Creating A Sparkling Crystal Wedding Sash

Creating a crystal wedding sash is a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your bridal attire. With the right materials and a bit of craftsmanship, you can make a beautiful sash that complements your wedding gown perfectly. This project allows you to bring your dream wedding to life while also keeping costs down. The process involves carefully selecting a colour and type of ribbon, choosing crystals and pearls, and then meticulously hand-stitching them onto a felt pattern. The finished crystal applique is then glued onto the ribbon, and the ends are angled for a neat finish. This guide will teach you how to create a stunning crystal wedding sash that will become a cherished family heirloom.

Choosing your materials

The materials you choose for your crystal wedding sash will depend on your personal preference, the colour of your wedding gown, and the level of customisation you want to achieve. Here is a list of materials to consider:

• Ribbon: The ribbon will serve as the base of your sash. You can choose a satin double-faced ribbon in a colour that complements your wedding gown. Common colours include ivory, peach, white, blush pink, taupe, or black. Consider the width and length of the ribbon, ensuring it suits your gown. For example, a 38mm width and 2.75-metre length ribbon was used in a tutorial. You can also opt for a soft ribbon or a double-sided satin ribbon.
• Rhinestones and Crystals: These will be the focal point of your sash, adding sparkle and elegance. Consider the size, shape, and colour of the rhinestones and crystals. For instance, you might choose Navette Rhinestones, Round Sew-on Rhinestones, or Round Loch Rosen Rhinestones. Ensure that the crystals have holes for stitching or settings to secure them in place.
• Pearls: Pearls can be used to add a subtle contrast to the rhinestones and crystals. Consider using resin pearls in a colour that complements your overall design.
• Felt: Felt will serve as the base for your crystal applique. Choose a lightweight felt, such as Kunin felt, in a colour that matches your ribbon. White felt is a common choice.
• Adhesive: You will need an adhesive to attach your crystal applique to the ribbon. A strong glue like E6000 is recommended, but be sure to work in a well-ventilated area due to the strong fumes.
• Thread and Needle: Choose a coloured thread that matches your ribbon and felt. For example, if you have an ivory ribbon, you might use oyster-coloured thread. Ensure your needle is thin enough for the holes in your crystals and pearls.
• Pen: An ultra-fine felt-tipped pen will be useful for tracing your pattern onto the felt.

When selecting your materials, consider the overall design and colour scheme of your wedding gown and accessories. You can opt for a contrasting colour ribbon to make a bold statement or choose colours that seamlessly blend with your gown for a more subtle effect.

Creating your pattern

For this project, you will need a pen, a circle template, and white felt. You will be tracing three linked circles onto the felt, so ensure you have a steady hand. The pattern is composed of one large 50.8mm circle in the centre, with two 44.45mm circles on each side.

First, hold your felt down and place the circle template on top. Trace the large centre circle first, using the 50.8mm circle on the template. Next, trace the smaller 44.45mm circle on the right side of the centre circle, ensuring it slightly overlaps. Now, do the same on the left side. You should now have three interlinking circles.

Now, cut your pattern out of the felt with scissors. Cut closely inside the pen marks to avoid any pen marks showing on the white felt. If you do have a couple of light pen marks, don't worry, as these should be covered by the beads and crystals.

Now that you have your base pattern, you can begin to add the crystals and pearls.

Stitching your crystals and pearls

Now that you have cut your pattern out of the felt, it's time to stitch on your crystals and pearls. This will be done by hand, and you will be working in rows. To begin, cut a long piece of thread from your spool and thread your needle. Remember to test that your beads can fit over the needle before you start. Next, make a knot at the end of your thread. To do this, poke the end of the thread through the eye of the needle, then slide the needle to the centre of the thread so that it is folded in half. Wrap the two ends of the thread around your pointer finger, then slide your finger back and forth to twist the thread. Roll the loop off your fingertip, grasp the top of the loop, and pinch and pull it downwards to create a knot.

Insert the needle through the bottom of your circle pattern and pull the thread all the way through. This will stop you from pulling further when the knot meets the felt.

