Creating A Silk Wedding Sash: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a silk wedding sash is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your big day. Whether you're looking to save money or want a unique design, crafting your own sash is a great option. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful silk wedding sash.

First, decide on the type of sash you want. There are two main types: one that is worn around the waist with dresses, and the other is draped across the body from one shoulder to the opposite hip. For this guide, we'll focus on the waist sash.

Next, gather your materials. You'll need approximately 2 yards of 3-inch silk ribbon. You can also opt for silk fabric if you prefer a more substantial sash. Choose a colour that complements your wedding gown, with popular choices being rose gold, ivory, and white.

Now, it's time to get creative with decorations. You can accent your sash with fringe, lace, or other types of trim. Iron-on letters are a great way to add words like Bride or Bridesmaid. You can also glue on sequins, crystals, or beads for some extra sparkle.

Once you've gathered your materials and decided on your design, it's time to start assembling your sash. Pin the trim to the ribbon, ensuring that the edges overlap by at least 0.5 inches. Use your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch to secure the trim. Position and iron on your letters, and glue any additional embellishments.

Finally, wrap the sash around your waist to determine the correct length. Pin the ends together at a slight angle, then sew a straight stitch across to secure them. Cut off any excess fabric, and your silk wedding sash is ready to wear!

Choosing the right type of silk fabric

When it comes to choosing the right type of silk fabric for your wedding sash, there are several options to consider. Here are some factors to help you make the right choice:

Type of Silk

The first step is to decide on the type of silk you want to use. Some common types of silk fabric include:

• Silk Chiffon: A lightweight, sheer, and elegant fabric that exudes beauty and romance. It is often used for layering or as an overlay, and it pairs well with other fabrics.
• Silk Satin: A traditional bridal fabric with a luminous sheen. It creates a rich and luxurious feel and can be tailored to almost any look.
• Silk Georgette: Similar to chiffon, but slightly heavier and more opaque. It is perfect for creating soft silhouettes and full-skirted styles.
• Silk Organza: A lightweight fabric with a crisp drape and a lustrous finish. It adds volume and fullness to a wedding dress without adding weight.
• Silk Crepe: A sleek and crisp fabric that accentuates the bride's curves. It works well with soft silhouettes and minimalist designs.
• Silk Velvet: A heavyweight fabric with a soft, shimmering lustre. It creates a unique, stand-out wedding dress, perfect for winter weddings.

Seasonality

Consider the season in which your wedding will take place. Lighter and more breathable fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, and organza are ideal for spring and summer weddings. For autumn and winter weddings, opt for heavier silks like velvet or thicker varieties of satin.

Drape and Structure

Think about the drape and structure you want for your sash. Fabrics like chiffon, satin, and georgette have a beautiful drape and are perfect for creating a soft, romantic look. On the other hand, organza and dupioni silk are slightly stiffer and can hold more structured silhouettes, making them ideal for dramatic ball gowns.

Colour and Embellishments

Choose a colour that complements your wedding gown. Ivory, white, and rose gold are popular choices for wedding sashes. You can also add embellishments like rhinestones, crystals, beads, or fabric flowers to your sash for an extra touch of glamour.

Width and Length

The standard width for a sash tied around the waist is between 1.5 and 3 inches. However, you can opt for a wider sash depending on your personal preference and body shape. The length of a sash typically ranges from 80 to 160 inches.

Cutting the fabric to size

The first step to making a silk wedding sash is cutting the fabric to size. The length of a sash can range from 80 inches to 160 inches, depending on the wearer's body shape and personal preference. For a fitted sash, measure around the waist and add 1.5 inches to get the length of the fabric you should cut. The width of the fabric should be 6.5 inches for a 3-inch-wide sash, and 3.5 inches for a 1.5-inch-wide sash. If possible, cut the fabric on the bias.

If you prefer a bow-tying sash, you will need about 2.25 meters of fabric for a decent bow and tails. You can adjust the length according to your desired number of tails. For this type of sash, you will need to fold an 84-inch-long fabric piece that is about 6 inches wide. First, fold it in half horizontally, and then fold it in half again vertically. You can also use a piece of long paper to mark the fabric and then cut it accordingly.

When cutting the fabric, it is important to consider the type of silk you are using. For example, if you are using silk charmeuse, duchess satin, or tulle, ensure that the fabric has a good drape. Additionally, consider the colour of the silk. Ivory, white, and rose gold are popular choices for wedding sashes.

