Make Your Own Wedding Veil in Six Easy Steps
Want a wedding veil made to your specifications, but don't want to start out married life with a second mortgage? Consider making it yourself!
It really isn't that hard, and it's almost always cheaper than buying. The specifics will be as unique as you are, but the general steps to making your own veil are always the same.
Step 1: Choose your veil's style, shape, length, edging, and embellishments.
The simplest design: a plain, single-tier veil with a comb attached. Adding tiers, decorations, and edging takes a bit more skill, but it's still well within the abilities of a weekend-warrior seamstress.To gauge the right length, measure from the point on your head where you'll attach the veil to the point where you want it to fall. To get the exact shape and look you want, experiment with tracing, pattern or tissue paper. Or, find an inexpensive used veil with the right shape and take it apart to use as a pattern!
Then, to figure out how many yards of tulle, organza or chiffon you'll need, add the total length of all tiers to the blusher length (if applicable), divide by 36 inches, then round up to the nearest yard. When you're done — and you've settled on decorations and finishing touches — you're ready for a big pat on the back ... and step two.
Step 2: Go shopping!
The tulle's width will determine how much you can gather your veil, which also determines how full it will be. A 45- or 72-inch width is fine for narrow veils with few or moderate gathers. But 108 inches is better for fuller, cascading veils. It's hard to build a lot of fullness with narrow material.Other supplies sure to come in handy: a rotary cutter (or sharp scissors), a pad to cut on, weights to anchor the tulle, measuring tape, pins, and needle and thread to match your tulle and edging. Plus, you'll need fabric glue, toothpicks for detail work, embellishments or other decorations and the edging. If you plan to secure the veil directly to your hair, buy a plain veil comb. For a detachable veil, buy Velcro or bridal loops.
Step 3. Lay out and cut the fabric.
You want the veil to be symmetrical, so start by folding the tulle in half lengthwise. That way, it won't be obvious if one of your cuts is less than pure perfection.As a guide when cutting the material, use the pattern you made earlier. To prevent sliding, lay coasters or other weights near the edges. Remember to fold the pattern in half just as before, and pin it to the material if needed.
Step 4. Finish the edges.
If you want a finished edge to your veil, practice! Some techniques, such as a rolled edge, are easier to master than others. But if you're angling for a more complex edge — like ribbon, lace, or other flat trim — be sure to leave plenty of time to get it right before attacking the actual veil. Also, for that pro look, sew your edging 1/4" to 1/2" from the edge and trim back the excess when done.Step 5. Add your embellishments!
The easiest time to glue or sew rhinestones, pearls or other embellishments to the material is now, while the veil is flat.But before gluing, spread foil or other non-porous material on the table (but not newspaper — the ink will bleed onto your veil). As with the edging, perfect your technique by practicing first. Allow the glue to dry before moving onto step 6.
Step 6. Gather the veil and sew on the comb.
Gather the veil and sew it to the veil comb with a running stitch, using heavy thread. For detachability, use bridal loops or Velcro instead of (or in addition to) the comb. To remove wrinkles, hang the veil from a hanger — in a steamy bathroom if necessary.And now, your dream veil's finished. Exactly what you wanted ... at a fraction of the cost!
i want make a ruffle wired edge tulle veil.
can i use fishing wire for that . and if so how do i do it?
Jayne,
This may help…
The veil pictured in Step one has a more structured edging. It appears the second picture in the first row below step one also has a structured edging. It appears to be more than a satin edging. Can anyone tell me what that is called and how it is made? This is what my soon-to-be daughter-in-law wants for her wedding and with her birthday coming, thought I could volunteer to sew it for her. I have much sewing experience and made my own dress years ago. Just need the name so I can get the proper technique learned. TIA
What a sweet and lovely idea!
The soft roller coaster effect on the edge is an indication that a light gauge fishing line was used on the bobbin instead of regular thread. I am going to make a veil similar to that today or tomorrow.
