How to make a bridal veil
Page 2: cutting, sewing and decorating
planning & purchasing material and supplies (make your own veil page 1)

Making a birdcage veil >>

5. Lay out and cut the fabric

Before cutting, you might want to get an idea of your veil's fullness at the width you've chosen. Gather the material into the correct length (or lengths for a more than one tier veil) and secure it to your hair with pins or clips. If it is fuller than you envisioned, cut the tulle to a narrower width.

After you are happy with the width of the tulle, make sure the material has no wrinkles or creases. You can easily smooth them out by hanging the tulle in a steamy bathroom or using a steamer or very cool iron.

Before laying out the material, first fold it in half lengthwise so it is doubled over (this will assure your veil is symmetrical). Then spread the tulle out on a table or clean floor, anchoring it with weights to prevent sliding.

Make a single tier or center-gathered 2-tier veil from a single piece of fabric. Veils with a detachable blusher or multiple tiers require more than one piece. Use your guides to measure and cut the material into your veil's shape (or -- more precisely -- half your veil's shape) or pin your pattern to the tulle. Be sure the fold is on the correct side then cut. Remove any pins and unfold the material.

6. Finish the edges

There are several options for your veil's edges: unfinished, rolled, embroidered, and finished with rhinestones, pearls or other embellishments (See our veil edges and embellishments page for details). Whichever edging you choose, practice first on scrap material to get the exact effect you want. Also, keep in mind your experience level when choosing edging, as some are easier to sew than others:

• A rolled edge is relatively fast and easy. Simply fold the edge over on itself by about 1/2 inch then sew over the fold in a small zigzag or other ornamental stitch. Carefully trim the excess.
• To sew a decorative cord, string of pearls, rhinestones, or other bead-like embellishment onto your veil's edge, attach it with a zigzag stitch 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from the edge of the tulle. Trim the excess tulle away for a professional look.
• Ribbon, lace, soutache braid or other flat trim takes a bit more time, as it is important to keep the stitches straight and even as you sew on the edging. As with cord and strung embellishments, sew on 1/4" to 1/2" from the edge, then trim back.

7. Add embellishments

While you can add embellishments such as sequins, rhinestones, crystals, or pearls last, the veil is easier to work with when flat, before gathering or attaching a headpiece. As with the edging, practice tulle scraps first, verifying the glue dries clear and holds. (Besides fabric glue, you can also attach embellishments with needle and thread or use a hot glue gun.)

While your test piece is drying, finalize the design. There are three approaches you may want take:

• Space embellishments evenly over the entire veil (leaving the center of the blusher clear for you to see through).
• Create a two or three inch border design along the bottom.
• Scatter the decorations lightly all over the veil, in no particular pattern.

If you are going for a structured design, create your scatter pattern on the veil first with pins. Before gluing pieces, protect your table with a sheet of wax paper, craft board, foil, or other non-porous material. Avoid newspaper so printer's ink doesn't stain the veil. Using toothpicks, Q-Tips and/or tweezers apply dots of glue to the tulle and position the embellishments. Allow to dry before gathering or attaching a headpiece.

8. Gather the veil

Most veils will need to be gathered at the top or center in preparation for attaching the headpiece or comb. Simply make a loose running stitch with heavy thread across the veil where you will attach the headpiece. Bunch -- or gather -- the tulle on the thread until it is the width of your comb or headpiece, then knot the thread at that length to secure the gathers. Alternately, if you are sewing the veil to a permanently-attached comb, you can skip this step and gather the veil as you attach the comb.

9. Attach comb, headpiece, Velcro or bridal loops

If you are making a permanently attached headpiece, you may want to sew the veil on before the headpiece is completely decorated for two reasons: (1) It will be easier to work with and (2) you can more easily hide the stitching.

When you are finished making your veil, carefully hang it evenly on a padded or non-metallic hanger. If there are any wrinkles from handling, they should fall out on their own. Finally, take a step back and have a look at your dream bridal veil!

For more tips about how to make a bridal veil, visit the Home Sewing Association.

How to make a bridal veil (part 1): planning & purchasing material, supplies >>

Special thank you to writing coach, editor, and ghostwriter Bobbi Linkemer, who contributed the original material throughout MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com.

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