Diy Wedding Veil: Simple Steps To Create Yours

Making your own wedding veil is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a classic wedding veil:

Step 1: Measure yourself

First, decide where you want your veil to sit on your head. Some brides choose to clip their veil into the top of their head, while others opt for a more romantic style at the back. Next, measure the length of your veil. Common wedding veil lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. For example, if you measure from the back of your head to the top of your rear, it will be around 32 inches or elbow length.

Step 2: Buy tulle and other supplies

In addition to silk or nylon tulle, you'll need nylon micro-filament thread, straight pins, sharp scissors, and any beads or trim you desire. Make sure you have enough supplies, especially tulle, as a wedding veil is usually oval-shaped. For an elbow-length veil, the length of the fabric will be around 72 inches, and the centre of the arc will be 42 inches.

Step 3: Cut your tulle

To ensure your wedding veil is symmetrical, fold your tulle in half. Then, draw a simple pattern onto a large sheet of paper, such as wrapping paper. Measure from the edge down to the length you measured in step 1; this will be the bottom of the curve. As you folded the fabric in half, also measure in the perpendicular direction, which will be the flat top. You can create your own compass by tying a string around a pencil.

Step 4: Add embellishments

The beading, trim, or lace you affix to your veil is entirely up to you. Brides creating their own veils have chosen lace, beads, or ribbon. You'll probably want to hand-sew any embellishments.

Step 5: Affix it to a hair comb

Gather your veil along the flat top and sew it with a simple running stitch. Try to keep the pleats alternating evenly. Pull it tight to match the width of your hair comb. To attach your veil to the comb, wrap a piece of tulle over the top of the comb and through the teeth. Secure the ends with a few stitches and sew the veil to the tulle.

Measure yourself

Making your own veil is a great way to save money and create a custom piece for your wedding. The first step is to measure yourself to determine the length of the veil. Here's how to do it:

• Decide where you want your veil to sit on your head. Some brides choose to clip their veil into the top of their head, while others choose a romantic style at the back of their head.
• Measure from the spot where you want your veil to sit down to where you want it to fall. Common wedding veil lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. For example, if you measure from the back of your head to the top of your rear, it will be about 32 inches or "elbow" length.
• Add a few extra inches to your measurement to allow for seam allowance and gathering.
• If you are making a two-tier veil, you will also need to measure from the spot where you want your veil to sit down over your forehead to your collarbone. This will be the length of the shorter tier, which is often worn over the face during the ceremony.
• Purchase enough tulle or other fabric based on your measurements. Tulle is typically available in widths of 54, 72, or 108 inches. For a fuller veil, choose a wider width.
• If you are making a two-tier veil, you will need twice as much fabric as the length of your longer tier, plus the length of your shorter tier.
• If you are making a single-tier veil, you will need enough fabric to match the length of your measurement.

Buy tulle and other supplies

The first step in making a wedding veil is to buy the supplies. The main material you will need is tulle, which is a type of netting. Tulle is available in most fabric stores and can be found in widths of 72" and 108" inches. For a fuller veil, use the wider tulle. The length of fabric you will need will depend on the desired length of your veil. Measure from the top of your head to where you want the veil to end and double that length. For example, a typical fingertip-length veil will be between three and four feet long, so you will need 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 yards) of tulle.

In addition to tulle, you will also need a needle and thread, a comb or barrette to attach the veil to your hair, and any trim or embellishments you want to add. If you plan to add beads or lace, make sure to buy enough to go around the entire edge of the veil. You will also need scissors and straight pins for cutting and assembling the veil.

When purchasing your supplies, keep in mind that a wedding veil is typically oval in shape. For an elbow-length veil, the length of fabric will be around 72 inches, and the center of the arc will be 42 inches. Double-check the width of your tulle to make sure it is less than or equal to the length you measured.

Cut your tulle

Cutting the tulle is the first step in making your own wedding veil. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cut the Tulle to Length for Your Veil

Lay the tulle out on a large table or a clean floor and keep it folded in half lengthwise (this is how it was at the store). Put the folded edge nearest to you. At this point, you have two layers of tulle.

Now, fold the tulle in half crosswise by grabbing the rightmost edge and folding it over so that it touches the leftmost edge. At this point, you have four layers of tulle.

Measure again how long you want the tulle to be (from the top of your head down) and cut the tulle to that length (keep it folded) if needed.

