Creating A Wedding Headdress: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding headdresses come in many different styles, from tiaras to flower crowns, and you can make them yourself. You can create a unique, beautiful headpiece with a small veil, or a crocheted headpiece, or even a Frida Kahlo-inspired headdress. Making your own headdress allows you to add a personal touch to your wedding outfit and express your style. Whether you're aiming for a vintage, bohemian, or regal look, there are many ways to create a wedding headdress that suits your taste.

How to make a crocheted wedding headdress

A crocheted wedding headdress is a beautiful, elegant, and unique accessory to make for your wedding day. It can be a simple yet stunning finishing touch to your bridal look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create your own:

Materials:

• Steel crochet hooks in sizes 7 and 12 (US)
• AUNT LYDIA’S® Classic Crochet Thread, Size 10, in #1 White
• Fabric flowers and leaves (optional)
• Thin wire (optional, ideally 0.4mm)
• Thin headband (optional)
• Gold baubles or similar decorations (optional)
• Needle and thread
• Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1: Start by gathering all your materials. If you want to add flowers and leaves like in Frida Kahlo's style, cut your wire to the length of your arm. If you're keeping it simple, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Using the suggested crochet thread and hooks, start crocheting your headdress. You can follow the free pattern by Helen Sweet, which is rated highly by many crafters.

Step 3: If you're adding flowers, wrap the wire three times around your headband, and then wrap it around the base of the first flower to attach it to the band.

Step 4: After attaching each flower, wire a leaf to it. This will help pack out the headdress and give it a full look.

Step 5: Continue adding flowers and leaves until you have at least three sets. Then, thread your needle with a double thread and knot at the end.

Step 6: Go back to the first flower and stitch through the flowers and around the band to secure them and prevent slipping.

Step 7: Trim the edges of the largest leaves. You can use these as cover-up pieces to hide any wiring and give a professional finish. Wrap these pieces around the headband and between the flowers and leaves. Pin them into place.

Step 8: Stitch carefully with a thread that matches the colour of your leaves. Use small stitches and finish off with a double stitch for security.

Step 9: If you're using baubles or similar decorations, stitch through the stem or base and secure them at the centre of the flowers. You can also use sticky tape at the bottom of the stem if needed.

Step 10: Take a step back and assess your creation. You can keep it simple or add more flowers and decorations. It's your headdress, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Remember to try it on as you work, and ensure that all stitches are covered and secure. This project requires some time and patience, but the result will be a unique and beautiful accessory for your special day.

How to attach flowers to a wedding headdress

To attach flowers to your wedding headdress, you will need flowers, a thin headband, thin wire (ideally 0.4mm), a needle, and thread.

First, cut your wire to no longer than an arm's length. Start by wrapping the wire three times around the headband and then wrap it around the base of the first flower, attaching the flower to the band. Every time you wire on a flower, follow this step by wiring on a leaf. This will help to pack out the headdress and give it a full look. Once you have three flowers and leaves wired on, thread your needle with a double thread and a knot at the end. Go back to the first flower and stitch through the flowers and around the band to stop the flowers from slipping and to keep everything secure.

You can also use hot glue to attach flowers to a headdress. Cut the stems of your flowers and position them in the desired direction. As you wrap the stem with tape, place it over the top and slightly stretch it.

How to make a zip-tie sunburst headdress

A zip-tie sunburst headdress is an easy DIY project that can add a unique and creative touch to your wedding look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a stunning zip-tie sunburst headdress:

Materials:

• A plain headband, preferably a narrow metal one.
• Zip ties in two different sizes, 4" and 5.6". It is recommended to use black zip ties, but any colour can work.
• Sparkly accents such as beads, sequins, or glitter (optional).
• Spray paint in a colour of your choice, preferably gold.
• Glue, such as Gem-Tac or thick super glue.

Instructions:

• Find the upper centre point of your headband and attach one of the longer zip ties there, pulling it tight to secure it in place. This will form the peak of your headdress.
• Add three smaller zip ties on either side of the central long tie, ensuring they are all facing the same direction and are tightly secured.
• Continue building the sunray pattern by adding a longer zip tie on each end, followed by three more shorter zip ties on both sides.
• Repeat this pattern until most of the headband is covered, leaving a few inches at the bottom for comfort.
• Prepare your work area by covering it with newspaper, plastic, or a large box to protect it from the spray paint.
• Spray paint one side of your headdress, using short, light sweeps to avoid drips. Allow the paint to dry.
• Once dry, flip the headdress over and spray paint the other side. A small amount of the black zip tie showing through can add visual depth to the piece.
• Examine the headdress for any spots with inadequate paint coverage and touch them up as needed.
• Once the paint is completely dry, bring the headdress indoors and embellish it with sparkly accents if desired. For example, you can use a small amount of super glue to attach three gold beads to the end of each longer zip tie.

Your zip-tie sunburst headdress is now ready to shine on your special day! This unique and budget-friendly accessory is sure to make a statement and impress your wedding guests.

How to make a veil for your wedding headdress

Making your own veil is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful veil for your wedding headdress.

