Creating A Tulle Wedding Garter: Step-By-Step Guide

Tulle wedding garters are a fun DIY project for a bridal shower or a gift for a bride-to-be. They can be made by hand or with a sewing machine, and embellished with lace, ribbon, gemstones, or feathers. Tulle wedding garters are usually made with soft tulle, elastic, and satin ribbon. The length of the tulle and elastic will depend on the size of the bride's leg, with the elastic cut to fit snugly and the tulle cut longer to create a gathered effect. The elastic is then stretched and sewn to the tulle, which will create a ruffled appearance when it is released. The ribbon is then added to cover the seam and the ends of the elastic are sewn together. Finally, any desired embellishments can be added with hot glue or hand-stitched for a more secure finish.

Measure the leg

To make a tulle wedding garter, you must first measure the bride's leg. Each bride's leg is different, so each garter will be a different size. Ask the bride where on the thigh she would like the garter to sit and use a flexible measuring tape to get an accurate thigh measurement.

The garter should be smaller than the thigh measurement so that it stays in place. If the garter is about 75% of the thigh measurement, it should stay in place without being too tight. Multiply the thigh measurement by 0.75, and then add 0.5 inches for seam allowance. For example, if the thigh measurement is 16 inches, the elastic should be cut to 12.5 inches (16 x 0.75 = 12, 12 + 0.5 = 12.5).

If you don't have a flexible measuring tape, you can also measure the bride's leg by taking a strip of fabric and wrapping it around the leg where the garter will sit. Cut the fabric strip to a length that comfortably wraps around the leg. This will be the length of your elastic.

Now that you have the thigh measurement, you can cut your elastic to size. Place the elastic around the leg to ensure a snug but comfortable fit, leaving about 0.5 inches extra for the hem. If you'd like a formula, subtract 3 inches from your leg measurement.

Measuring the leg accurately is crucial to ensure the garter fits snugly and comfortably on the bride's leg.

Cut the tulle

Cutting the tulle is a crucial step in making a tulle wedding garter. Here is a detailed guide on how to cut the tulle for a beautiful and personalised wedding garter:

Firstly, you will need to measure the circumference of the bride's leg where the garter will be worn. For a snug and comfortable fit, it is recommended to subtract 3 inches from this leg measurement. This will be the length of your elastic piece. Cut the elastic to this length, adding about 1/2 inch for the hem.

Now, let's move on to the tulle. Cut three lengths of tulle that are approximately three times the length of your elastic measurement. For example, if your elastic is cut to 12.5 inches, your tulle cuts will be 37.5 inches long. You will make multiple cuts of tulle to create a gathered and full effect for the garter.

Once you have your three pieces of tulle, stack them on top of each other. Then, cut them down the centre. Don't worry if the layers aren't perfectly centred; tulle can be a bit tricky to layer, but it will still work!

After cutting the tulle pieces, stack all six pieces together. You can pin them along their length to secure them and make the next step easier.

At this point, you will create a gathering stitch. Using a sewing machine, stitch down the centre of the stacked tulle pieces using a lengthened stitch length. Do not backstitch. Leave the needle and bobbin threads long, as you will use them to create the gathers.

Now, gently pull on one of the long bobbin threads to gather the fabric. Continue pulling until the fabric is gathered to twice your original elastic measurement. Distribute the gathers evenly along the thread.

Once the tulle is gathered, place the right sides of the fabric together and match up the ends. Stitch a quarter of an inch away from the raw edges to create a loop. Turn this loop right side out, and you will have a beautiful gathered tulle loop!

By following these steps, you will have successfully cut and prepared the tulle for your wedding garter. The next steps will involve creating the elastic base and assembling the garter, adding any desired embellishments, and finishing the piece.

Sew the tulle

Now that you have cut your tulle to size, it's time to sew!

First, stack your cut tulle pieces together. Pin along the length of the tulle to keep the pieces together.

Next, using a lengthened stitch length, sew a running stitch down the centre of the tulle strip. This will create a gathering stitch. Do not backstitch.

Tie a knot with the bobbin threads at one end, then gently pull the bobbin thread to gather the fabric. Continue pulling until you reach your desired length. Distribute the gathers evenly along the thread.

Once your gathers are evenly distributed, place the right sides of the tulle together and match up the ends. Sew 1/4" away from the raw edges to create a loop.

Turn the tulle right sides out. You should now have a lovely little tulle loop.

Now, create your elastic base. Cut your elastic to size, then match up the raw ends, with right sides together. Stitch 1/4" away from the raw ends, backstitching to reinforce the seam. Open up the seam and stitch down the seam allowance.

Divide both your tulle loop and your elastic loop into quarters. Place the elastic loop inside the tulle loop and match up the quarter points. The elastic will be smaller than the gathered tulle.

Using a narrow zig-zag stitch, sew down the centre of the tulle, securing the tulle to the elastic as you go. Gently stretch the elastic as you sew so that it stretches to the length of the tulle. Stitch around the entire length of the garter.

You can now gently remove the gathering stitches if they are visible.

Attach the elastic

Attaching the elastic is the most crucial step in making a tulle wedding garter. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, cut your fold-over elastic to the desired size. The length of the elastic depends on the thigh measurement of the wearer. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the thigh measurement by 0.75 and then add 0.5 inches for the seam allowance. This will ensure that the garter fits snugly but comfortably.

Next, prepare the tulle. Cut three lengths of tulle that are three times the length of your elastic. Stack them together and then cut them down the center. You should now have six pieces of tulle. Pin them along the length and stitch down the center to create a gathering stitch. Gently pull one of the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until it is approximately twice the original measurement. Distribute the gathers evenly along the thread.

Now it's time to attach the elastic. Place the raw ends of the elastic together, with the right sides facing each other. Stitch 1/4 inch away from the raw ends, backstitching to reinforce the seam. Open up the seam and stitch down the seam allowance.

Divide both the tulle loop and the elastic loop into quarters. Place the elastic loop inside the tulle loop and match up the quarter points. The elastic will be smaller than the gathered tulle. Using a narrow zig-zag stitch, sew down the center of the tulle, securing the tulle to the elastic as you go. Gently stretch the elastic as you sew so that it stretches to the length of the tulle. Stitch around the entire length of the garter.

Finally, remove the gathering stitches if they are visible. And that's it! You've successfully attached the elastic to your tulle wedding garter.

Embellish

Now it's time to embellish your tulle wedding garter! This is the fun part as there are so many ways to personalise your creation. You can use your favourite flowers, colours, and gemstones.

For example, you could use a shocking pink flower, a bit of curly ostrich feather, and a few rhinestones and pearls. You can stitch or glue these on, but stitching is recommended as it will adapt to the stretch of the elastic better than the glue, and it will also be more gentle on delicate skin.

You can also add some bling with a diamante jewel or button. Using tweezers and a hot glue gun, pick up a diamante with the tweezers, touch it lightly on the hot glue, and stick it onto your garter. You can add as many or as few as you like.

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