Creating A Wedding Veil: Easy Or Tricky?

Making a wedding veil can be an easy and fun DIY project for your big day. It is also a great way to save money, as wedding veils can be quite expensive. The difficulty of making a wedding veil depends on the style and material you choose. If you want a simple veil without much detail, it can be made in an afternoon. However, if you want a veil with lace, beading, or other embellishments, it will take longer and may be more challenging.

The first step in making a wedding veil is deciding on the length and style. Popular veil lengths include shoulder, elbow, fingertip, floor, chapel, and cathedral. The next step is to purchase the fabric, such as tulle, organza, or silk. You will also need a hair comb and any desired embellishments, such as lace, beads, or ribbon.

Once you have your materials, you can begin cutting and sewing the veil. This process can vary depending on the style of veil you are making. Basic veils involve cutting the fabric to the desired length, sewing a straight stitch across the top, gathering the fabric, and attaching it to the comb. More intricate veils, such as tiered or birdcage veils, may require additional steps and techniques.

Overall, making a wedding veil can be a rewarding project, but it is important to plan and allow enough time to complete it, especially if you are adding intricate details.

Veil-making can be a simple DIY project

• Select the style and length of your veil: Choose the length that best suits your personal aesthetic. Popular options include blusher, elbow-length, fingertip, waltz, chapel, and cathedral veils. Decide if you want a single-tier or double-tier veil and determine the length of each tier accordingly.
• Gather your materials and tools: You will need fabric (such as tulle, silk organza, or nylon netting), a metal or plastic comb, needles or a sewing machine, and any additional finishings like satin edging, pearls, jewels, or lace.
• Measure and cut your fabric: Measure the length of your veil, adding a few inches for seam allowance. Cut your fabric to the desired length, rounding the bottom corners for a nicer shape. If you are making a two-tier veil, cut the fabric for each tier separately.
• Sew the fabric: Sew two rows of stitches across the top of the veil, about 1 inch apart. Leave long bobbin threads and pull them to gather the fabric. Gather until the fabric is the same length as your comb.
• Attach the comb: Place the gathered edge of the veil on top of the comb, making sure the right side of the fabric is facing up. Stitch the veil to the comb by sewing around each tooth securely.
• Embellish the comb (optional): Decorate the comb with pearls, beads, rhinestones, or silk flowers that match your dress. You can sew or glue these embellishments on, adding a special touch to your veil.
• Try on your veil and make any necessary adjustments: Ensure that the veil fits comfortably and securely in your hair. Check the length and style of the veil and make any desired changes.
• Store your veil properly: Keep your veil in a temperature-controlled location, such as a closet or under your bed. Place it in a protective garment bag to keep it clean and wrinkle-free until your wedding day.

Making your own wedding veil can be a rewarding and creative experience. It allows you to customize your look and save money. With some planning and patience, you can create a beautiful veil that will make your special day even more memorable.

Tulle is the most common fabric for veils

Making a wedding veil can be a fun project, and many brides have successfully taken on the challenge. The difficulty of the task depends on how crafty you are, how much time you have, and the complexity of the veil design. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to opt for a simple veil design without a lot of customisations.

One advantage of tulle is that it does not fray, so you don't need to hem the edges. This makes the fabric ideal for raw edge or cut edge veil styles. Tulle is also soft and gentle on the skin, making it a comfortable choice for the bride to wear.

When choosing tulle for your veil, consider the width of the fabric. The standard width is 54'', but if you are designing a long cathedral veil, you may need a wider fabric, such as 108'' tulle. The width of the tulle will also depend on the style of your wedding dress. If your gown has a wide train, a wider veil will help keep the proportions in line.

In addition to width, sheerness is another factor to consider when choosing tulle. Bridal illusion tulle is the sheerest fabric, making it ideal for blusher veils that are worn over the face. Glimmer bridal illusion tulle is a variation that adds a subtle shimmer effect, perfect for picking up the lights on your wedding day. If you want a more opaque veil, Russian net or polka dot tulle are good options, but keep in mind that these fabrics have a more vintage or retro vibe.

When working with tulle, it is important to handle it with care as it can snag or tear easily. It is recommended to work in a clean environment away from pets and sharp objects that could damage the delicate fabric. Cutting the tulle correctly is also crucial, as jagged edges can affect the overall look of the veil.

Overall, tulle is a popular choice for wedding veils due to its versatility, affordability, and ease of use. With the right tools and guidance, you can create a beautiful tulle veil that complements your wedding dress and adds a special touch to your bridal ensemble.

You can choose from a variety of veil styles

If you're going for a vintage-inspired look, you might want to try a birdcage veil, also known as a bandeau veil. This short veil covers just the eyes, skims the nose, or falls at the jawline. It's reminiscent of styles from the 1940s and 1950s and is usually made from netting or lace.

