Crafting A Short Wedding Veil: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding veils can be expensive, and it can be difficult to find exactly what you want. Making your own veil can save you money and ensure you get the perfect veil for your big day. In this article, we'll take you through the process of making your own short wedding veil, from measuring and cutting the fabric to adding any desired embellishments. We'll also provide some tips and tricks to make sure your veil looks professional and polished. So, whether you're looking to add a personal touch to your wedding outfit or want to save money where you can, read on to find out how to make your own short wedding veil.

Measure yourself and the veil

To make your own short wedding veil, you'll need to take some measurements to ensure the veil complements your dress and flatters your silhouette. Here's a step-by-step guide to measuring yourself and the veil:

Wear Your Wedding Dress and Shoes

Put on your wedding dress and the shoes you plan to wear on your big day. This ensures the most accurate measurement, as the veil should complement the length and style of your dress and shoes. If you don't have your wedding shoes yet, wear a pair of shoes with a similar height to what you envisage wearing.

Determine Your Desired Veil Length

Decide where you want your veil to fall. If you're unsure, consider seeking advice from bridal stylists or browsing online for inspiration. You can also refer to standard veil lengths, such as shoulder-length, elbow-length, waist-length, or fingertip-length veils.

Measure from the Crown of Your Head

Stand straight and measure from the crown of your head (where the veil will be attached) to the point where you want the veil to end. Ensure the measuring tape follows the contour of your body to get an accurate measurement. If you plan to wear your veil lower, such as below a low bun, style your hair similarly to your wedding day hairstyle and measure from that point.

Record the Measurement

Write down the measurement. If you're considering different veil lengths, repeat the measurement process and record each one. This will help you decide which veil length best suits your desired look.

Consider Additional Factors

If you plan to have a blusher (a shorter veil layer that covers the face), measure from the crown of your head to your chin or waist, depending on your desired blusher length. Also, consider whether you want your veil to have multiple layers, as this will affect the overall length and fullness.

Final Tips

Try on veils of different lengths and styles during your dress fitting to see how they complement your dress and overall look. You can also browse online for inspiration and look for dresses with similar silhouettes and lengths to yours. Think about the practicality of your veil, especially if you plan to wear it throughout the day. Consider how it will be secured and whether it will be comfortable to move around in, especially for longer veils.

Buy tulle and other supplies

When making your own short wedding veil, there are several supplies you will need to purchase. The first is tulle, which is a lightweight, soft fabric that drapes beautifully and is used to make veils. The type of tulle you choose will depend on the desired length of your veil. For longer veils, you will need a wider width of tulle to avoid seams. Most tulle fabrics come in widths of 54'' or 108'', and you can cut the fabric in half if you need a narrower width.

In addition to tulle, you will also need a hair comb. A 3-inch comb is a good size, and you can wrap it in ribbon or fabric if desired. You will also need enough ribbon to cover the top of the comb, with a little extra, which is optional but adds a pretty touch. Any type of ribbon will work, and you can also use leftover tulle if you don't have ribbon. If you want to finish the edge of the veil in ribbon, be sure to have enough to go around the entire perimeter.

Other supplies you will need include a rolled hem foot, fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat, a long ruler or meter stick, a fabric marker, and a thimble (optional but recommended). You will also need thread and a needle for hand sewing, and you may want to purchase a small needle for this purpose.

Before purchasing your fabric, consider the softness, colour, fray resistance, and width of the tulle. The fabric should be soft and comfortable to wear, and it should coordinate with the colour of your wedding gown. If you are not trimming the veil with lace or ribbon, choose a fray-resistant fabric. For longer veils, you will typically need a wider width of fabric, such as 108''.

You can find these supplies at craft stores like Joann's, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby, or online at Etsy or Amazon.

Cut your tulle

Cutting the tulle fabric incorrectly can result in a veil that is lopsided or scraggly in appearance. To avoid any mishaps, ensure that your material is lined up correctly and that you cut the tulle using long, precise movements.

Firstly, decide on the length of your bridal veil. For a blusher veil, the length needed is 18 to 24 inches. For a waist-length veil, use 30 inches. Fingertip veils are 40 inches while chapel-length and cathedral-length veils are 72 and 108 inches respectively.

Next, fold your tulle fabric in half lengthwise and measure the necessary length based on the style of veil you want. Mark the required measurement with pins. Lay paperweights on top of your veil fabric to keep the layers from separating. This will help to keep the cut of the veil even and symmetrical.

