Creating A Two-Tier Wedding Veil: Diy Guide

Making your own wedding veil is a great way to save money and create a unique look for your special day. You can make a veil in a few different styles, including a classic veil, a tiered veil, or a birdcage veil. Here's how to make a two-tier veil:

How to Make a Two-Tier Wedding Veil

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To make a two-tier veil, you will need:

- Tulle fabric in your desired colour and width (72 inches for a shorter veil, 108 inches for a longer veil)

- A needle and thread

- A hair comb

- Embellishments such as lace, ribbon, pearls, or beads (optional)

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Tulle

Decide how long you want each tier of your veil to be. A typical veil would come down to your fingertips, but you can also choose a shorter or longer length. Measure the desired length and add a few extra inches to allow for gathering and trimming. Cut the tulle to the desired length.

Step 3: Sew the Tulle

Fold the tulle in half widthwise and round off the top corners to create a curved edge. Unfold the tulle and fold it in half lengthwise. Sew a straight stitch across the top edge, leaving long thread tails at the beginning and end of your stitch.

Step 4: Gather the Tulle

Pull on the thread tails to gather the tulle until it is the same width as your hair comb. Tie off the thread securely and trim the excess.

Step 5: Attach the Comb

Place the gathered edge of the tulle on top of the comb, with the right side of the fabric facing up. Stitch the tulle to the comb by sewing through the teeth of the comb.

Step 6: Create the Second Tier

Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create the second tier of your veil. Adjust the length of the second tier as needed so that it is shorter than the first tier.

Step 7: Embellish (Optional)

Add any desired embellishments to your veil, such as lace, ribbon, pearls, or beads. You can sew or glue these on, depending on the type of embellishment.

Choosing the right tulle

Tulle is the fabric used to make wedding veils. It is a lightweight, soft fabric that drapes beautifully. The design and look of a veil are significantly altered by the choice of fabric. Tulle comes in a variety of widths, knits, finishes, and colours.

When choosing the right tulle, consider the following:

Width

The width of the tulle will determine whether your veil will have seams. For example, a veil that is longer than the width of the tulle will require seams. Seamless veils are often preferred, so choosing a wider tulle may be a good option.

Knit

The shape of the knit of the tulle will also affect the look of the veil.

Softness/Stiffness

The softness or stiffness of the tulle will impact the drape of the veil. Softer tulle will drape more, while stiffer tulle will hold its shape more.

Embellishments

Tulle can come with embellishments such as beads or glitter. These embellishments can add a unique touch to your veil.

Colour

Traditionally, veils are white, symbolising purity and virginity. However, most veils today are ivory, a softer off-white bridal hue. Veils also come in a variety of colours, allowing you to choose a colour that complements your wedding dress.

Cutting the tulle to size

To cut the tulle to size, first, decide on the length of the veil. Then, purchase tulle that is slightly longer than the desired length. For example, if you want a fingertip veil, which is typically 45 inches long, buy tulle that is 45 inches or slightly longer.

Next, lay the tulle out on a large table or clean floor, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. This is how it was packaged in the store. Put the folded edge nearest to you. At this point, you have two layers of tulle.

Now, fold the tulle in half crosswise by grabbing the rightmost edge and folding it over so that it touches the leftmost edge. At this point, you have four layers of tulle.

Measure again how long you want the tulle to be (from the top of your head down) and cut the tulle to that length (keeping it folded) if needed.

If you want to add a trim to the veil, such as ribbon or lace, do this before gathering and attaching the tulle to the comb.

Gathering the tulle

Step 1: Prepare the Tulle

Before you begin gathering, it's important to ensure your tulle is ready. Start by gently pressing the tulle with low heat to remove any wrinkles. Check for any stains or loose threads and remove them. Determine the desired veil length, adding an extra inch or two for seam allowance and gathers.

Step 2: Cut the Tulle to Size

Cut the tulle to the required length. Begin by folding the tulle in half lengthwise, then use a long ruler or straight edge to measure and cut the edge. If you're using very wide fabric, consider folding it in half twice to ensure a consistent length across.

Step 3: Trim the Corners

To create a rounded rectangle shape, fold the tulle again widthwise so that all the corners are stacked together. Pin along the edges to prevent slipping. Use a large piece of paper to mark the desired curve for the corners, then transfer the curve to the fabric using a fabric marker. Cut along the marked line to create identical curves at each corner.

Step 4: Hem the Edges

Most veils feature a rolled hem or a trimmed hem. For a rolled hem, use a machine's rolled hem foot to create a neat finish that prevents the tulle from fraying. A trimmed hem involves pinning and sewing trim, such as a satin ribbon, along the veil's border.

Step 5: Prepare the Comb

Use scraps of tulle or ribbon to wrap the comb. This step creates a platform for stitching the veil. Cut a tulle strip about 1 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the comb. Starting at one end, hold the strip in place and wrap it around the comb several times. Adjust the number of wraps to achieve the desired bulk. Secure the strip by stitching it in place.

Step 6: Gather the Veil

For a two-tier veil, you'll typically have two layers of fabric. Fold the fabric in half widthwise to create the layers. Mark with pins where you'll gather the fabric. This determines the veil's shape. For a cascading veil, gather the center third of the fabric along the fold. For a standard veil, gather the entire width of the fabric.

Step 7: Baste the Gathering

Use a running stitch to baste along the gather line, staying within the area marked with pins. It's best to do this twice, about 1/4 inch apart and about 1/4 inch from the fold, to ensure better control when gathering the fabric.