For the first row, you will be alternating between crystals and pearls. Pick up one SS19 Pointed Back Crystal and put the needle through two of the four holes in the setting to string the crystal onto the thread. Slide the crystal down to meet the felt pattern, then poke the needle downwards into the felt to secure the bead with a hand stitch. Make sure your stitch is very close and tight to the crystal, and that your beads and crystals are placed tightly together so that the white felt underneath is not visible. Continue to add stitches until you run out of thread.

When you reach the end of your thread, knot it off and cut it, making sure the length doesn't get too short. Poke the tip of the needle through an existing stitch, slip the point under the stitch, and pull to create a loop. Stick the point of the needle through the loop and pull the thread tight. Repeat this step once more to create a secure knot, then cut your thread. Cut a new piece of thread, knot it, and continue adding your beads until you have worked your way around the edge of the pattern.

For the second row, you will be adding all pearls. Begin adding the pearls, hand-stitching them underneath the first row of beads. Make sure these beads are close together, and continue around the pattern to complete the second row.

For the third row, you will be adding the 6mm Round Loch Rosen Crystals. These are the round, flat crystals with a hole in the centre. Sew on these beads in the same way as the others, poking the needle through the centre hole. Once the crystal is lying on the felt, poke your needle to the right side of the crystal, into the felt, to secure one side of the crystal. Poke the needle back through to the front of the felt and through the centre of the crystal, then poke the needle into the left side of the felt, next to the crystal, to secure both sides. Continue this process until you have added the flat crystals to each of the circles in the pattern. Cut your thread and begin a new thread for the next step.

Now, add the 12mm crystal, which is your largest stone, to the centre of the centre circle. Sew on the crystal in the same way as the smaller flat crystals, securing both sides by poking the needle through the front of the felt, directly next to the crystal, and then through the second hole in the crystal.

Next, add the almond-shaped 10x5 Navette Crystals. You will be adding six of these around the largest crystal, staying within the centre circle. Each of these crystals has four holes in the setting, so put the needle through each of the holes to secure both sides. Poke the needle through to the front of the felt, then go through the two holes of the crystal, then through the front of the felt to the back of the felt. Do the same with the second set of holes. Now the crystal is secure. Repeat this process with the rest of the six crystals, forming a circle around the large centre stone. Leave a little room between the centre stone and the Navette crystals.

Finally, add three more Navette crystals to each side circle, in the same way as the previous step. Add two crystals with the ends at an angle, pointing towards the centre, then add the third crystal in between the other two. Fill the extra space in the pattern with pearls.

Attaching the applique to the ribbon

Now that your applique is ready, it's time to attach it to the ribbon. Take your satin ribbon and fold it in half. The centre of the ribbon is where the crystal applique will be attached. You can use scissors to mark the centre, so you know where to glue your applique.

Before you begin, ensure your work area is well-ventilated as the glue you will be using has strong fumes. Add your E6000 glue to the back of the crystal applique. Flip the applique over and place it carefully on the ribbon. Press down on the applique for a few minutes to set the glue.

Once the glue is dry, you can cut the ribbon ends at a slight angle to neaten them. Your bridal sash is now complete! Simply tie the sash around your waist, with the crystal applique at the front, and then tie into a bow at the back.

If you found the hand-stitching aspect of this project overwhelming, you could always simplify the process by purchasing a completed crystal applique from a craft store and gluing it to the ribbon. You could also choose silk or chiffon flowers and attach them instead.

Finishing touches

Now that your crystal applique is glued to your satin ribbon, there are a few more steps to complete your sash.

First, angle the ribbon ends with scissors so they look neat. Then, cut the ribbon on a slight angle. You can use fabric scissors for this step, but regular scissors will work fine, too.

Your bridal sash is now complete! All that's left to do is tie the sash around your waist, with the crystal applique at the front, and then tie into a bow at the back.

If you found the hand-stitching process too overwhelming, you could simplify the process by purchasing a completed crystal applique from a craft store and gluing it to the ribbon. You could also choose silk or chiffon flowers and attach them to the sash.

This project can be adapted for any other sash you'd like to create. For example, you could choose a black satin ribbon, black and silver crystals, and create a gorgeous belt to wear to your next party.

Frequently asked questions