Creating A Lace Wedding Veil: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a wedding veil with lace is a fun and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your wedding. It can be done in a few simple steps.

First, decide on the style and length of your veil. The most common wedding veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral.

Next, gather your supplies. You will need tulle (either silk or nylon), nylon micro-filament thread, straight pins, sharp scissors, and any beads or trim you desire. Keep in mind that a wedding veil is oval-shaped, so the width of your tulle should be less than or equal to the length you measured in step one.

Now it's time to cut your tulle. Fold your tulle in half and draw a simple pattern onto a large sheet of paper. Measure from the edge down the length you measured in step one, and then measure the perpendicular direction to create a flat top. Cut along the line you've traced.

The next step is to add your embellishments. You can hand-sew any beads, trim, or lace you choose.

Finally, gather your veil along the flat top and sew it with a simple running stitch. Pull it tight to match the width of your hair comb and attach your veil to the comb by wrapping a piece of tulle over the top and through the teeth. Secure the ends with a few stitches and sew the veil to the tulle.

Choosing the right lace

When choosing lace for your veil, consider the following factors:

• The colour: The lace should complement the colour of your wedding dress. It doesn't have to be an exact match, but it should not clash with your dress.
• The width: The width of the lace should be proportional to the width of your veil. If you are making a wide veil, choose a wider lace trim.
• The weight: Heavy lace will drag down your veil, so if you want a light and ethereal look, choose a lighter-weight lace.
• The style: The style of the lace should complement the style of your wedding dress and the overall theme of your wedding.
• Cut slits or darts in the lace to curve it around the corners of your veil.
• Hand-sew the lace to your veil. You can use clear thread so that your stitches don't show, or white thread, which will be less noticeable on ivory lace.
• Gather the top of your veil before attaching the lace to create a more defined shape.
• If you are using a wide lace trim, you may need to cut it to fit the shape of your veil.
• If you are using a narrow lace trim, you can sew it along the edge of your veil or in a pattern, such as a scalloped edge.

Measuring the veil

Step 1: Decide on the veil's length

The first step in measuring a wedding veil is deciding on the desired length. The veil can be any length, but common lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. The length of the veil will determine the amount of fabric needed. For example, an elbow-length veil will require approximately 72 inches of fabric, while a cathedral-length veil will be much longer.

Step 2: Measure the desired length

Once the desired length has been determined, it is time to measure the veil. Hold a measuring tape at the desired starting point, which could be the top of the head or the back of the head, and measure down to the desired ending point. This measurement will be the length of the veil. It is important to add a few extra inches to this measurement to allow for seam allowances and gathering.

Step 3: Measure the width of the tulle

The width of the tulle fabric should be less than or equal to the measurement taken in step 2. The width of the tulle will determine the fullness of the veil. For a fuller veil, a wider width of tulle can be used.

Step 4: Cut the tulle to size

After measuring the desired length and width, it is time to cut the tulle. Fold the tulle in half and draw a simple pattern on a large sheet of paper, such as wrapping paper. Measure the length from the edge of the paper down to the desired length, marking the bottom of the curve. Then, measure the width of the tulle and mark the flat top of the curve. Cut the tulle along the curve to create a symmetrical veil.

Step 5: Gather the tulle

The final step in measuring the veil is gathering the tulle to create the desired shape. To do this, sew a strip of large straight stitches along the middle of the flat edge of the tulle. The length of the gathered strip should equal the width of the hair comb that will be used to attach the veil. Gather the tulle until it matches the width of the comb.

Cutting the veil

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Tulle

First, decide on the length and style of the veil. The most common wedding veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. For example, if you want an elbow-length veil, measure from the back of your head to the top of your rear, which is about 32 inches. Then, buy the tulle according to the length and width you require. For an elbow-length veil, you will need about 72 inches of fabric.

Next, lay the tulle on a large table or a clean floor and keep it folded in half lengthwise. Now, measure and cut the tulle to the desired length. You can also fold the tulle in half crosswise and then measure and cut if you want a shorter veil.

Step 2: Round the Corners

Now, it's time to round off the top corners of the fabric. You can use a large serving platter or a similar item as a guide to get a smooth, quarter-circle shape.

