Franklin Dean
Making a garter from a wedding dress is a thoughtful and inexpensive gift idea for a bride. It is also a quick and easy project, which can be made from lace, ribbon, and elastic. The process involves cutting the elastic to fit around the bride's thigh, sewing the ends together, and then decorating the garter as desired. This could include adding beads, sequins, rhinestones, or other embellishments. The garter can also be customised with the couple's names and wedding date.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 10 minutes |
| Materials | Lace, ribbon, elastic, thread, needle, scissors, glue gun, rhinestones, silk flowers, and other decorations |
| Process | Cut the elastic to be about 1 inch longer than the thigh measurement, sew the ends together, attach decorations, and glue the elastic to the ribbon |
| Customization | Add the couple's names, wedding date, and colors; use lace from the mother's or grandmother's wedding dress for a custom, heirloom garter |
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What You'll Learn
Cut the lace, ribbon, and elastic to size
To make a garter from a wedding dress, you will need lace, ribbon, and elastic. You will also require a measuring tape, sharp scissors, and a needle and thread.
The first step is to cut the lace, ribbon, and elastic to size. For this, you will need to take measurements of your thigh, or wherever you plan to wear the garter. Wrap the measuring tape around your thigh and note down the measurement.
Now, cut the lace ribbon about 2.5 cm wider than your thigh measurement. For example, if your thigh measures 46 cm, cut the lace ribbon to 48.5 cm in length. It is important to use sharp scissors to achieve a clean cut without any jagged edges.
Next, cut the elastic to size. You can cut it to be about the same length as your thigh measurement. However, some sources suggest adding an extra 1.3 cm to this length to ensure the garter fits comfortably. Overlapping the ends of the elastic by about 0.5 cm on each end will help achieve a snug fit.
Finally, cut the ribbon. The ribbon should be placed on top of the lace, centred and pinned in place. Cut the ribbon so that it is about 2.5 cm shorter than the lace. This will ensure that the lace peeks out from underneath the ribbon when the garter is worn.
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Sew the lace to the ribbon
To sew lace to ribbon when making a garter, you can use a technique called ribbon insertion lace, beading lace, or entredeux. This involves threading the ribbon through the lace, which has buttonhole-like rectangular, oval, or circular openings. You can then sew the ribbon down.
If you are using a flat piece of lace and want to sew it to the ribbon, you should first prepare the lace and ribbon by washing and soaking to prevent shrinkage. Then, cut the ribbon to size, and place the wider lace at one end of the ribbon, overlapping the ribbon by 1/8 inch to 1/16 inch. Pin the lace in place, and sew along the edge of the ribbon, staying as close to the edge as possible.
You can also sew the lace and ribbon together first, and then sew them to another piece of fabric. To do this, place the ribbon on top of the lace and pin it in place. Stitch along the two edges of the ribbon. Once the ribbon is stitched in place, fold the fabric in half with the right sides together. Stitch the back seam, being careful not to stitch across the ribbon.
If you want to add beads or sequins to your garter, you can sew them onto the ribbon before attaching the lace.
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Decorate the garter with beads, buttons, or rhinestones
Decorating a garter with beads, buttons, or rhinestones is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding attire. It can be a fun and easy project that can be completed in under an hour. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you decorate your wedding garter:
- Choose your materials: Select the beads, buttons, or rhinestones you want to use. You can also choose other decorations such as sequins, silk flowers, or charms. Consider the colour and design of your garter fabrics and how you want to arrange the decorations.
- Prepare your workspace: Have your garter, decorations, needle, thread, and any other tools you may need ready. If you plan to sew the decorations, make sure you have a needle and thread that matches your garter fabric. If you prefer to glue the decorations, have a hot glue gun ready and plug it in about 10 minutes before you start to allow it to warm up.
- Layout your garter: Place the garter on a flat surface with the side you want to decorate facing up. If you are sewing beads or sequins, thread your needle with 18 inches (46 cm) of thread and knot the ends.
- Attach the decorations: If you are sewing, insert the needle through the fabric where you want to attach the decoration, and then guide the needle through the bead, sequin, or button. Pull the thread taut and bring the needle back through the fabric. Repeat this process to add more decorations. If you are gluing, dispense a small amount of hot glue onto the back of each decoration and press it onto the desired spot on the garter. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it bonds with the fabric.
- Create your design: You can arrange the decorations in a pattern or randomly to create a unique design. Consider adding a row of rhinestones along the edges of the garter for a sparkly finish or sewing the couple's initials for a personalised touch.
- Finish and secure: Once you have attached all your desired decorations, take a step back and review your work. Make sure all the decorations are securely attached and make any necessary adjustments. If you are sewing, knot the thread securely and cut off any excess. If you are gluing, ensure the glue has dried completely before handling the garter.
By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and personalised wedding garter with beads, buttons, or rhinestones. It is a wonderful way to incorporate your creativity and style into your wedding attire.
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Stitch the elastic through the ribbon
To stitch the elastic through the ribbon, start by cutting a piece of elastic to the circumference of your thigh. Overlap the ends of the elastic by about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) on each end and cut the elastic to this length. You can also add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to your thigh measurement if that is easier. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and insert it into the casing between the ribbon and lace.
As you guide the elastic through, the lace will begin to gather. Be careful not to sew over the opening that you left in the seam. You can also use a sewing machine to sew a straight stitch about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) from the raw edge of the ribbon. Make sure to remove the pins as you sew and avoid sewing over them to prevent damage to your machine.
Once the elastic is secured, stitch over the back seam for added security. You can also try a zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch to attach the elastic to the ribbon. This will allow the elastic to stretch with the ribbon. Finally, trim off any excess threads using scissors. Your garter is now ready to wear!
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Finish the garter with seam binding
Seam binding is a narrow, woven sewing tape used for finishing and reinforcing seams. It is a versatile notion, used in crafting and decoration, but its most common use is for binding seams.
To finish a hem with seam binding, unfold the hem and place the seam binding over the raw fabric edge on the "right" side of the fabric. If you are binding curved seams, it may be helpful to pin the seam binding in place before sewing. Stitch the seam binding in place, sewing along the right edge of the binding and making sure the seam binding covers the raw fabric edge. When you reach the point where you began stitching, keep sewing until the seam binding overlaps itself, covering the raw cut edge of the binding. Trim the seam binding, leaving about 3” of extra length. Fold the cut end of the binding under itself so the raw edge is hidden. Finish the seam binding by stitching down the fold to keep the ribbon end in place. This prevents the end from unraveling or stretching.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need lace, ribbon, elastic, and a glue gun or needle and thread. You can also add decorations such as rhinestones, silk flowers, sequins, and beads.
First, cut the elastic to fit around your thigh, with a small overlap. Then, attach a safety pin to the elastic and insert it into the casing between the ribbon and lace. Sew the lace to the ribbon, then stitch the elastic to secure it. Finally, add any desired decorations.
Measure the circumference of your thigh, or desired wear area, and cut the elastic to this length. You can also add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to your thigh measurement to ensure a comfortable fit.