For a traditional-looking veil that won't take attention away from your dress, a shoulder-length veil is a good option. This style barely brushes the shoulders and is often made with tulle, giving it a stiff shape.

If you want something less traditional with vintage appeal, a blusher veil is a good choice. This is a short veil that falls over the face and ends near the top of the dress. It's usually flipped back or removed after the ceremony when the groom sees the bride's face for the first time.

An elbow-length veil is a good option if you want to cover up during the ceremony without wearing something bulky. This style falls gracefully over the shoulders to the elbow and can be adjusted to be a little longer or shorter depending on your height.

A fingertip veil is a popular choice, falling beyond the bride's hips and allowing any design on the back of the dress to be seen.

For a dramatic look without the weight of a longer veil, a waltz or ballet veil falls to mid-calf, leaving you free to dance and mingle.

If you want to add volume to your look, a floor-length veil will graze the floor and match the length of your gown.

A chapel veil creates the illusion of a train and is perfect if you want to forgo a train on your dress. It sweeps across the floor, extending slightly beyond the gown.

Finally, for a regal, dramatic entrance, a cathedral veil is the ultimate choice. This is the most formal length, extending beyond the train of the gown and creating a stunning effect as you walk and pose.

There are also some less common veil styles to choose from, including Juliet, mantilla, and drop veils.

You can decorate your veil with lace, beads, or other trimmings

Making a wedding veil can be a fun project, but it's important to plan ahead and choose a simple design if you're not an expert seamstress. If you want to decorate your veil with lace, beads, or other trimmings, here are some tips to help you get started:

Choosing Your Materials

Before you start, decide on the type of lace and beads you want to use. You can choose between lace appliques or lace by-the-yard, and cut it to your desired length. Consider the amount of shine or glitter you want and whether you want to include any colour. When selecting beads, you can choose from a variety of materials such as glass, Swarovski crystal, or freshwater pearls. You can also use recycled materials, such as lace from an old wedding dress or beads from broken jewellery.

Pinning and Sewing the Lace

Hang the veil so that it hangs as it will on a person. You can use a dress form or a live model. Pin the lace where you want it, then sew it to the veil by hand. A running backstitch is a good option as the seams won't be under much stress.

Sewing on the Beads

Add beads to the veil one at a time to avoid weighing it down. Thread your needle without knotting the end, then come up through the veil, into the bead, and 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, using invisible thread.

Other Tips and Tricks

• If you're using tulle, you don't need to hem the edges as it doesn't fray.
• If you're attaching the veil to a comb, you can sew or glue it in place.
• Start your project early to avoid stress and give yourself time to make any necessary adjustments.
• Don't worry about making it perfect – handmade items are unique and full of character.

Veil-making can be a fun way to save money on your wedding

The level of difficulty in making a wedding veil depends on the style and level of detail you want. If you are a beginner, it is best to opt for a simple design without a lot of customisations. More intricate veils with lace, beading, or other embellishments will require more time and skill. Consider your crafting experience and how much time you want to dedicate to the project before deciding to DIY your veil.

To make a basic veil, you will need tulle fabric, a hair comb, and basic sewing supplies. First, decide on the length and style of your veil. Measure the desired length and cut your fabric accordingly, rounding the bottom corners for a nicer shape. Then, sew two rows of stitches across the top of the veil, gather the fabric, and attach it to the comb. You can also add embellishments like pearls, beads, or lace for a more personalised touch.

There are several styles of veils to choose from, including single-tier, double-tier, full, and drop veils. Single-tier veils are the simplest to make, while double-tier veils require creating two separate tiers of fabric. Full veils are made from a single piece of fabric folded in half to form two tiers, while drop veils are also made from a single piece of fabric but without gathering.

When choosing your fabric, consider the width of the tulle as it will affect the fullness of your veil. Wider fabric will create a fuller, more voluminous veil. If you are making a shorter veil, 55 inches of fabric width should be sufficient, while longer veils may require 72 to 108 inches. You can also use other types of fabric like organza or fine cotton, but ensure that it does not obstruct your vision.

In addition to the fabric and comb, you may want to purchase trim, ribbon, or other embellishments to decorate your veil. You can add a simple trim along the edge of the veil or sew on pearls, beads, rhinestones, or silk flowers to the comb. If you plan to add trim, choose a stiffer type of tulle to support the weight of the trim.

Keep in mind that making a wedding veil requires some sewing skills and patience. If you are not comfortable with a needle and thread, you can enlist the help of a friend or family member with sewing experience. It is also important to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to complete the project, especially if you are adding intricate details.

Frequently asked questions