Step 8: Gather the Tulle

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric to the desired width, which should match the size of the comb. Pin the gathers in place along the top of the comb. Secure the basting threads by wrapping them tightly around a pin and pinning them to the veil.

Step 9: Stitch the Veil to the Comb

Using a needle and thread, stitch the veil to the comb by working the needle into the wrapped fabric. Keep your stitches small, and ensure that every gather is stitched down securely. Once done, remove the basting threads.

Step 10: Cover the Gathered Edge (Optional)

This step adds a decorative touch to the comb. Cut a length of ribbon that matches the size of your comb, plus a few extra inches. Pin the ribbon in place along the comb, covering the edges of the gathers and stitching. Stitch the ribbon in place along the top and bottom, wrapping the ends around the back of the comb. Tuck under the ends to prevent fraying.

Now you've gathered the tulle and attached it to the comb, you can move on to the final steps of creating your two-tier wedding veil!

Attaching the veil to a comb or clip

Step 1: Prepare the comb

Before you attach the veil to the comb, you need to wrap the comb in some tulle. This will create a platform for you to stitch the veil to. Cut a strip of tulle about 1 inch wide and a yard long. Starting at one end of the comb, hold the end of the tulle strip in place with your thumb. Then, wrap the tulle around the end of the comb about three to four times. Continue wrapping the tulle across the comb, working two to three wraps between each of the comb's teeth and covering the starting end of the strip. Adjust the number of wraps depending on how much bulk you want at the comb. When you reach the other side, wrap three to four times around the end of the comb, then pull the remaining bit of the strip around the back of the comb towards the centre. Trim the excess strip and fold under the end so no raw edges are showing. Pin in place, then stitch the end of the strip into place by hand. If needed, now is a good time to stitch the ends to themselves as well to prevent any slipping.

Step 2: Gather the veil

If you want a blusher, the comb will go on the underside (wrong side) of the veil and you will not need to fold the fabric in half first. If you want a mantilla-style veil, skip this step entirely as no gathers are needed.

To gather the veil, fold the fabric in half widthwise. Most veils leave one layer a bit longer than the other. Play around with that option now. If you don't want a blusher but only want one layer of fabric, skip the folding. Mark with pins where you will gather the fabric. This determines the shape of the veil. For a cascading veil, gather the centre third of the fabric along the fold. For a standard veil, gather the entire width of the fabric.

Using a running stitch, baste along the gather line, staying within the area you marked with pins (use a sewing machine on the longest stitch size to do this in a hurry). Best practice when gathering is to do this twice about a quarter of an inch apart and about a quarter of an inch from the fold. This will give you the most control when gathering the fabric.

Step 3: Pin the veil to the comb

Pull on the ends of the basting threads to gather the fabric to the size of the comb. For most veils, this will not mean pulling as tightly as possible. Pin the gathers into place along the top of the comb. Hold the ends of the basting threads in place by wrapping them tightly around a pin and pinning to the veil.

For non-gathered veils, lay out your veil fabric and decide where you want the comb to be. Then, pin to the comb.

Step 4: Stitch the veil to the comb

By hand, stitch the veil to the comb, working the needle into the wrapped fabric from before. Keep your stitches small and make sure every gather is stitched down.

When finished, remove the basting threads from earlier.

Step 5: Cover the gathered edge (optional)

This step is completely optional, but makes for a prettier comb. Skip if you're pressed for time.

Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb plus a few inches. If you're using grosgrain ribbon, carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the ribbon (do not do this with natural fibres).

Pin the ribbon in place along the comb so that it covers the edges of the gathers and the stitching from attaching the veil to the comb.

Stitch into place along the top and bottom, wrapping the ends of the ribbon around the back of the comb.

For natural fibre ribbons, tuck under the ends of the ribbon before stitching into place to prevent fraying.

For veils where the comb is completely underneath the tulle, the ribbon won't wrap around. Simply tuck under the ends and keep the ribbon along the top of the comb.

Adding optional ribbon trim

Adding a ribbon trim to your veil is a great way to add a finishing touch to your wedding veil. Here are some tips on how to add a ribbon trim to your veil:

• Choose a thin satin ribbon that matches your veil. You can also use leftover tulle if you don't have ribbon on hand.
• Pin the ribbon to the veil's border with the wrong sides together. Overlap a few inches and tuck under the ends of the trim to prevent fraying.
• Sew all the way around the veil, working as close to the edge of the fabric and trim as possible.
• Flip the trim so that the right side is now showing on top of the right side of the veil. Press carefully and on low heat. Pin in place as you press.
• Stitch the trim down on the right side of the fabric, again working close to the edge. If using a delicate trim, you may need to do this by hand.
• Cut a length of ribbon the size of your comb plus a few inches. If you're using grosgrain ribbon, carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the ribbon (do not do this with natural fibres).
• Pin the ribbon in place along the comb so that it covers the edges of the gathers and the stitching from attaching the veil to the comb.
• Stitch the ribbon into place along the top and bottom, wrapping the ends of the ribbon around the back of the comb.
• For natural fibre ribbons, tuck under the ends of the ribbon before stitching into place to prevent fraying.
• For veils where the comb is completely underneath the tulle, the ribbon won't wrap around. Simply tuck under the ends and keep the ribbon along the top of the comb.

Frequently asked questions