Creating A Wedding Veil Fascinator: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding veils can be expensive, and it can be difficult to find exactly what you want. Luckily, they are not complicated to make, but they do take time and patience. Before you start making your fascinator, decide on the veil length and style. The most common veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, ankle, and chapel. You can also add a blusher veil, which is a veil that covers the bride's face as she walks down the aisle. Once you've decided on the length and style, you'll need to gather your materials, including tulle, a comb, scissors, thread, and needles. You'll also want to decide if you want to add any embellishments, such as lace, beads, or ribbons.

Choosing the veil length

When making a wedding fascinator with a veil, choosing the right veil length is essential to achieving the desired look. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the length of your veil:

Common Veil Lengths:

The most common wedding veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, ankle, and chapel. These lengths offer versatility and can complement different dress styles. For example, a shoulder-length veil can be paired with a dress that has a low back, an elbow-length veil goes well with an embellished back, and a fingertip veil suits ball gowns.

Blusher Veil:

If you want to include a blusher veil, which traditionally covers the bride's face as she walks down the aisle, you'll need to add that length to your veil. A blusher veil is typically about shoulder length. If you opt for a blusher, you'll need to consider the overall length of your veil, ensuring the longer piece measures the length of the second veil.

Veil Shape and Layers:

The shape of your veil can be oval, circle, or rounded rectangle. The number of layers is also important to consider, as most veils have two layers, and you'll need to multiply the length by the number of layers when determining the total fabric required. For example, if you want a fingertip veil with two layers, you'll need approximately 12 inches of fabric for the length.

Floor-Length Veils:

If you're considering a floor-length veil, such as a chapel or cathedral veil, remember that the full width of the fabric will be on display behind the bride. Opting for a narrower fabric, around 72 inches in width, will ensure the veil drags well and doesn't overtake the aisle.

Personal Preference and Proportion:

Ultimately, choosing the veil length is a matter of personal preference and what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Consider trying on different veil lengths with your dress to see what flatters your silhouette and gown the most. You can also take measurements to ensure the veil length suits your proportions.

Adding a blusher veil

To make a blusher veil for your wedding fascinator, start by cutting your chosen fabric, such as tulle, to the desired length. Remember to add a few extra inches for seam allowance and gathering. You can create a rounded rectangle shape by folding the fabric in half lengthwise and widthwise, then trimming the corners accordingly. If you prefer an oval or circular veil, adjust your cutting technique.

Once you have the desired shape, it's time to hem the edges. A rolled hem is a popular choice, as it prevents fraying with minimal visual impact. Alternatively, you can opt for a trimmed hem by pinning and sewing a trim, such as ribbon or lace, along the edge of the veil.

The next step is to prepare the comb that will attach to your fascinator. Cut a strip of tulle or ribbon about 1-inch wide and long enough to wrap around the comb. Securely wrap the strip around the comb, covering the teeth, and stitch it in place. This will create a platform for attaching the veil.

Now, it's time to gather the veil fabric. Fold the fabric in half widthwise, and mark the area you want to gather with pins. Use a running stitch along the gather line, and then pull on the threads to create the desired amount of gathering. Play around with the length of each layer, if you want one layer to be longer than the other.

Pin the gathered fabric to the prepared comb, adjusting it to achieve your preferred style. Check the shape and fit before stitching the veil to the comb by hand. You can also add a ribbon to cover the gathered edge for a prettier finish.

And there you have it! You've added a blusher veil to your wedding fascinator. This delicate and traditional detail will surely add a touch of romance to your special day.

Cutting the veil fabric

The first step to making your veil is to decide on the veil length and shape. The most common wedding veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, ankle, and chapel. You can also decide to add a blusher veil, which is a veil that covers the bride's face as she walks down the aisle. If you opt for a blusher veil, you will need to add that length to the overall veil.

Once you have decided on the length and style, it is time to cut the fabric to size. First, cut the fabric to the required length. An easy way to do this is to fold the fabric in half lengthwise, measure the length, and use a long ruler to square off and cut the edge with a rotary cutter. If you are using very wide fabric, you may need to fold it in half twice to ensure the length is consistent.

