Creating A Wedding Veil: Horsetail Trim, Step-By-Step

Making your own wedding veil is a great way to save money and ensure you get the exact veil you want. While it can be a simple process, it may be time-consuming and difficult, especially if you want to add details like beading or lace, or a horsehair trim. If you're thinking of making your own veil with a horsehair trim, be aware that sewing the horsehair trim onto curved edges can be very difficult, and that horsehair and tulle are not easy materials to work with. However, with some time, patience, and practice, it is possible to create a beautiful veil with a horsehair trim.

How to cut the tulle for your veil

Cutting the tulle for your veil is a crucial step in the veil-making process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cut the tulle for a wedding veil with precision and accuracy:

Decide on the Veil's Length:

Firstly, determine the desired length of your veil. Common veil lengths include a blusher veil (18-24 inches), a waist-length veil (30 inches), a fingertip veil (40 inches), and a chapel-length veil (72 inches). If you want a cathedral-length veil, it should be 108 inches long.

Fold and Measure the Tulle:

Once you've decided on the length, it's time to prepare your tulle fabric. Fold the tulle fabric in half lengthwise. This step ensures that you can measure and cut the fabric accurately.

Mark the Measurement:

Using pins, mark the necessary length based on your chosen veil style. For example, if you're making a blusher veil, mark the fabric at 18-24 inches from the folded edge.

Weigh Down the Fabric:

Before cutting, it's essential to keep the layers of fabric from shifting. Place paperweights or similar objects on top of the fabric to hold the layers together and maintain an even cut.

Cut the Tulle:

Now, you can cut the excess fabric at the point where you placed the pins. Use fabric scissors and long, precise cutting movements to ensure a clean edge.

Create Rounded Corners (Optional):

If you want to soften the ends of your veil, you can round the corners. On the outside edge of the fabric (where the two sides meet), use your scissors to create a gradual curve. This step adds a graceful finish to your veil.

Unfold and Inspect the Edges:

After cutting, unfold the tulle fabric and carefully examine the edges. If you notice any jagged or uneven areas, trim them with scissors to create a smooth and symmetrical edge.

Remember, when cutting tulle, accuracy and precision are crucial. Take your time, measure twice, and cut once to ensure your veil turns out beautifully.

How to attach the veil to a comb or clip

Now that you have your veil fabric and your hair comb or clip, it's time to attach the two together! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the comb

Take a small piece of your veil fabric or some leftover tulle and wrap it around the comb. This will create a base for you to stitch the veil onto. Start at one end of the comb, holding the end of the fabric or tulle strip in place with your thumb. Then, wrap the fabric or tulle around the end of the comb a few times. Continue wrapping across the comb, working your way towards the other end. Adjust the number of wraps depending on how much bulk you want at the comb. Once you reach the other side, wrap the fabric or tulle a few times around the end of the comb again, then trim any excess fabric or tulle and fold under the end to hide any raw edges. Pin this in place and stitch it down by hand.

Step 2: Gather the veil fabric

If you want a veil with two layers of fabric, fold the fabric in half widthwise. Most veils have one layer slightly longer than the other, so play around with this option. You can also skip this step if you only want one layer of fabric or if you're going for a mantilla-style veil with no gathers.

Step 3: Pin the veil to the comb

Decide where you want to place the comb on the veil and mark this area with pins. For a cascading veil, you will gather the centre third of the fabric along the fold. For a standard veil, you will gather all the fabric along the width. Use a running stitch to baste along the gather line, staying within the area marked with pins. It's best to do this twice, about a quarter-inch apart and about a quarter-inch from the fold, as this will give you more control when gathering the fabric.

Step 4: Attach the veil to the comb

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric to the size of the comb. You may not need to pull the threads as tightly as possible, depending on the look you want to achieve. 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 this to the veil. Now, using a needle and thread, stitch the veil to the comb by hand, making sure to work your needle into the wrapped fabric from the previous step. Keep your stitches small and ensure that every gather is stitched down.

