Create A Tulle Wedding Garter: Step-By-Step Guide

Tulle wedding garters are a fun and unique accessory for brides to wear on their special day. They are also a great DIY project, as they can be made in under an hour with some simple materials and sewing skills. To make a tulle wedding garter, you will need tulle fabric, elastic, scissors, and any desired embellishments such as rhinestones, feathers, or ribbon. The process involves measuring the circumference of your leg to cut the elastic to size, gathering the tulle fabric, and sewing it all together. With some creativity and personal touches, you can make a beautiful and custom garter for your wedding day.

Measuring the tulle

Measure the Leg Circumference:

Start by measuring the circumference of the leg where the garter will be worn. This is typically around the thigh area. Use a flexible measuring tape to get an accurate measurement.

Calculate the Tulle Length:

The length of tulle you need will depend on the desired fullness and gather of your garter. A common formula is to take your leg circumference measurement and add 7 inches for the desired amount of gathering. For example, if your leg circumference is 14 inches, you would add 7 inches, resulting in a tulle length of 21 inches.

Cut the Tulle:

Using sharp fabric scissors, cut the tulle to the calculated length. It is recommended to cut the tulle a little longer if you are unsure, as you can always trim it down later. You will need two pieces of tulle for the garter, so cut them to the same length.

Layer and Pin the Tulle:

Stack the two pieces of tulle together, lining up the edges as best you can. Tulle can be a bit tricky to layer, but don't worry if they are not perfectly centered. Once stacked, pin along the length of the tulle to secure the layers together.

Gathering the Tulle (Optional):

If you want to create a gathered effect, you can sew a gathering stitch down the center of the tulle layers. Lengthen your stitch length and leave long thread tails. Gently pull on the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until it is approximately twice the original measurement. Distribute the gathers evenly along the thread.

Forming the Tulle Loop:

Once you have the desired amount of gathering, match up the ends of the tulle, creating a loop. Place the right sides of the tulle together and stitch along the raw edges, leaving a small seam allowance. Turn the tulle loop right side out.

Attaching the Tulle to the Elastic:

You will now attach the tulle loop to the elastic band you have prepared. Divide both the tulle loop and the elastic into quarters and match up the quarter points. The elastic will be smaller than the tulle loop. Using a narrow zig-zag stitch, sew down the center of the tulle, securing it to the elastic as you go. Gently stretch the elastic as you sew to match the length of the tulle. Stitch around the entire length of the garter to complete the attachment.

Finalizing the Tulle:

You can now remove the gathering stitches if they are visible. Embellish the tulle as desired, such as by adding feathers, rhinestones, or other decorative elements. Make sure to stitch or glue these elements securely in place.

Remember, these measurements and calculations are just a guide, and you can always adjust them to achieve your desired fit and look. With careful measuring and precise cutting, you'll have a beautifully crafted tulle wedding garter.

Cutting the tulle

Firstly, you will need to measure the circumference of your leg, or the leg of the person you are making the garter for, at the point where the garter will be worn. For example, let's say this measurement is 14". To ensure a snug fit, you should then subtract 3" from this number, giving you 11". This will be the length you cut your elastic to.

Now, to calculate the length of your tulle, take your original measurement (14") and add 7", giving you 21". So, cut your tulle to 21" in length.

Next, you will want to cut your tulle into multiple pieces. For a full, gathered look, cut three lengths of tulle, each measuring three times your original measurement (3 x 14" = 42"). This will give you three 42" strips of tulle.

Once you have your three pieces, stack them on top of each other, and then cut them down the center. You will now have six strips of tulle, each measuring 21" in length. Don't worry if the pieces aren't perfectly centered; it's more important that your cuts are straight.

Now you are ready to assemble your garter! Stack all six pieces of tulle together and pin them along the length to secure them in place. Leaving your bobbin and needle threads long, and your stitch length lengthened, stitch down the center of your tulle to create a gathering stitch. Do not backstitch.

Take one of the long bobbin threads and gently pull to gather the fabric. Continue pulling until the fabric is gathered to twice your original measurement (2 x 14" = 28"). Distribute the gathers evenly along the thread.

Once your gathers are evenly distributed, place the right sides of the tulle together and match up the ends. Stitch 1/4" away from the raw edges to create a loop. Turn the loop right-side out, and you will have a beautiful, gathered tulle band.

Now you can attach your elastic and continue with the rest of the garter-making process!

Sewing the tulle

Cutting the Tulle:

First, you will need to cut your tulle pieces. The number of layers you choose for your garter will depend on the desired thickness. For a fuller look, you can opt for 3-5 layers of tulle. Cut each piece of tulle to be slightly longer than the length of your elastic band, which was previously measured to fit snugly around the bride's thigh.

Preparing the Tulle:

Stack all the cut tulle pieces together. Pin along the length of the tulle to keep the layers in place. You can also stitch down the centre of the tulle layers to create a gathering stitch. This will help you gather the fabric evenly.

Gathering the Tulle:

Now, it's time to gather the tulle. Take one of the long threads from the gathering stitch and gently pull to create the desired amount of gathering. Distribute the gathers evenly along the length of the thread. This process will add volume and texture to your garter.

Once the tulle is gathered to your liking, it's time to sew the tulle layers together. Place the right sides of the tulle fabric together, matching up the ends. Stitch along the raw edges, creating a loop with the gathered tulle. Turn the tulle right side out, so the seam is hidden on the inside.

Attaching the Tulle to the Elastic:

You will now attach the tulle loop to the elastic band you previously cut. Divide both the tulle loop and the elastic band into quarters. Place the elastic loop inside the tulle loop, matching up the quarter points. The elastic band will be smaller than the gathered tulle. Using a narrow zig-zag stitch, sew down the centre of the tulle, securing the tulle to the elastic as you go. Gently stretch the elastic as you sew to ensure an even distribution. Stitch around the entire length of the garter to securely attach the tulle to the elastic.

Finishing Touches:

You can now remove the gathering stitches if they are visible. Embellish the garter as desired, such as by adding feathers, rhinestones, or a satin bow. You can also add a small charm or button for a personalised touch.

Attaching the elastic

Firstly, cut your elastic to your predetermined size. To do this, take the measurement of the thigh where the garter will sit and multiply this number by 0.75. Then, add 0.5 inches for seam allowance. Cut your elastic to this length.

Now, match up the raw ends of the elastic, with the right sides together. Stitch 0.25 inches away from the raw ends, backstitching to reinforce the seam. Open up the seam and stitch down the seam allowance.

Next, divide your tulle loop and elastic loop into quarters. Place the elastic loop inside the tulle loop, matching up the quarter points. Your elastic will be smaller than the gathered tulle. Using a narrow zig-zag stitch, sew down the centre of the tulle, securing the tulle to the elastic as you go. Gently stretch the elastic as you sew so that it stretches to the length of the tulle. Stitch around the entire length of the garter.

You can now gently remove the gathering stitches. If they are not very visible, you can choose to leave them in place.

Embellishing the garter

For instance, you could add a shocking pink flower and a fun addition of a curly ostrich feather to your garter. First, determine how much feather you want on the garter, separate the feathers into a small group, and tightly wind a piece of thread around the section, securing it with a knot. Clip the feathers just below the base and secure the section with a bit of hot glue. Place a dot of hot glue on the garter, and secure the feather section with a needle and thread.

You could also add some bling to your garter by gluing a pearlie and a rhinestone into the centre of the flowers for added detail. If you want to add a button, simply sew it onto the ribbon.

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