Crafting A Wedding Veil: Adding A Face Veil

Making a wedding veil is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. It's also a fun project that can be done in an afternoon. Here are the steps to make a basic wedding veil:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need tulle (also known as netting), a needle and thread, a comb or barrette to attach the veil, and any trim you want to add, such as ribbon, lace, or beads. Tulle typically comes in widths of 72 or 108 inches, and the length will depend on how long you want your veil to be.

Step 2: Cut the Tulle

Lay the tulle out on a large table and keep it folded in half lengthwise. Then, fold it in half crosswise. Measure the desired length of your veil from the top of your head to where you want it to end, and cut the tulle to that length. If you want a rounded veil, you can round off the corners of the tulle with scissors.

Step 3: Gather the Tulle

Decide whether you want to gather the tulle in the center or across the entire width. Gathering in the center will give a fuller look, while gathering across the width will create a less full veil. Use a needle and strong thread to gather the tulle to the desired width, usually about 2 to 4 inches.

Step 4: Attach the Tulle to a Comb or Barrette

Take the gathered portion of the tulle and sew it securely to your comb or barrette. If you plan to wear a tiara, you can sew the veil to a simple comb so that it can be easily removed later.

Step 5: Add Optional Trim

Your veil is now ready to wear, but you can decorate it further if desired. A popular option is to sew a thin satin ribbon along the edges of the veil. You can also sew or glue on beads, pearls, or other embellishments.

Choosing the right fabric

The first step to making a wedding veil is to decide on the length and style of the veil. The length of the veil will determine the amount of fabric you will need. The most common veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, ankle, and chapel.

The next step is to decide on the fabric. Tulle is the most common fabric used for veils. It is available in different widths, usually 72" and 108", and the width chosen will determine the fullness of the veil. If you are making a shorter veil, a width of 55" can also be used. The wider the tulle, the fuller the veil will be. In addition to tulle, other fabrics such as silk organza can also be used.

When purchasing the fabric, it is important to keep in mind that the veil may require some trimming or edging, so it is advisable to buy slightly more fabric than the desired length to account for any mistakes or adjustments.

For a simple veil without any trim, the fabric can be cut to the desired length, and the edges can be left raw or finished with a rolled hem. If you want to add a trim to the veil, such as ribbon, lace, or beads, it is recommended to use a stiffer tulle so that the trim lays flat. The trim can be sewn on by hand or with a sewing machine, using a thread that matches the colour of the fabric.

Once the fabric has been cut and trimmed, the next step is to gather the fabric at the top to create a fullness effect. This can be done by hand or with a sewing machine, by sewing two rows of stitches across the top of the fabric and then pulling the bobbin threads to gather the fabric. The fabric should be gathered to a width that matches the size of the comb or clip that will be used to attach the veil to the hair.

Finally, the gathered fabric is attached to the comb or clip by stitching it securely in place, making sure that the right side of the fabric is facing up. The comb or clip can be decorated with pearls, beads, or other embellishments to match the wedding dress.

Cutting the fabric

To cut the fabric, first, lay the tulle out on a large table or clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. Then, fold the tulle in half crosswise, bringing the rightmost edge over to the leftmost edge. At this point, you will have four layers of tulle.

Now, measure again how long you want the tulle to be and cut it to that length if needed. To create a rounded veil, round off the top left edge of the fabric by pinning it to mark the desired shape, then cut in a smooth motion. If you need a guide, try using a large serving platter to get a nice curved edge.

If you are making a veil with a blusher, unfold the tulle and fold the top edge down so that it lays on top of the bottom layer of the material. Adjust the length of the top layer to match the desired blusher length.

For a full veil, you will need to cut the tulle to the desired length, which is the sum of the first measurement (length of the longer veil) and the second measurement (length of the blusher).

When cutting the tulle, use a rotary cutter instead of hand scissors to ensure smooth edges.

Adding a trim

Choosing the Right Trim

The type of trim you choose will depend on the style and overall look you want to achieve. Popular options include ribbon, lace, beading, pearls, rhinestones, and flowers. When selecting your trim, consider the weight and flexibility of the material. Delicate trims like lace and ribbon are easy to work with and will drape nicely. Heavier trims like pearls or rhinestones can add a touch of elegance but may require more careful handling to avoid damaging the fabric.

