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

A wedding gown sash can add a touch of glamour to a bridal look, whether the bride has chosen a simple silk gown or a lacy ornate one. It can also be a fun way to showcase the bride's personal style. A sash can be made using a variety of materials, such as satin ribbon, rhinestones, beads, pearls, and glue. The process involves measuring the ribbon to fit the bride's waist, cutting it to the desired length, and then gluing or sewing on the chosen adornments. It is a simple yet creative project that allows for experimentation with different styles, textures, and sizes of beads and jewels.

Choosing materials

When choosing the materials for your wedding gown sash, it's important to consider the colour, texture, and overall theme of your wedding dress. You can opt for a simple satin ribbon sash or get creative with rhinestones, beads, pearls, and other embellishments.

For a simple and elegant look, choose a satin ribbon that complements your dress colour. If you want to add a bit of sparkle, consider a sash with rhinestones, pearls, or glass beads. You can also mix and match different textures and sizes of beads to create a unique design. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own sash by gluing or sewing rhinestones and beads onto a ribbon.

When selecting the ribbon for your sash, consider the length and width that will best suit your gown. A longer sash will be needed if you plan to tie it in a bow or criss-cross it in the back. A wider ribbon will be more prominent, while a thinner ribbon will be more subtle.

If you're attaching embellishments to your sash, choose a variety of styles, textures, and sizes of beads, rhinestones, or pearls. Select beads that are all within the same colour family to ensure a cohesive look. You can also add some "something blue" to your sash for a bit of good luck.

Finally, consider the type of adhesive or sewing materials you will need. If you're gluing embellishments, choose a strong fabric glue that will keep your gems in place, such as E600 Glue. If you're sewing, make sure you have a needle and coordinating thread.

Cutting the ribbon

Firstly, determine the length of the ribbon you will need. The standard length for a wedding gown sash is usually between 2 to 4 yards, allowing for a beautiful bow to be tied at the back. If you are making a longer sash, you may need to join multiple pieces of ribbon together. This can be done by cutting the ribbon on the bias, which gives it more stretch and flexibility. However, if your ribbon is not wide enough to cut on the bias, you can also cut it in a traditional straight line and assume it will hang well when tied loosely.

When cutting the ribbon, use sharp fabric scissors to ensure a clean cut. Cut the ribbon in a slow and controlled manner to achieve a straight line. If you are cutting multiple pieces, ensure they are all the same length and width. Before cutting, consider the type of fabric you are using. If it is a lightweight fabric, you may need to add interfacing to the waist to provide more structure. On the other hand, if you are using a medium or heavy satin or taffeta, you may not need interfacing.

After cutting the ribbon, it is a good idea to test it before stitching. Wrap it around your waist or that of the wearer to see how it falls and adjust as needed. This will help you determine if the ribbon needs to be cut on the bias or if interfacing is required. If you are joining multiple pieces together, plan for the seams to fall into the bow or knot at the back. This will create a neater appearance and ensure the waist portion fits snugly while the tail ends hang straight.

Finally, consider adding a few inches to the length of the ribbon to account for any errors in cutting or adjustments needed. It is always better to have a little extra ribbon than not enough. Once you are happy with the length and width of the ribbon, you can proceed to the next step of creating your wedding gown sash.

Adding the adhesive

Now that you have gathered your materials, it is time to start crafting your sash. The first step is to cut a piece of iron-on adhesive paper to the same width and length as your chosen applique. Place the applique on top of the adhesive paper and trace around it with a washable marking pen. Cut just inside the lines you have traced to ensure a precise fit.

Next, set your iron to a medium heat setting without steam. Place the shiny side of the adhesive paper down onto the wrong side of the beaded applique. Gently press the iron onto the paper side of the adhesive for a few seconds until it sticks to the applique. Once the adhesive is attached, carefully peel off the backing.

At this point, you should have a sticky side to your applique, ready to be adhered to the ribbon. Place the applique beaded-side down on your ironing board and centre the right side of the ribbon onto the sticky side of the applique. To protect the ribbon from scorching or adhesive stains, use a piece of scrap fabric or a towel as a pressing cloth. Place this on top of the ribbon and applique, and gently press down with the iron for a few seconds until the applique is attached.

Finally, add a few hand stitches to the centre and ends of the applique to ensure it stays securely attached to the ribbon. Be gentle when pulling on the threads to avoid any bunching on the ribbon.

Attaching the applique

Step 1: Cut the Iron-on Adhesive Paper

Place your chosen applique on top of the iron-on adhesive paper. Using a washable marking pen, carefully trace around the outside of the applique. Cut just inside the traced lines with paper scissors. This ensures a neat fit that won't show outside the edges of your applique.

Step 2: Attach the Adhesive to the Applique

Set your iron to a medium heat with no steam. Place the adhesive paper, shiny side down, onto the wrong side (back) of the applique. Gently press the iron onto the paper side of the adhesive for a few seconds until it sticks to the applique.

Step 3: Peel and Stick

Peel off the backing from the adhesive paper. Place the applique, beaded side down, onto your ironing board. Centre the right side of the ribbon onto the sticky, wrong side of the applique. You should now have the two materials ready to adhere together.

Step 4: Press and Protect

Before adhering, find a piece of scrap fabric or a towel to use as a pressing cloth. This will prevent scorching and protect your iron from adhesive. Place the pressing cloth on top of the ribbon and applique. Using an iron with medium heat and no steam, gently press down until the applique is attached to the ribbon. This should only take a few seconds.

Step 5: Stitching

To ensure the applique stays in place, add a few hand stitches to the centre and ends of the applique. Be careful to pull gently on the threads to avoid creating any bunching on the ribbon.

Your applique is now securely attached to your sash ribbon, ready to be tied in a bow around the waist of your wedding gown!

Tying the sash

There are many ways to tie a sash, and it depends on the style of your gown and the look you're aiming for. Here are some ways to tie a sash for a wedding gown:

Traditional Look

If you want a classic and simple look, you can tie the sash around your waist and let the ends hang down at the back. This method is straightforward and elegant, allowing the gown to shine while adding a subtle touch of colour and sparkle.

Modern Look

For a more contemporary feel, you can experiment with different styles. Try criss-crossing the sash at the back, creating an X shape, or go for a bolder look by tying the sash in a bow. A bow can add a playful and romantic touch to the overall ensemble.

Upside-Down Bow

An upside-down bow is another option. This involves tying the bow so that it rests under the sash, resulting in a flatter look. This style is ideal if you want to avoid a bulky bow but still want the softness and dimension that a bow can provide.

Sophisticated Knot

If bows aren't your style, a simple knot can be a sophisticated alternative. This method is sleek and modern, providing a clean finish to the gown. It is a versatile option that can complement various wedding dress styles.

Creative Designs

You can also get creative with your sash by using different types of ribbon, such as satin, and incorporating embellishments like rhinestones, pearls, beads, or glitter. Adding these decorative elements can make your sash unique and glamorous, ensuring it stands out and adds a special touch to your wedding day look.

Frequently asked questions