Making your own veil is a very useful way to save on your wedding day expenses. This method is also the right choice for the bride who wants to make a special veil to complement a unique wedding dress. Determine the style, material, and complement of the veil according to your wishes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Determining the Length of the Veil
Step 1. Decide on the style of the veil you want to create
There are several choices of hoods. Determine the length and style of the veil that best suits your taste.
- Shoulder veil: the end of this veil hangs just below the shoulders of the bride. The standard length of this style hood is 56 cm. Brides who wish to wear a double layered veil often pair this short veil with a longer one.
- Elbow-length veil: This 64 cm long veil hangs up to the elbows of the bride's hands.
- Waist veil: the end of this 76 cm long veil hangs on the bride's waist.
- Half hip veil: the length of this veil is 84 cm.
- Hip-high veil: the end of this veil hangs down to the bottom of the bride's hips. The default length is 91 cm.
- Fingertip-length veil: This veil extends all the way to the fingers of the bride. The standard length is 114 cm.
- Waltz veil: the end of this veil hangs just behind the bride's knees. The standard length is 137 cm.
- Ankle-high hood: this hood hangs just above the floor. The standard length is 178 cm.
- Chapel hood: This hood has a short tail. The standard length is 228 cm.
- Cathedral veil: This veil is larger than the chapel veil. The standard length is 274 cm.
Step 2. Determine the length of the veil
The advantage of making your own veil is that the length is easy to adjust to your body size. Get a measuring tape ready and ask your friends for help. Place and hold one end of the measuring tape where you plan to attach the bobby pin. Pull the measuring tape down your back until it reaches the appropriate length (to the shoulder, elbow, waist, mid-hip, hip, fingertips, above knee, ankle, 50cm over ankle, or 100cm over ankle). Record your measurement results.
Step 3. Determine the length of the second layer of veil (if desired)
If you want to wear a two-layer veil, or a veil that covers your face, you will have to measure again. Place the end of the measuring tape where you will attach the hair clip. Pull the measuring tape up over your head, face and up to your collarbone. Record the results of these measurements.
Step 4. Determine the required length of fabric
If you are making a single layer veil, you will need to purchase fabric that is as long as or longer than the listed sizes. If you are making a two-layer veil, or a veil that covers the face, add up the first and second sizes. You'll need to buy fabrics that are as long as or longer than that.
Method 2 of 4: Making a Single or Double Layer Veil
Step 1. Iron your fabric
Place the cloth on the ironing board. Iron the fabric to smooth out any creases or wrinkles. When you're done, place the cloth on a flat, clean, and spacious surface to smooth the surface.
Step 2. Cut your veil
Measure and mark the length of the hood. Prepare cloth scissors. Carefully cut the fabric to your desired length.
You can also trim the bottom corner of the hood round if you like
Step 3. Make two rows of stitches at the top of the veil
Set your sewing machine to the widest selection of stitches.
- Make a straight stitch across the top of the scarf (widely) about 2.5 cm from the end of the fabric. Do not make a reverse stitch with the end of the thread or cut it too short. Leave the end of the thread long enough.
- Flatten the fabric.
- Make the second row of stitches about 4 cm from the first stitch. Leave the end of the thread long enough.
Step 4. Pull the end of the thread to crimp the fabric
Join the two ends of the thread with your hands. Hold the seam line on the hood with your other hand. Pull the end of the thread while pushing the fabric slowly. Stop once the length of the fabric is equal to the length of your hairpin. Tie the two ends of the thread in a knot. Cut the remaining thread and fabric above the first stitch.
Step 5. Attach the hair clip
Prepare a wire or plastic hair clip. Place it on a flat surface until it looks curved. Place the end of the veil over the bobby pin, making sure to point the side of the fabric you want to show up. Thread the thread into the needle. Sew the veil with bobby pins by passing two or three stitches through the teeth on the bobby pins. Cut the thread and tie a knot at the end.
Step 6. Create the second layer
The second layer of the veil is made in the same way. The only difference between the two is the length. If you want to create a second, separate layer for the veil, repeat the steps above.
Method 3 of 4: Making a Face Cover Veil
Step 1. Cut the fabric according to the measurement results
This veil covering the face is made of a piece of cloth. This cloth is folded into two layers: a long cloth at the back, and a short cloth to cover the face during the wedding ceremony. The overall length of the hood is the sum of the first measurement (back of the hood) and the second measurement (front of the hood). After adding the two, cut the scarf according to that size.
Step 2. Fold the fabric in quarters
Place the cloth on a clean, flat surface. Fold in half lengthwise, then fold again wide.
Step 3. Cut the corners of the hood rounded
Look for the corners in the folded fabric. Use scissors to cut rounded corners. You can measure it in advance, or just estimate it. To create a smooth curve, cut off the rough edges again.
Step 4. Fold the front of the veil
Open the cloth and smooth the surface again. Fold the top edge of the hood down so that it is on top of the base layer of the hood. Adjust the length of the top layer of the veil to your shoulder height.
Step 5. Make a seam on the wide side of the fabric near the crease, crimping the fabric as you sew
Thread the thread into the needle. Pass the needle through both layers of fabric near the crease. Sew one end of the hood as well. While sewing, wrinkle the fabric. When you're done sewing all the way to the other side, make sure the length of the crimped fabric matches the length of the bobby pin. Tie a knot and cut off the remaining thread.
Step 6. Attach the hair clip to the veil
Attach the bobby pin to the crimped fabric. Point the curl of the bobby pin up. Make sure the layer covering the face is on top. Use thread and needle to attach the bobby pin to the scarf by sewing several times around each tooth.
Method 4 of 4: Creating a Drop Veil
Step 1. Cut the fabric according to the measurement results
This veil is made from a single piece of fabric that is not wrinkled. The overall length of the veil is the sum of the first measurement (back of the veil) and the second measurement (front of the veil). Add up the two measurements and cut the scarf according to that size.
Step 2. Fold the fabric in quarters
Lay the cloth on a clean, flat surface and smooth out the creases. Fold the fabric lengthwise, then fold it again wide.
Step 3. Cut the corners rounded
Find the corner of the fabric in the folded fabric. Cut the rounded corners with scissors. You can estimate it or measure this piece in advance. After cutting, carefully smooth out any rough edges.
Step 4. Make the folds of the front veil
Unfold the hood and lay it flat. Fold the top side of the hood down so that it is on top of the base layer of fabric. Adjust the length of the top layer to your shoulder height.
Step 5. Locate the center of the hood
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Mark the center of the hood fold with a pin. Unfold the hood.
Step 6. Attach the hair clip
Use safety pins to help secure the bobby pin in the middle. Place the curved side up, at the top end of the veil. Once satisfied with the position, remove the pin. Use a needle and thread to attach the bobby pin to the scarf.
Tips
- The tulle will shrivel if the pressure isn't right. Attach the ribbon to this material by sewing it gently so that the pressure on both the tulle and the ribbon is equal. That way, the tulle won't shrivel.
- Not all wedding dresses are suitable for wearing a veil, and you don't have to. Style your wedding dress with a veil before deciding to wear it. For example, a short dress below the knee won't go well with a headscarf and will actually make you look weird.
