Creating A Dreamy Wedding Veil With Lace

A wedding veil is a small but important part of a bride's ensemble. Making your own veil can save you a lot of money and give you the freedom to create something unique.

1. Choose the style and length of your veil. Decide whether you want a single or double layer, and whether you want a blusher, which is the part that goes over your face.

2. Gather your supplies. You will need tulle (also known as netting), a needle and thread, a comb or barrette to attach the veil, and any trim or lace you want to add. The amount of tulle you need will depend on the style and length you choose. For example, a fingertip-length veil will be between three and four feet long, so you'll need 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 yards) of tulle.

3. Cut the tulle to the desired length. Lay the tulle out on a large table or clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. Then, fold it in half crosswise and measure and cut the tulle to the desired length.

4. Round out the corners of the tulle. This will give your veil a softer, more rounded shape.

5. Refold the tulle into veil layers. Unfold the tulle completely, then fold it crosswise again, matching the ends for a single-length veil or leaving a few inches between the edges for a layered look.

6. Gather the centre of the tulle. Decide whether you want the side edges of your veil to come up to the top. Gathering only the centre will give you a fuller, puffier look at the top.

7. Attach the veil to a comb or clip. You can use a simple French comb, a barrette, or any headpiece you prefer. Sew the gathered portion of the tulle securely to your clip.

8. Add lace or other trim to your veil. Pin the lace or trim around the edges of the tulle, then sew it on by hand or with a sewing machine.

9. Add any other decorative elements, such as beads or gemstones. Sew or glue these onto your veil by hand.

Choose your veil style and length

Wedding veils come in a variety of lengths, from a short, flirty birdcage veil that covers just the eyes, to a dramatic cathedral-length veil that extends beyond the train of the bride's gown.

The length of your veil will depend on the style of your wedding and your dress. If you're going for a vintage look, a birdcage veil is a great option. For a more conservative ceremony, an elbow-length veil is an elegant way to cover up without being too bulky. If you want to show off the details of your dress, a shoulder-length veil is a good choice. A fingertip veil is a versatile option that works with a range of dress styles and venues, from a church to a beach wedding.

If you're looking for something more dramatic, a waltz or ballet-length veil falls below the hips and can be a great option for the reception if you want to keep your veil on for dancing. A floor-length veil will add extra volume to your look, while a chapel-length veil will create the illusion of a train without the need for bustling.

The longest veil option is the cathedral-length veil, which is perfect for a grand, traditional wedding. This veil will extend beyond the train of your gown and create a regal entrance.

When choosing the length of your veil, consider your hairstyle as well. If you're wearing an updo, a shorter veil can be placed below the bun to show off the hairstyle. If you're wearing your hair down, a longer veil can be pinned to the crown of your head to add volume.

In addition to the length, you can also choose to have a single or multiple layers in your veil. A double-layered veil will give you more volume and drama, while a single layer can be more elegant and refined.

Ultimately, the style and length of your veil should complement your dress and overall wedding aesthetic. Don't be afraid to experiment with different options to find the perfect veil for your big day!

Gather your supplies

The first step to making your own wedding veil is to gather your supplies. You'll need:

• Tulle (also known as netting) in the width and length of your choice. The width will determine how full your veil is, and the length will determine how long it is. Tulle is available in fabric stores and online in 72" and 108" widths. For a fuller veil, use the 108" wide tulle. The length of fabric you'll need will depend on how long you want your veil to be. A typical fingertip-length veil will be between three and four feet long, so you'll need 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 yards) of tulle.
• A needle and thread. You can use regular thread or invisible thread, but avoid using fishing line as it can be too thick.
• A comb, barrette, or hair clip to attach the veil to your hair. You can use a simple French comb, a barrette, or any headpiece you already have chosen.
• Any trim, lace, beads, or other embellishments you want to add to your veil. These can be hand-sewn or glued onto the veil.
• Straight pins, sharp scissors, and a measuring tape for cutting and measuring your tulle.
• Nylon micro-filament thread if you're using nylon tulle.

Once you have gathered all your supplies, you're ready to start creating your veil!

Cut the tulle

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

Step 1: Measure Yourself

Hold some measuring tape on your head where you’ll want your veil to sit. 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. Now measure to where you want your veil to fall. The common wedding veil lengths are shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. A chapel-length veil has a small train, and a cathedral-length veil has a long train. For example, if you measure from the back of your head to the top of your rear, it’ll measure about 32 inches or “elbow” length.

