Making your own veil is simple and inexpensive. (Around $5 plus any embelishments) If you can sew a straight line with a sewing machine, you can make this simple veil! If you don't have any sewing experience, find someone who knows how to thread the machine for you! It's that easy!
Supplies needed:
1/2 yard of 60" tulle. I have found that this is the easiest material to work with, but lace or sheer fabric will work. Note that these other materials are more difficult to work with.
A sewing machine and an iron
Measuring tape
Stick pins
Heavy thread to match your veil (I prefer Coats and Clark; keeps the gathering stitch from breaking)
2 yards of Ribbon, or trim
3-4 inches of ¼ inch wide elastic and a clear hair comb (optional)
Any other embellishments
Definitions:
Gathering stitch- a stitch sewn from one side of the fabric to the other, without securing it by backing over the begininging and the end. By pulling one thread, it bunches up. (Like a vintage apron)
Basic stiching: Start at one end of the fabric and sew about 1/2 inch. Depending on the machine, you will have a button or switch to make it go in reverse. Reverse over the stitch you made to secure it. Change the direction to forward again, and stitch to the other end of the fabric. Repeat the reverse stitch at the end to secure it on that side.
Instructions:
Steam or iron the tulle. (If using an iron, make sure it's on the lowest setting to prevent melting) This will make sure it hangs correctly when you wear it. You can also hang it in your bathroom while taking a hot shower.
Fold the tulle in half vertically, and then scoot the top layer up 6 inches.
Pin at the fold to prevent shifting, and then iron a crease at the fold.
Sew a gathering stitch from 4 inches from the fold, do not secure by back-tracking, you need it to be loose. Cut free from the machine, leaving long ends so that you have enough thread to hold on to. Leave the stitch for now, we'll come back to it.
Lay the ribbon face up and even with bottom of the veil. Fold the edges of the ribbon under itself but on top of the tulle. Pin it in place and repeat on the second layer.
Stitch the ribbon in place on both layers. How far from the bottom of the veil your stitches will be depends on how wide the ribbon is, but sew it closer to the top of the ribbon. This keeps it from separating. If desired, you may make a stitch along the bottom of the ribbon, but it is not necessary.
Stitch downward along the sides of the ribbon to make sure it lies flat.
Pull the gathering stitch you made at the top to make it bunch up. (Grasp one of the stringsthat you left long, and slowly pull on it while pulling the fabric gently in the other direction. It doesn't matter what side you start on.) The less you tighten it, the wider the veil will fall. You can test it by holding it up to the back of your head to make sure it fits where you want it to go.
Tie off the gathered stitch with two regular knots. (Like tying your shoes without the bow) Cut off loose threads.
To make the veil puff outward, fold the top at the gathering stitch toward the underside the veil. You may secure this with a basic stitch if you’d like, but it will limit the veil from flowing over your shoulders toward the front.
You may use bobby pins to attach the veil though the gathering stitch or you may attach a comb.
To attach a comb, hold it in place so that it is approximately in the middle of the gathered area. (Make sure it’s folded under, or your ribbon will be on the inside!) You will have to sew around the teeth by hand, or you can sew a stretched piece of elastic (1/4 inch wide and about 3 inches long) at every ¼ inch interval to weave the comb into. You want the curved side of the comb facing toward the inside of the veil. This should be tight to be sure that the comb doesn’t slip, which would make the comb visible while wearing the veil.
You’re finished! With a little more work you can sew in pearls or other embellishments by hand to customize it.
Tip: When attaching your veil spray it with hairspray to ensure it stays exactly where you want it to be.
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