How to make a wedding veil
Page 1: planning & purchasing material and supplies
Make your own veil page 2: cutting, sewing and decorating >>

Making a birdcage veil >>

For the experienced seamstress, making your own wedding veil isn’t really difficult and it is certainly far less expensive than buying one (unless you , where a good selection of cheap veils is generally available). Making your own wedding veil should be a "no rush" process. You will want plenty of time to design your perfect veil and find the right book or pattern to help you do so, then more time for experimentation and careful construction. The specifics will vary depending on how elaborate your veil is and whether you decorate a headpiece or purchase one ready-made, but in general you will follow these steps when making your own veil.

1. Decide what kind of veil and headpiece you will wear and if you will make or

How elaborate you make the veil is limited only by your sewing and gluing skills. The simplest -- a single-tier gathered veil with headband or comb -- is within the abilities of most. Consider different lengths, colors, shapes, styles, the number of tiers, edgings and embellishments (see our Web pages for more about each veil feature). You also need to consider what type of headpiece or tiara you will wear and whether you will make or buy it.

2. Design your veil shape or .

Now that you know what type of veil is right for you, the next step is to finalize the exact shape, in preparation for purchasing material and supplies. There are a variety of approaches you can take. Combine one or more of these suggested approaches until you are confident about cutting the veil:

• . Most commercial veil patterns contain instructions for several types of veils. Choose one that has a pattern for the veil shape you want and use it as a guide for contouring the fabric, cutting the length and fullness to your own specifications.
• Make a veil pattern yourself from pattern or tracing paper, or even tissue paper:
  • Find a second-hand or other inexpensive veil that is the shape you want, remove the comb and gathers, then cut a pattern from the flattened piece.
  • Make "cutting guides" for your veil's contours: the "U" shape of a top-gathered veil; the rounded edges of a drop or center-gathered tier veil; or the bottom point of an angel veil, for example.
  • You can also use household objects, such as platters or the end of an oval or round table, to shape the veil.
• Buy Veiled in Beauty or other veil sewing guide for detailed illustrations and other tips on your veil's specific features. Even if the book does not include the exact combination of features you have in mind, you can customize the techniques to your needs.

3. Determine how much tulle or other veil material you will need.

At this point you probably have a good idea of how much tulle or bridal illusion you will need. The exact amount will depend on the length and number of tiers.

If you have a pattern, go by the instructions on it. If not, determine how much material you need by first figuring the length of each tier. Have someone measure the distance in inches from where you will attach the veil to the point you want it to fall (shoulder, elbow, fingertip, etc). You can also go with one or more traditional veil lengths. Add the lengths together, plus that of the blusher. Divide by 36, then round up to the nearest whole number. That will be how many yards needed to make your wedding veil.

4. Buy tulle or other veil material and supplies.

Although 54 or 72 inch wide tulle will work for short, narrow veils most experts recommend using the 108

 inch width for longer, fuller veils to assure yours turns out as you imagined.  You can always cut down the wide material for less fullness, but it is difficult to build fullness from narrow material. You can often find competitive prices online. For example this online retailer carries both 72 inch and 108 inch width tulle by the yard.

Instead of purchasing the exact amount of material you need, consider buying a longer piece online. When purchasing a standard, uncut length you can find discounted prices (Check here, for example, for bulk 108" tulle).  Unless you are making a long, cathedral-length veil (or one with several tiers) you will have plenty of tulle left for making bird seed throws, decorating the wedding bouquets, crafting reception favors or other wedding use. Also, if you purchase all of the tulle for your wedding at once, you know it will be a perfect match.

Depending on the specific veil style, the supplies you may need to make a wedding veil are:

• Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and pad or mat (for table or floor protection) to cut the tulle
• Weights to keep the tulle from sliding while you work (anything that will not damage the material and is small enough to work around will do: stone coasters, decorative stones, canned goods, etc.)
• Measuring tape or stick
• Straight pins
• Needle and thread (one spool of thread to match the veil and another to match the edging if it is a different color)
• Glue or glue gun and sticks (make sure the glue is made to work with fabric)
• Toothpicks, Q-Tips and/or tweezers for detail work
• A headpiece (unadorned headband or comb if you are going to decorate your own; finished tiara or other headpiece if not)
• Velcro (if applicable) for a detachable blusher or to attach the veil to a headpiece
• Adornments for the veil (this Website has an exciting selection of lace, trims, and embellishments):
  • Headpiece decor (if applicable), your choice of ribbon, pearl sprays, silk flowers or other adornments
  • Embellishments (if applicable) for scatter or edge design: beads, rhinestones, crystals, pearls, etc.
  • Edging (if applicable): lace, cord, ribbon, soutache braid, or other appropriate material

Tulle Available Online

The tulle below is available for purchase online:

How to make a wedding veil (part 2): cutting, sewing and decorating the veil >>

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

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