Step 3: Refold the Tulle

Unfold the tulle completely, so you have one layer. Then, fold the tulle crosswise again, but this time, leave a few inches between the edges for a layered look. You can also match the ends for a single-length veil. If you keep a shorter layer, it can be used as a blusher. Finally, check the length and cut one of the rounded ends shorter if it's too long.

Step 4: Prepare the Tulle for Gathering

Turn the veil 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that the folded edge is at the top and the open, rounded edges are closest to you. Now, decide whether you want the side edges of the veil's layers to come up to the top or not. If you choose to gather the entire width of the tulle, the top of your veil will be fuller and puffier. Once you've decided, you're ready to gather the top of your veil.

Step 5: Gather the Tulle

Using a needle and strong thread, gather the tulle by weaving in and out with small stitches. Pull the thread to gather the tulle so that it is only about 2 inches wide. Knot the thread securely. Now, hold the tulle by the gathered area and give it a gentle shake to let the sides fall gracefully.

Tips:

• Tulle is available in 72" and 108" widths. For a fuller veil, use the 108" wide tulle.
• The length of the fabric 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.
• If you want to add a blusher, you will need to cut a separate piece of tulle and attach it to the comb.

Adding lace trim

Step 1: Prepare the lace trim

Before you start, decide on the style and length of your veil. You can choose from various veil lengths, including shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. The length of your veil will determine the amount of lace trim you need. Cut your lace trim to the desired length, allowing for a little extra for seam allowance. If your lace trim has raw edges, finish them by folding and sewing, or use lace trim with finished edges.

Step 2: Prepare the veil

Gather the materials for your veil, including tulle, a hair comb, needle and thread, scissors, and any other embellishments you want to add. Cut your tulle to the desired shape and size, following the instructions in the previous sections. You can create an oval, circle, or rounded rectangle shape for your veil, depending on your preference.

Step 3: Pin the lace trim to the veil

With your veil laid out flat, start pinning the lace trim around the edges. You may need to cut slits or darts in the lace to curve it around the corners smoothly. Make sure the lace trim is evenly distributed and secured with pins before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Sew the lace trim in place

Using a needle and thread, sew the lace trim onto the veil. You can use a simple running stitch or a whipstitch to attach the lace. Take your time and sew securely, ensuring that the lace trim is firmly attached to the veil.

Step 5: Gather the veil and attach to the comb

Now, it's time to gather the top of your veil and attach it to the hair comb. Decide on the amount of gathering you want, depending on the fullness you desire. Sew a strip of large straight stitches along the middle of the flat edge of the veil, gathering the fabric to match the width of your comb. Secure the ends of the gathering threads by wrapping them around a pin.

Step 6: Sew the veil to the comb

With the right side of the veil facing the inner curved side of the comb, sew the veil to the comb. You can use a needle and thread to sew by hand, or you may use a sewing machine if you prefer. Make sure the veil is securely attached to the comb.

Step 7: Finish the comb (optional)

For a more polished look, you can cover the gathered edge of the veil and the comb with a piece of ribbon or tulle. Cut a length of ribbon or tulle slightly longer than the width of your comb. Wrap it around the top of the comb, securing the ends with a few stitches. This will give your veil a neat and finished appearance.

Your lace-trimmed wedding veil is now complete! Enjoy your beautiful creation and feel proud of your handiwork as you walk down the aisle.

Attaching the veil to a comb

Step 1: Gather the veil

Before attaching the veil to a comb, you need to gather the veil. To do this, fold the veil in half widthwise. Most veils have one layer that is longer than the other. Play around with the length of each layer to get the desired effect. Once you are happy with the length, mark with pins where you will gather the fabric. This will determine the shape of the veil. For a cascading veil, gather the centre third of the fabric along the fold. For a standard veil, gather the entire width of the fabric. Use a running stitch to baste along the gather line, staying within the area you marked with pins.

Step 2: Pin the veil to the comb

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric to the size of the comb. For most veils, this will not mean pulling the fabric as tightly as possible. 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 it to the veil.

Step 3: Stitch the veil to the comb

By hand, stitch the veil to the comb, working the needle through the gathered fabric. Keep your stitches small and make sure every gather is stitched down. When finished, remove the basting threads.

Step 4: Cover the gathered edge (optional)

This step is completely optional but makes for a prettier comb. Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb, plus a few inches. If you are using grosgrain ribbon, carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the ribbon. 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