Plan your veil

Before you start making your veil, there are a few things to consider:

• Length and style: The length and style of your veil will influence the type of headdress you pair it with. For example, short veils go well with smaller, more delicate headpieces, while longer veils work better with more substantial headpieces.
• Aesthetic: Your veil and headdress should complement each other and your wedding dress. For instance, if your veil is simple, you can add a more ornate headdress to accentuate the details on the back of your dress.
• Placement: The way you position your veil and headdress can significantly impact your overall bridal look. A classic placement is at the front/top of your head, while a contemporary look involves placing the headdress with the veil underneath at the top of an updo or half-up hairstyle.

Gather your supplies

The main supply you'll need is tulle (netting), which you can find at any fabric store. The length of tulle you'll need will depend on your desired veil length. Measure from the top of your head to where you want the veil to end and double that length. For example, a fingertip-length veil is typically between three and four feet long, so you'll need 6 to 8 feet of tulle.

Other supplies include a needle and thread, a comb or barrette to attach the veil, and any trim or decorations you want to add.

Cut the tulle to length

Lay the tulle out on a large table or clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. Put the folded edge nearest to you. Now, fold the tulle in half crosswise by bringing the rightmost edge over to touch the leftmost edge. You should now have four layers of tulle.

Measure again to ensure you have the desired length and cut the tulle if needed.

Shape the veil

To create a rounded edge at the top left of the fabric, use a pin to mark the spot and then cut in a smooth motion. You can use a large serving platter as a guide if needed. You want to end up with a quarter-circle shape.

Refold the tulle

Unfold the tulle completely so that you have one layer. Now, fold the tulle crosswise from right to left, but you don't need to bring it all the way over. You can match the ends for a single-length veil or leave a few inches between the edges for a layered look.

Turn the veil 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that the folded edge is at the top, farthest away from you, and the open rounded edges are closest to you.

Gather the center of the tulle

Decide if you want the side edges of your veil's two layers to come up to the top. If you choose to have the edges come up, the top of your veil will be fuller and puffier. Once you've made your decision, gather the top of your veil using a needle and strong thread, weaving in and out with small stitches.

Pull the thread to gather the tulle to about 2 inches wide and knot the thread securely.

Attach the veil to a clip or comb

To wear the veil, you'll need to attach it to something like a simple French comb, a barrette, or a headpiece. Take the gathered portion of tulle at the top center and sew it securely to your chosen clip or comb.

If you plan to wear a tiara and want to remove the veil for the reception while keeping the tiara on, sew the veil to a simple French comb so you can easily take the veil off later.

Add optional trim and decorations

Your veil is now ready to wear, but you may want to add some finishing touches. A popular option is to sew a thin satin ribbon along the edges of the veil, which you can do easily with a sewing machine and some white thread.

When sewing, there's no need to get the ribbon right up against the end of the tulle—simply leave some extra ribbon and trim it later. Go back with scissors and trim the excess tulle right next to the ribbon.

You can also sew or glue tiny sparkling beads or gemstones onto your veil for extra sparkle. Get creative and make your veil unique!

How to make a Frida Kahlo-inspired wedding headdress

Materials Needed:

• A base for your headdress: This could be a stiff headband, a hair comb, or a flexible wire headband that you can mold to your head.
• Artificial flowers: Look for bright, vibrant colors such as red, pink, yellow, and orange. Silk or fabric flowers will be the most realistic and easiest to work with. You'll want a variety of sizes, including some larger blooms and some smaller buds and sprigs.
• Feathers: Opt for colorful, long feathers that will add height and drama to your headdress.
• Ribbons: Choose widths that you can use to tie the headdress to your head, and also thinner widths to add detail and to secure the flowers and feathers to the base. Go for vibrant colors that complement your flower choices.
• Beads, jewels, and/or sequins: These will add sparkle and detail to your headdress.
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks: Essential for securing all the elements to your headdress.
• Scissors: You'll need these to cut the ribbons and any excess flower or feather stems.

Instructions:

• Start by laying out all your materials and cutting any excess stems from your flowers and feathers to prepare them for gluing.
• If you are using a plain headband or hair comb, you may want to wrap it in ribbon first, securing the ends with hot glue. This will give your headdress a more finished look.
• Plan the arrangement of your flowers and feathers before you start gluing. Play around with different combinations and placements until you find a composition that you like. Remember that Frida Kahlo's style was often asymmetrical, so you don't need to place the largest flowers in the center.
• Begin gluing your flowers and feathers to your base, working in small sections. Use the ribbons to secure the stems and add extra detail. For example, you could glue a feather so that it stands straight up from the headdress, and then glue a thin ribbon around the base of the feather, tying it in a bow.
• Continue adding flowers, feathers, and ribbons until you are happy with the fullness and composition of your headdress.
• Finally, add your beads, jewels, or sequins to give your headdress that extra Frida Kahlo-inspired sparkle. Use your hot glue gun to secure these elements, being careful not to burn yourself.

Your Frida Kahlo-inspired wedding headdress is now ready for your special day! This bold and colorful statement piece will definitely turn heads and add a unique touch to your wedding outfit.

Frequently asked questions