clip

To wear the veil, you need to attach it to something like a simple French comb, a barrette, or a headpiece. Take the gathered portion of tulle at the top center and sew it securely to your chosen attachment. If you plan to wear a tiara and want to remove the veil for the reception while keeping the tiara on, sew the veil to a simple French comb so you can wear both pieces together and easily remove the veil later.

Frequently asked questions