How To Make A Veil

Learning how to make a veil is easier than most people realize. Plus, by making your own wedding veil, it can be exactly what you imagined at a fraction of the cost of a bought veil.

Below are the instructions to help you make your own unique wedding veil.

HOW TO MAKE A SINGLE TIER VEIL

How To Measure The Length Of The Veil

Using a tape measure, have a friend measure the length from the top of your head where the veil will be attached down to the bottom where you want the veil to end. Add two inches to this measurement for allowance.

The most common lengths for a single tier veil are:

• The Elbow Length - which is usually 30 inches
• The Fingertip Length - which is usually 48 inches.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A VEIL

Purchasing the Material

After you have the measurement for the veil, go to a fabric store or craft store to purchase bridal illusion. This is the fabric commonly used to make a veil.

Try not to purchase the last piece on the bolt, because it usually has a lot of wrinkles and creases that are hard to get out. Be sure to inspect the illusion for holes and tears before it is cut from the bolt.

Bridal illusion comes in white, ivory and off-white shades called. Be sure to check for the color that will look best with your wedding gown.

Bridal illusion comes in widths of 72 inches, 108 inches, and 144 inches. The 108 inch is suitable for most veils. Go ahead and buy double the measured length. It is always a good idea when making a veil to do one for practice first.

How To Make A Veil - Cutting The Illusion

When you buy the illusion, it will be folded twice. Cutting the illusion is easiest, if you leave it folded. Since it is transparent, it is easy to cut a perfectly straight line by following a grid line on a cutting mat.

If you are going to leave the veil undecorated, you can leave the bottom corners square or round them.

However, if you are planning to put a decorative edge on the veil, you will need to round the edges.

How To Make A Veil - Rounding The Lower Corners

To round the lower corners, you can make a paper template by drawing a quarter circle pattern with a 10 to 12 inch radius.

Unfold the illusion and fold down the center, making sure the outer edges are aligned. Place the pattern over the lower corner of the illusion, aligning it with the outer edges.

Cut the illusion following the pattern you made.

How To Make a Veil With a Decorative Edge

Unfold the illusion.

It is easiest to edge your veil while it is not gathered.

Be sure to have plenty of edging material that is all in one length. You can not piece the edging without it showing. You can hand sew or use a sewing machine on most types of edging.

Common edgings are: small pearls, crystal beads, lace, or ribbon. All of these can be purchased at any fabric or hobby store.

You can also glue individual sequins, pearls, crystal beads, lace or silk flowers onto your veil. Use a clear glue, such as Fabri-Tac. If you can work quickly and keep the dots of glue small, you can try hot glue.

If you are applying scattered, individual pearls or beads to your veil, it is easiest to do this after the veil has been gathered.

However, if you are using a more precise design, apply the decorations while the veil is still flat. It is a good idea to pin the decorations in place and gather up the veil in your hand and look at the finished effect before gluing.

This is where you can let your imagination run wild and make a veil that reflects your style!

How To Gather The Veil

Thread a needle with a double thread and knot the ends together.

To keep the first stitch from tearing the illusion, fold back a small triangle at one corner of the upper edge. Take a stitch through the fold and secure it by running the needle between the threads before pulling the knot tight.

Stitch across the upper edge with small stitches about 1/4 inch deep into the edge. Fill your needle with stitches before pulling the thread through. Continue this across the width of the veil until the entire edge is gathered.

Adjust the gathers on your thread until you have the measurement that will fit the width of the hair comb you plan to attach to the veil.

Knot and cut the thread.

Attaching The Veil To A Hair Comb

Wrap the upper edge of the veil over the comb, and hand-stitch it to the curved underside of the comb.

-or-

Cut a section of ribbon 3 1/2 inches long.

Encase the upper edge of the veil with the ribbon, turning the ends under. Sew the ribbon securely in place on both sides of the veil.

Now you can hand-stitch the covered edge of the veil to the curved underside of the hair comb.

Ironing the Veil

Test the heat of your iron on a scratch piece of the illusion before you try to iron the veil. The illusion can melt if the iron is too hot.

Most of the wrinkles will fall out, if you leave the veil hanging on a coat hanger. Use a clothes pin or safety pin to attach the veil to the coat hanger.

A hand-held steam iron will actually work better than an iron to get the wrinkles out of the veil.

MAKING A WEDDING VEIL IS THAT SIMPLE!

If you would like to learn how to make a veil that is two-tiered or more complicated, it is best to purchase a pattern at your local fabric store.

Good luck and may you always cherish the special memory of making a veil for your wedding.

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