Before cutting the fabric, it is recommended to make a mock-up of the sash using a polyester material of similar weight and drape. This will allow you to perfect the measurements and practice the cutting technique before working with the silk fabric.

Sewing the fabric together

Now that you have your fabric, you can start sewing!

Firstly, fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the right sides facing each other. Pin the fabric in place. Using a sewing machine, stitch along the long edges of the fabric, leaving a 2-inch gap in the middle. This will create a tube of fabric. Turn the tube inside out through the gap, using a sharp tool to push out the corners. Press the fabric with an iron to create a neat seam.

Next, attach a small piece of fabric, about 1 inch wide and 1 inch longer than the width of the sash, to bind the edge. Fold the top of the fabric under and stitch the edges. Turn it to the other side and stitch again, effectively binding the edge. Do the same for the other side.

Now, attach the fastening at the back. You can use hooks and eyes, velcro, snaps, or even buttons. Position the sash around your waist and mark where the fastening will go. Sew the fastening in place securely.

If you would like to add any embellishments, such as rhinestones, sequins, or beads, now is the time to do so. Hand stitch any embellishments in place, or use fabric glue for a quicker method.

Finally, try on your sash and adjust the length as needed. Trim the ends to the desired length, then finish the edges with bias binding strips of fabric. Your silk wedding sash is now ready to wear!

Embellishing the sash

Ready-made trims

This is the easiest way to embellish your sash. Simply buy a trim from your nearest sewing store. You can find trims with rhinestones, crystals, beads, and more. Use fabric glue or a similar adhesive to attach the trim to the middle of the sash. If you want the trim to be visible only around the waist, measure your waist circumference and mark this from the centre of the sash before attaching the trim.

Fabric flowers

Fabric flowers are beautiful and easy to make. They can transform a plain sash into something exquisite. Cut three fabric circles in the satin or silk fabric of your choice, each one slightly smaller than the other. Use a candle or lighter to carefully singe the edges of the circles. Stack the circles one on top of the other, placing a small bead in the centre to hold them together. Stitch the flowers onto the sash, adding beads, sequins, or other trims for further embellishment if desired.

Big bow

Decorate your sash with a big bow. You can add a stitched bow to the back of a fitted sash or attach it to the front of a ribbon sash. You can also add bead edging to the edges of the sash. Ensure that the beading does not extend beyond the waistline. Measure half of your waist circumference on the centre of the sash and add the beading there. You can add bead edging to the top or bottom edges, or both.

Lace

Cut out lace to the measure of half your waist circumference. Place the lace under the edges of the sash and stitch in place. You can also add lace to the other edge of the sash for a symmetrical look.

Hand-stitching

You can also hand-stitch embellishments onto your sash. Add rhinestones, stitch on sequins, or do simple bead embroidery to elevate your sash.

Fastening the sash

There are several ways to fasten a silk wedding sash. One option is to use a fitted fastening at the back, such as hooks and eyes, velcro, snaps, or even buttons. These fasteners provide a secure hold and can be easily adjusted to fit the wearer's waist. Another option is to create a bow-tying sash, where the fabric is cut longer to allow for tying a bow at the back. This method adds a delicate and romantic touch to the overall look.

When creating a fitted sash, it is important to measure the waist accurately and add about 1.5 inches to this measurement to determine the length of the fabric. This extra fabric ensures that the sash can be comfortably fastened without being too tight. For the width of the sash, the standard range is between 1.5 inches to 3 inches, depending on personal preference and body shape.

To attach the fasteners, such as hooks and eyes, follow these steps:

• Attach a small piece of fabric, about 1 inch wide and 1 inch longer than the width of the sash, to bind the edge.
• Fold the top of the fabric piece and stitch the edges securely.
• Turn it to the other side and stitch again, effectively binding the edge. Repeat this process for the other side.
• Attach the hooks and eyes to the bound edges, following the package instructions.

For a bow-tying sash, follow these steps:

• Cut the fabric to the desired length, usually about 2.25 meters to allow for a decent-sized bow and tails.
• Fold the fabric piece horizontally and then vertically, creating a neat rectangle.
• Mark the fabric and cut it to size, ensuring that the edges are straight and even.
• Keep the fabric piece with right sides together and stitch along the edges, leaving a small portion unstitched to turn the sash right side out.
• Use a sharp tool to push out the corners, creating clean edges.
• Close the opening with a slip stitch and press the fabric to smooth out any creases.

Remember, the key to a well-fastened sash is accurate measurements and careful stitching. Always test the fit and adjust as needed before finalizing the fasteners or the bow.

Frequently asked questions