Step 2: Buy Tulle and Other Supplies

Besides silk or nylon tulle, you’ll also need to get nylon micro-filament thread, straight pins, sharp scissors, and any beads or trim you desire. Whatever supplies you purchase, make sure you have enough. Keep in mind that a wedding veil is oval. For an elbow-length veil, the length of the fabric will be around 72 inches, and the center of the arc was 42 inches. Double-check the width of your tulle, because it should be less than or equal to what you measured in step #1.

Step 3: Cut Your Tulle

So that your wedding veil is symmetrical, fold your tulle in half. Then, you can draw a simple pattern onto a large sheet of paper, such as wrapping paper. Measure from the edge down the length you measured in step 1. This will become the bottom of the curve. Then, because you folded the fabric in half, also measure in the perpendicular direction (this will be the flat top). You can create your own compass by tying a string around a pencil. Have someone hold the edge of the string very still, and trace the curve onto the paper. Now, pin your tulle onto the paper and cut along the line you’ve traced.

Embellish the veil

Embellishing your veil is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding outfit. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Beading

Add beads to the veil one at a time, using a needle and thread. Most veils that include beads will use a similar, random distribution of beads so as not to weigh down the veil. Thread your needle and bring it up through the veil, then into the bead. Go back down a few threads over and use the thread to tie a square knot on the back of the fabric. Cut the thread so there is about 1 cm on either side of the knot. Repeat until you've added enough beads. You can also add beads to the top of the comb if desired.

Lace

Pin the veil so that it hangs as it will on a person, then pin your lace where you like. Sew the lace to the veil using matching thread, by hand, using a running backstitch. You can add lace all the way around the perimeter, or just in a few places.

Ribbon

A thin satin ribbon sewn along the edges of the veil is a popular finishing touch. You can do this easily with a sewing machine and some white thread. Don't worry about getting the ribbon right up against the end of the tulle -- it's far easier to just leave some extra and then come back and trim it later. Now go back with scissors and trim the excess tulle right next to the ribbon.

Pearls

Pearls are a timeless bridal styling option. You can incorporate them into your look with a modern pearl wedding veil, a pearl bridal headpiece or pearl drop earrings.

Crystals

Add some shimmer to your bridal look with sparkly crystal details. Crystals will add a luxurious finish to your dress, whether they are applied to your wedding veil, featured in your headpiece or drop earrings.

Attach the veil to a comb

Attaching the Veil to a Comb

Now that you've cut your veil to the desired length, it's time to attach it to a comb. Here are some tips and tricks to help you with this process:

Choosing the Right Comb

Start by selecting a comb that is the right size and style for your veil. You can find bridal combs at most craft stores or online. Choose a comb that is wide enough to support the weight of your veil and that has enough teeth to secure it in place.

Gathering the Veil

Before attaching the veil to the comb, you will need to gather the fabric at the top. Use a needle and thread to create a running stitch along the top edge of the veil. Gently pull the thread to create a gather, adjusting the fullness to your liking.

Sewing the Veil to the Comb

Place the comb on top of the gathered edge of the veil, with the teeth facing down. Using a needle and thread, sew the veil securely to the comb. You can wrap the thread around the comb several times to ensure a strong hold.

Adding a Tulle Backing

To create a neat finish and hide the stitches, you can add a piece of tulle to the back of the comb. Cut a small piece of tulle and place it over the comb, wrapping it around the teeth. Secure it in place with a few stitches.

Securing the Veil

Once the veil is attached to the comb, you can further secure it by sewing a few stitches through the comb and the veil fabric. This will ensure that the veil stays in place and doesn't slip off the comb.

Tips for a Secure Fit

• Use a strong thread, such as nylon or polyester, to sew the veil to the comb.
• Make sure the stitches are small and tight to create a secure hold.
• Consider using a hot glue gun to add extra adhesive between the veil and the comb.
• If your veil is heavy, you may want to reinforce the attachment by sewing a piece of ribbon or fabric to the comb as well.

With these steps, you should now have a beautiful lace veil attached to a comb, ready to be worn on your special day!

Frequently asked questions