Now, cut off the veil's excess length at the point where you placed the pins. To give the veil's end rounded corners, use the scissors to create a gradual curve on the outside edge of the veil's fabric. This is the edge where the two sides meet rather than the centre fold. Your curve doesn't need to be drastic; a slightly curved corner will help to soften the ends for a graceful finish.

Finally, unfold the tulle fabric and inspect the edges. If there are any jagged or uneven edges, trim them away with the scissors.

Add embellishments

Embellishments are a great way to make your wedding veil unique and special. They can be as bold or as subtle as you like and are a fun way to play with colour and texture. Here are some ideas and instructions for adding embellishments to your short wedding veil.

Embellishment Ideas

The type of embellishment you choose is entirely up to you and the look you are going for. Embellishments can be subtle, with just a few pearls here and there, or bold and embroidered with patterns. You can choose to have embellishments scattered randomly throughout the veil, or just along the edge or sides.

Pearls, crystals, sequins, and embroidery are all popular choices for veil embellishments. You could also add lace, beads, rhinestones, or even fabric appliques. If you want to make a statement, go for a colourful veil with crystals and pearls, or a bold embroidered design with large appliques.

Materials

The materials you will need depend on the type of embellishment you choose. For example, if you want to add lace, you will need lace and hand sewing needles. If you want to add beads, you will need beads, a beading needle, and invisible thread.

Instructions

First, pin your veil so that it hangs as it will on a person. This can be done on a dress form or with a live model. Place your chosen embellishments where you want them and, if necessary, take a photo to make sure it matches the bride's vision.

If you are adding lace, sew it to the veil by hand using matching thread. Most lace is delicate, so it is best to use a running backstitch to attach it. Avoid using invisible thread, as it can be difficult to work with and may put unwanted kinks in the fabric.

To add beads, thread your needle without knotting the end. Come up through the veil, into the bead, and then back down a few threads over. Tie a square knot on the back of the fabric and cut the thread, leaving about 1 cm on either side of the knot. Repeat this process until you have added enough beads.

You can also add beads to the top of the comb if desired. Use invisible thread and stitch each bead individually, then go back and stitch them together every few beads. At the end of the row, make a blanket stitch and put the needle through the comb's fabric to secure it.

Affix it to a hair comb

Affixing your handmade wedding veil to a hair comb is a great way to ensure it stays in place throughout your special day. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a secure and elegant look:

Prepare the Comb:

Start by wrapping the comb with tulle, ribbon, or fabric. This step is optional but recommended for a more polished appearance. Take a strip of tulle or ribbon, about 1 inch wide and 1 yard long, and wrap it securely around the comb. You can adjust the number of wraps to achieve your desired level of bulkiness. Make sure to cover the starting end of the strip as you work your way across the comb. Finally, trim any excess fabric, fold under the raw edge to create a neat finish, and pin it in place.

Gather the Veil:

If you want a two-layered veil, fold the fabric in half widthwise. Typically, the top layer is slightly shorter than the bottom layer. Mark with pins where you want the gathering to start and end, as this will determine the shape of your veil. Then, using a running stitch, baste along the gather line, staying within the area marked with pins.

Pin the Veil to the Comb:

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric until it matches the size of the comb. Pin the gathers in place along the top of the comb, and wrap the ends of the basting threads around a pin to secure them. If you're not creating gathers, simply lay out your veil fabric and decide where you want the comb to be, then pin it in place.

Stitch the Veil to the Comb:

Using a needle and thread, carefully stitch the veil to the wrapped fabric on the comb. Make small, secure stitches to ensure that every gather is attached firmly. Once done, remove the basting threads.

Cover the Gathered Edge (Optional):

For a neater finish, cut a length of ribbon that matches the size of your comb, plus a few extra inches. Pin the ribbon along the comb, covering the edges of the gathers and stitching. Then, stitch the ribbon in place along the top and bottom, wrapping any excess fabric around the back of the comb. If you're using natural fibre ribbons, remember to tuck under the ends to prevent fraying.

Final Checks:

Now, it's time to try on your veil and admire your handiwork! Ensure that the veil is securely attached and that you are happy with the overall shape and style. If needed, you can adjust the gathers or add more pins for extra security.

By affixing your wedding veil to a hair comb, you can achieve a comfortable, durable, and versatile look that will stay in place as you walk down the aisle. Enjoy creating your own unique accessory, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

Frequently asked questions