Creating A Lace Wedding Crown: Diy Guide

Lace crowns are a fun and simple DIY project that can be made in a few hours. They are perfect for weddings, birthday parties, or dress-ups, and can be customised with your choice of lace, paint colour, glitter, pearls, and rhinestones. To make a lace crown, you will need lace, fabric stiffener, paint, glue, and decorations. The process involves stiffening the lace with fabric stiffener, shaping it into a crown, painting and decorating it, and then attaching it to a headband or ribbon.

Choosing the right lace

Type of Lace

The type of lace you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your crown. Some common types of lace include:

• Crocheted cotton lace: This type of lace creates a sturdy base for your crown and can be easily found.
• Synthetic lace: A synthetic look-alike can also be used to create a durable crown.
• Chantilly lace: This is a delicate bobbin lace with a less pronounced cording, often used for a romantic or ethereal look.
• Guipure lace: Also known as Venetian lace, this is a bold and sturdy option that can be used without a netting background.

Width and Thickness

It is recommended to choose a lace that is fairly wide and thick. Delicate and thin lace may not be strong enough to hold the shape of the crown.

Colour and Design

Consider the colour and design of the lace in relation to your wedding dress and theme. If your dress is heavily embellished, a simpler lace design might be more suitable. Conversely, if your dress is more understated, a detailed and ornate lace design could add a dramatic touch. Think about the neckline of your dress, as high necklines often pair better with simpler lace designs, while strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses can accommodate more elaborate styles.

Personalisation

You can also add a personal touch to your lace crown by customising it with paint, glitter, pearls, rhinestones, or other decorations. This will make your crown unique and special for your big day.

Preparing the lace

Firstly, select your lace. For a sturdy crown, opt for crocheted cotton lace or a synthetic alternative. The lace should be fairly wide and thick as delicate and thin lace may not be strong enough.

Next, cut the lace. Each piece should measure somewhere between 13-17” long. It is better to measure on the longer side as you can always trim the lace to size later.

Before you begin stiffening the lace, put on some gloves to protect your hands. You can then saturate each piece of lace with fabric stiffener. Pour the stiffener into a disposable cup or onto a disposable plate and dip the lace in, working the glue into the fabric with your fingers. Squeeze off any excess and lay each piece flat on wax paper to dry. You may need to blot the lace with a paper towel. While the lace dries, remember to flip and move it so that the pooled glue doesn’t dry and form windows in the lace holes.

Alternatively, you can soak the lace in fabric stiffener and wrap it around a small bowl. Allow the excess to drip back into the bowl and use a spot of tacky glue to hold the overlapping ends. Put the bowl in the microwave and heat on high power for 30-second intervals until the lace is dry to the touch.

Once the glue has dried, spray the crown with more stiffener and return it to the microwave. Repeat this process until you are happy with the stiffness of the lace.

If you are using a bowl to shape your lace, you may want to fold the edges of the lace after the first spraying session. Lightly spray the lace, fold the edges, and microwave.

Finally, remove the crown from the bowl and put on some rubber gloves. You are now ready to spray paint the lace on both sides. If the stiffener has closed up some of the holes in the lace, clean it out with the end of a pin. Apply several coats of paint; the crowns will stiffen even more.

Shaping the crown

Firstly, decide on the item you want to use as your form, such as a cup or a bowl. If you use a cup, your crown is going to be smaller. For a larger crown, you can use a bigger item, like a bowl, to wrap the lace around. However, keep in mind that the crown should sit on the top of the wearer's head, so avoid making it too huge. Wrap the chosen item with plastic wrap to prevent the lace from sticking to it.

Next, you will need to cut your lace to the appropriate length. Cut each piece of lace somewhere between 13-17” long, depending on the desired size of your crown. It is recommended to measure on the longer side as you can always trim it shorter later.

Now, it's time to shape the crown. If you are using fabric stiffener, soak the lace in it before wrapping it around your form. Ensure you use a generous amount of stiffener to saturate the lace. Alternatively, if you are using Mod Podge, apply it to the cut lace on a non-stick surface, such as parchment paper. Apply a good amount of Mod Podge to both sides of the lace, ensuring you sop up any excess to avoid pooling in the lace holes.

Once the lace is wrapped around your form, let it dry completely. If using fabric stiffener, you can speed up the drying process by putting the form in the microwave for 30-second intervals until the lace is dry to the touch. Repeat the spraying/microwaving process until you achieve the desired level of stiffness.

After the lace is dry, you can further shape the crown by folding the edges as desired. Spray the crown again with stiffener or Mod Podge and return it to the microwave if needed.

Once you are happy with the shape and stiffness of your crown, it's time to move on to the decorating stage. However, keep in mind that applying paint or glitter will further stiffen the lace.

Decorating the crown

Once you've made your lace crown, it's time to decorate it! This is where you can get creative and add your own personal touches. Here are some ideas and instructions for decorating your lace wedding crown:

Paint

You can paint your crown using acrylic paint or spray paint. Choose a colour that complements your wedding colour palette or go for a classic gold or silver. If you're using acrylic paint, use a brush to apply it carefully all over the crown. For spray paint, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and cover any nearby surfaces to protect them from the paint. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Glitter

Add some sparkle to your crown by covering it in glitter. If you used glue to stiffen the lace, the glitter should stick to the glue as it dries. You can also mix glitter with Mod Podge and brush it onto the crown for a more controlled application. Fine glitter works best, as larger pieces may clog the openings in the lace.

Jewels, Pearls and Rhinestones

Now it's time to add some regal decorations! Use a hot glue gun to affix jewels, pearls, or rhinestones to your crown. You can find these decorations at most craft stores. Get creative with the placement of your jewels—you can create a pattern or scatter them randomly across the crown.

Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding crown. You can use real flowers, but they will wilt quickly. A more durable option is to use artificial flowers, which you can find at craft stores or online. Attach the flowers to your crown using hot glue, wiring them in place for added security.

Ribbon

Finish your crown by gluing a ribbon to each end. This ribbon will be used to tie the crown securely to your head. Choose a colour that matches your paint or complements the colour of your jewels or flowers.

Feel free to experiment with other decorations, such as beads, feathers, or any other trinkets that speak to you. Enjoy the process of bringing your unique wedding crown to life!

Attaching the crown to a headband or ribbon

Now that you have crafted your lace crown, you can attach it to a headband or ribbon to secure it to your head. This is especially important if you are making the crown for a child, as it will prevent it from falling off during play.

If you are using a headband, you can simply glue the crown to the band, ensuring that you cover the join with glue to prevent any sharp edges that might cause discomfort. If you are using a ribbon, you will need to cut the ribbon to size, allowing for enough length to tie comfortably under the chin. You can then glue the ends of the ribbon to the inside edges of the crown.

For a more secure join, you can sew the crown to the headband or ribbon. This is especially useful if you are using the crown for a child, as it will withstand more wear and tear. If you are using a ribbon, you can sew along the edges of the ribbon to the inside of the crown, ensuring that you backstitch for extra strength.

If you are using a headband, you can sew along the length of the band, through the centre of the crown, and then backstitch to secure. This will ensure that the crown stays firmly in place, even during active play.

Once you have attached your crown to the headband or ribbon, you can add any final decorations, such as glueing on jewels, flowers, or other regal decorations.

Frequently asked questions