Preparing the Trim

If you are using a trim that needs to be cut to size, such as ribbon or lace, carefully measure and cut it to the desired length. It is better to have slightly more than you need rather than not enough. If your trim has raw edges, you may want to finish them by folding or sewing to prevent fraying.

Attaching the Trim

There are a few different methods for attaching trim to your veil. Here are some common techniques:

• Sewing by hand: This method gives you the most control and is suitable for all types of trim. Use a needle and thread that matches the colour of your veil or trim. You can sew the trim directly to the edge of the veil or create a folded edge by sewing the trim to the wrong side of the veil, then folding it over and stitching in place.
• Sewing with a machine: This method is faster but may be more challenging, especially if you are working with delicate fabrics or trims. Use a straight stitch and go slowly to avoid puckering or bunching.
• Gluing: This method is suitable for trims that cannot be sewn, such as rhinestones or pearls. Use a fabric glue that dries clear and apply it sparingly to avoid staining the fabric.

Positioning the Trim

When positioning your trim, consider the overall look you want to achieve. For a simple and elegant look, place the trim along the edge of the veil. For a more dramatic effect, you can add trim to the body of the veil or create a layered effect by placing trim at different intervals. If you are using a blusher veil, you may want to add trim to the edge of the blusher as well.

Finishing Touches

Once you have attached your trim, take the time to check for any loose threads or uneven edges. Carefully trim any excess fabric or trim, being careful not to cut into the veil itself. If you are using glue, allow it to dry completely before handling the veil. Finally, give your veil a gentle steam or press to remove any wrinkles and give it a polished look.

Gathering the fabric

Step 1: Cut the Tulle

First, determine the desired length of your veil, taking into account whether you want a single or double-tier veil. Cut the tulle fabric accordingly, leaving some extra length for seam allowance and gathering. If you want a rounded veil, cut the bottom corners of the fabric into a curved shape.

Step 2: Fold the Tulle

Fold the tulle fabric in half widthwise, bringing the two narrow edges together. This will create two layers of fabric. If you want a blusher, you can adjust the length of the top layer accordingly.

Step 3: Sew the Gathering Stitches

Using a needle and thread, sew two rows of running stitches across the width of the veil, about 1 inch apart. These stitches will be used to gather the fabric. Leave a long tail of thread at the beginning and end of each row.

Step 4: Gather the Fabric

Now, gently pull on the bobbin threads of the stitches to gather the fabric. Continue gathering until the fabric is the desired width, which should be slightly wider than your comb. For example, if you are using a 3-inch comb, gather the fabric to a width of about 4 inches.

Step 5: Secure the Gathering

Once you have achieved the desired width, tie off the bobbin threads securely with a knot and trim any excess thread. This will hold the gathered fabric in place.

Step 6: Prepare the Comb

If desired, you can wrap the comb with ribbon or fabric to give it a more finished look. Simply wrap the ribbon or fabric around the comb, covering the teeth, and secure it with glue or stitches.

Step 7: Attach the Veil to the Comb

Place the gathered edge of the veil on top of the comb, making sure the right side of the fabric is facing up. Stitch the veil securely to the comb, going through the wrapped fabric or ribbon if you added that. Make sure to stitch through each tooth of the comb for a secure hold.

Step 8: Finish the Edges (Optional)

If desired, you can finish the raw edges of the veil with ribbon or lace. Simply sew the ribbon or lace along the edges of the veil, covering the raw edge. This step will give your veil a more polished look.

Step 9: Embellish (Optional)

If you want to add some extra sparkle or detail to your veil, you can sew or glue on pearls, beads, rhinestones, or other embellishments. You can add these to the comb or scatter them across the veil for a more whimsical look.

Attaching the comb

If you want to add a decorative touch to the comb, you can wrap it in ribbon before attaching the veil. Cut a piece of ribbon to the size of the comb, plus a few extra inches. Wrap the ribbon around the comb, covering the teeth, and secure it with hot glue, stitching, or small knots.

If you want to add further embellishments to the comb, you can sew or glue on pearls, silk flowers, beads, or rhinestones. Make sure to choose embellishments that complement your wedding dress.

Frequently asked questions