Step 2: Round Out the Corners of the Tulle

Now, round off the top left edge of the fabric by pinning to mark it and then cutting in a smooth motion. If you need a guide, try using a large serving platter. You want to be left with a quarter-circle shape.

Step 3: Refold the Tulle into Veil Layers

Unfold the tulle completely. At this point, you have one layer of tulle. The dashed orange lines below show where the folds used to be:

Fold the tulle crosswise from right to left, but you don't have to bring it all the way over. You can match the ends up for a single-length veil, or you can leave a few inches between the edges for a nice layered look. If you keep a shorter layer, it can be used as a blusher if you like. At this point, you should verify that the length is exactly what you want, and if it's too long, cut one of the rounded ends shorter, as needed.

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.

Don't be surprised if the veil seems wider than it is long, especially if you are using a really wide tulle or making a fairly short veil. Once you gather it all up in the following step, the proportions will make a lot more sense.

Add embellishments

Embellishments are a great way to make your wedding veil unique. You can use lace, beads, pearls, sequins, embroidery, and more to add a personal touch to your veil. Here are some tips and ideas for adding embellishments to your DIY wedding veil:

Choose Your Embellishments

The type of embellishments you choose will depend on your personal preference and the overall look you want to achieve. You can go for a subtle look with a few scattered embellishments or a bolder look with heavy embellishments. You can also choose a colorful veil and add crystals or pearls for a unique touch. Here are some specific embellishment ideas:

• Lace: You can add lace to your veil by sewing it on by hand. Choose a lace pattern that you like and cut it to the desired size. Pin the lace to the veil and sew it in place using matching thread. You can add lace to the perimeter of the veil or just accent certain areas.
• Beads: Beads can be added to your veil for a touch of sparkle. Use invisible thread and a beading needle to sew the beads onto the veil one by one. You can add beads randomly throughout the veil or create a specific pattern.
• Pearls: Pearls are a classic choice for wedding veils and can be used to create a glamorous or romantic look. You can stick pearls randomly throughout the veil or create a pattern.
• Sequins: Sequins can add sparkle and shine to your veil. You can sew them on by hand or use fabric glue for a quicker option.
• Embroidery: Embroidery can be used to add a unique design or pattern to your veil. You can embroider flowers, stars, or other motifs by hand or using a sewing machine.

Tips for Adding Embellishments

• Plan ahead: Before you start adding embellishments, it's a good idea to plan out the placement of your embellishments. Pin the veil to a dress form or ask a friend to model it for you. This will help you visualize the final look and ensure that your embellishments are placed symmetrically.
• Use recycled materials: You can add a sentimental touch to your veil by using recycled materials. For example, you can use lace from your mother's wedding dress or beads from old jewelry.
• Consider the weight: When choosing your embellishments, keep in mind that heavy embellishments can weigh down the veil and make it uncomfortable to wear. Opt for lightweight materials and distribute the embellishments evenly to avoid putting too much weight in one area.
• Hand sewing: Many embellishments, such as lace and beads, will need to be sewn on by hand. This is because the tulle fabric of the veil is delicate and can be damaged by a sewing machine. Hand sewing also gives you more control over the placement of the embellishments.
• Use clear thread: When sewing on embellishments, use clear or matching thread so that it blends in with the veil. This will make your stitches less noticeable.
• Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different types and placements of embellishments. You can always remove stitches or use fabric glue for temporary embellishments to test out different looks.

Affix it to a hair comb

Now that you've cut your tulle and added any embellishments, it's time to attach your veil to a hair comb. Gather your veil along the flat top and sew it with a simple running stitch. Try to keep the pleats alternating evenly. Now, pull it tight to match the width of your hair comb. To attach your veil to the comb, wrap a piece of tulle over the top of the comb and through the teeth. Then, secure the ends with a few stitches and sew the veil to the tulle. You’re done! Now you’ve got a gorgeous custom wedding veil!

If you want to add a little extra something to your veil, you can cover the gathered edge with a length of ribbon. Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb plus a few inches. Pin the ribbon in place along the comb so that it covers the edges of the gathers and the stitching from attaching the veil to the comb. Stitch into place along the top and bottom, wrapping the ends of the ribbon around the back of the comb. For natural fibre ribbons, tuck under the ends of the ribbon before stitching into place to prevent fraying. For veils where the comb is completely underneath the tulle, the ribbon won't wrap around. Simply tuck under the ends and keep the ribbon along the top of the comb.

Frequently asked questions