After cutting the length, you will need to even out the long edges by removing the selvedges. Keep the fabric folded in half lengthwise, and then fold it again widthwise so that the selvedges are stacked together. For very long veils, you may need to fold it a second time to fit the fabric on the table. Using a long ruler or straight edge, cut off the selvedges so that the corners of the fabric are 90 degrees and even along the long edge.

Now it is time to trim the corners into your desired shape. The most common shapes are oval, circle, or rounded rectangle. With the fabric still folded into quarters, stack the corners together and pin along the edges to prevent slipping. As tulle is very thin, it is difficult to draw directly on it, so try using a piece of paper to mark the desired curve. Place the paper under the tulle and use a fabric marker to transfer the curve. Cut along the marked line, creating four identical curves. For an oval shape, the curve will start and end at the folds, and for a circle, you will need to measure the radius and mark the distance from the centre.

Finally, unfold your fabric and check that you are happy with the shape and length. If you are satisfied, you can move on to the next step of hemming the edges.

Attaching the comb

Now that you have gathered the veil, it's time to attach it to the comb. For most veils, you will have two layers of fabric. If you want a blusher, the comb will go on the underside (wrong side) of the veil. If you want a mantilla-style veil, you don't need to gather the fabric.

First, fold the fabric in half widthwise (like a hamburger). Most veils have one layer that is slightly longer than the other. Play around with this option now. For example, you could make the top layer about 10 inches shorter than the bottom layer to highlight any lace edging you add later.

If you don't want a blusher but only want one layer of fabric, skip the folding. Mark with pins where you will gather the fabric. This determines the shape of the veil. For a cascading veil, gather the centre third of the fabric along the fold. For a standard veil, gather the entire width of the fabric.

Now, baste along the gather line, using a running stitch and staying within the area you marked with pins. If you're in a hurry, use a sewing machine on the longest stitch size to do this. The trickiest part is dealing with how light the tulle is – it will want to pull and stretch itself out.

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric to the size of the comb. For most veils, this won't mean pulling as tightly as possible. Pin the gathers into place along the top of the comb. Hold the ends of the basting threads in place by wrapping them tightly around a pin and pinning to the veil.

For non-gathered veils, lay out your veil fabric and decide where you want the comb to be. Then, pin it to the comb. Before you start stitching, check the style of the veil. This is the only time when it will be easy to change the shape. If you're stitching solo, use the timer on your camera to get a photo while you model the veil.

Finally, stitch the veil to the comb by hand, working the needle into the wrapped fabric. Keep your stitches small and make sure every gather is stitched down. When you're finished, remove the basting threads.

Embellishing the fascinator

Firstly, decide on the level of decoration you want. Fascinators can be simple or extravagant, with a wide range of materials to choose from. Flowers, feathers, ribbons, pearls, and lace are all options to adorn your fascinator. You could opt for a minimalist look with a single statement flower or feather, or go for a more ornate design with a cluster of decorations. If you're feeling bold, you could even add a veil for a touch of vintage glamour.

If you're a beginner, it's best to start with a simple design and build from there. You can always add more embellishments, but it's harder to take away! Choose a few key decorations and play around with their placement until you find an arrangement that feels balanced and visually appealing. Feathers, for example, can add a dramatic and whimsical touch, while pearls or lace bring a sense of elegance and sophistication.

Once you've decided on the type and amount of embellishments, it's time to attach them securely. You can use a strong craft glue or a hot glue gun for this. Place a small amount of glue on the back of each decoration and firmly press it onto the fascinator base. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres well. If you're using feathers, be careful not to apply too much glue, as it may clump and affect the feather's appearance.

For a cohesive look, consider using decorations in similar colours or themes. For instance, you could opt for all white or ivory embellishments to match a traditional wedding colour scheme. Or, if you're feeling playful, add a pop of colour with your decorations to make them stand out.

Remember, the key to a beautiful fascinator is balance and creativity. Don't be afraid to experiment and trust your instincts. With a bit of imagination, you can create a stunning headpiece that will be the perfect finishing touch to your wedding ensemble.

Frequently asked questions