Make your own veil
Filed under: Fashion, Budget Advice, Do-It-Yourself
If you have ten thumbs, please buy your veil. However, if you only have eight, you might just consider making your own, because veils are not difficult. If you have the usual two thumbs and eight fingers, it shouldn't be difficult at all.The easiest fabric to use is tulle, also called "bridal illusion". It's lightweight, it doesn't slither around as much as other veil fabrics (though it is slippery), and, unlike organza or chiffon, tulle doesn't need to be hemmed. (You certainly may put an edging on it if you like, but it won't fray if you don't.)
First you'll choose the length you want: face (also called birdcage), shoulder (also called blusher), fingertip, waist, chapel (just to the floor), and cathedral (which trails behind you). Then you decide on the fullness you prefer.
Like all fabrics, tulle comes in different widths. For the longer veils, and/or for full veils, you'll want the widest, which is 108". For shorter and less full veils, 72" width will work well.
The only even slightly difficult part is cutting the fabric. There are good, basic instructions to be found here, but if you'd like more direction than that, most of the major pattern-makers provide wedding-veil patterns. Then you just lay out your fabric, weight or pin the pattern in place, and cut along the dotted lines!
Once you've cut it, you may want to embellish it, with sequins, crystal, beads, or applique. The simplest way to attach these to the veiling with fabric glue, but this will not be dry-clean-able, of course. You may choose to sew these items on -- a much more time-consuming, though more permanent, solution.
Then, depending on the type of veil, you'll have to decide how it will attach. You can use a comb, pins, headpiece, or a fabric hairband. Some veils don't attach, but simply lie on the head. After cutting, this is the second most tricky bit, but really, it's hard to do a veil wrong. If you try it, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how easy -- and inexpensive! -- it is to make yourself this very beautiful, very personal wedding accessory.
The only even slightly difficult part is cutting the fabric. There are good, basic instructions to be found here, but if you'd like more direction than that, most of the major pattern-makers provide wedding-veil patterns. Then you just lay out your fabric, weight or pin the pattern in place, and cut along the dotted lines!
Once you've cut it, you may want to embellish it, with sequins, crystal, beads, or applique. The simplest way to attach these to the veiling with fabric glue, but this will not be dry-clean-able, of course. You may choose to sew these items on -- a much more time-consuming, though more permanent, solution.
Then, depending on the type of veil, you'll have to decide how it will attach. You can use a comb, pins, headpiece, or a fabric hairband. Some veils don't attach, but simply lie on the head. After cutting, this is the second most tricky bit, but really, it's hard to do a veil wrong. If you try it, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how easy -- and inexpensive! -- it is to make yourself this very beautiful, very personal wedding accessory.
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