Step 5: Cover the gathered edge (optional)

This step is optional, but it will give your veil a more polished look. Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb, plus a few extra inches. Pin the ribbon in place along the comb so that it covers the edges of the gathers and the stitching from the previous step. Stitch the ribbon into place along the top and bottom, wrapping any excess around the back of the comb. If you're using a natural fibre ribbon, tuck under the ends before stitching to prevent fraying.

And there you have it! Your very own handmade wedding veil with a horsehair trim, attached securely to a comb or clip. Now you're ready to walk down the aisle in style!

How to add a ribbon trim to your veil

Adding a ribbon trim to your veil is a great way to finish the edges and add a little extra detail to your wedding veil. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Ribbon

Before you start, decide how much ribbon you will need. Measure the perimeter of your veil and cut the ribbon to size, adding a few extra inches to be safe. If you are using grosgrain ribbon, carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying. If you are using natural fibres, simply tuck the ends of the ribbon under before stitching.

Step 2: Pin the Ribbon to the Veil

Place the ribbon along the edge of the veil, with the wrong sides together. Overlap the ends of the ribbon by a few inches and tuck them under to prevent fraying. Pin the ribbon in place all the way around the veil.

Step 3: Sew the Ribbon in Place

Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing with small stitches, sew the ribbon to the veil, working as close to the edge of the fabric and trim as possible.

Step 4: Flip the Ribbon

Flip the ribbon so that the right side is now showing on top of the right side of the veil. Press carefully with an iron on low heat. Pin the ribbon in place as you press.

Step 5: Stitch the Ribbon Down

Stitch the ribbon down on the right side of the fabric, again working close to the edge. If you are using a delicate trim, you may need to sew this part by hand.

And that's it! Your veil is now ready to be attached to a comb or clip and worn on your wedding day.

How to add decorative elements to your veil

Now that you have the basic structure of your veil, you can start to add decorative elements such as lace, beading, or horsehair trim. Here are some tips and instructions for adding these details:

• If you plan to add lace or beading to your veil, it will take longer than a basic veil and will depend on how much you intend to add. You can hand sew the lace or beading to the edge of the veil, or you can attach it to the comb before stitching the veil to the comb.
• When working with horsehair trim, be aware that sewing it onto curved edges can be difficult. It's a good idea to buy some cheap materials to practice with before you start working on your actual veil.
• To attach the horsehair trim, you can sew it along the edge of the veil. If you're using a transparent nylon horsehair braid, this will help the edge of the veil from appearing in a different tone or shade.
• If you want to add crystals to your veil, you can try using an iron to gently attach iron-on crystals to the tulle. This method is especially useful if you don't have much sewing experience.
• Remember to consider the overall look of your wedding ensemble. Adding too many textures or colours might be overwhelming.

How to hem your veil

Hemming your veil is an important step in ensuring it looks neat and doesn't fray. There are two main ways to hem a veil: a rolled hem or a trimmed hem.

For a rolled hem, you will need a rolled hem foot for your sewing machine. This method creates a minimal and delicate finish. Begin by inserting the fabric into the rolled hem foot, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up. Sew slowly, using both hands to guide the fabric, especially around curves. Work your way around the veil's hem, overlapping slightly at the end. Once complete, check for any areas that need correcting and fix these by hand.

If you are short on time, you can skip hemming altogether and be careful when handling the veil to avoid fraying.

For a trimmed hem, you will need to purchase trim that will go all the way around the edge of the veil. You can use any type of trim you like, such as grosgrain or satin ribbon, or even leftover tulle. Pin the trim to the veil's border, with the wrong sides together, overlapping the ends by a few inches and tucking them under to prevent fraying. Sew all the way around, as close to the edge as possible. Then, flip the trim so that the right side is showing and press with a low iron. Finally, stitch the trim down again, working close to the edge.

If you are adding a horsehair trim to a tulle veil, be aware that this can be challenging. Horsehair and tulle are not the easiest materials to work with, and sewing the horsehair trim onto curved edges can be tricky. It is recommended to buy some cheap materials to practice with first.

Frequently asked questions