You can purchase the fishing line at Wal-mart or a hardware store such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Make sure that you get a very fine, light gauge. You can purchase ribbon for the edge, if you like; I will be using bias cut silk charmeuse. I will assume that you know the width you need for the effect you want to create and how to properly fold it.
Load your bobbin with the fishing line. Using fishing line as the bottom thread can sometimes cause a tension problem so make sure that the thread and the fishing line form tight, uniform stitches. You may have to smooth and tighten by hand. Make sure that you tie knots at the beginning and end of the stitch, otherwise the fishing line may begin to loosen. I am going to straight stitch around the veil once with the fishing line before adding the ribbon and then use regular thread on the bobbin when I attach my bias cut silk binding. You can do it all in one step but I prefer two because if I have any issues with the fishing line then I want to address those prior to attaching the silk. Also, pin and needle holes in charmeuse show up and look very unattractive so I don’t want to have to rip anything out. If you have a binding attachment, attach it to your machine and sew your ribbon to the tulle. If you are making a stitch around the veil with the fishing line before attaching the ribbon, make that stitch a little closer to the edge of the veil so that it doesn’t show when you attach the ribbon. This will give your daughter-in-law to be the veil of her dreams. I hope the wedding is beautiful and you enjoy the process!
Looks like a “rolled” edge to me.
Hi! So, I found a veil at David’s Bridal that I love but it’s $200.
I can’t spend that much. I could, but I’m too frugal too. A friend suggusted I make my own. My only problem is it’s a scalloped edge with lots of beading.
That’s it pretty much. How would I go about doing the scalloped edge?
Bridgette,
There will be more than meets the eye in making this veil. My suggestion is finding a seamstress ( is there one in the family or maybe a friend?) Another idea is Ebay. I searched for beaded wedding veils then I searched beaded scalloped veil and a couple came back.
I was looking at the veil and I am thinking it is style 689?
Lots of brides sell their items after the wedding…
* look at these results
I don’t know if I’m too late to comment, but if you have any sewing experience at all, I would check out JoAnn Fabrics, too. In the wedding fabrics, I’ve seen material of this type and nature…and you *might* be able to make it work for the veil that you’re in love with. Just a thought. :) Good luck!
To make the scallop, get a protractor or make a circle out of card board or find something circular. Put a mark on one side and then at the half way point on the other side of the circular object so that you have a beginning point and an ending point. This will ensure that scallops are all the same. Make the pattern for your veil, which will be about 2/3 of a big circle or ellipse. Add the scallops by tracing from the beginning point to the ending point of whatever you chose to use for the scallop pattern.
Tada!
If I want a thicker satin edge on my veil, can I just glue the ribbon to the edge? or do i have to fold the ribbon around the edge of the tulle and sew it? If I can glue it, what would be the best option?
Staisha,
* loads of tips
* more tips
Hi
I want to try to make a veil for my sisters wedding. We’ve saw a fab cathedaral length one with a wavy/rippling effect satin edge. Very similar to the second picture above.
Should the veil be longer than the dress?
How can I achieve the wavy effect on the edge?
Can you suggest a reliable supplier for tiny crystals and what is the best way to attach them.
Regards
Paula
Paula,
* really great link DIY hers is a satin corded veil with the slight ripple effect.
* more diy
Any craft supply store has tiny crystals. The only thing oyu need to do is get some heavy strength fabric glue and carefully secure them on the veil. make sure youlook and know the patttern which you are gonna design them.
* this shows how to add beads by sewing
If you are still unsure then head to a fabric/sewing store and look at some patterns. Walmart or any place like that has veil patterns in the pattern books.
*have the wedding veil suit the face shape
* another article
I am going to use my mom’s veil muins head pice and 2 of the 3 shorter lenght veil ! well my mom has a veil with a knee or little longer with lace around it with 3 elbow lenght/ blush veil with a head pice and i want to use the longer lenght and one of the 3 shorter lenght veil and i don’t want to take some where’s to have it fix the way i want it ! what should i do ?! iam not engaged yet !
Liz,
I am not sure what you are asking. Did you want to combine them someway? I wouldnt cut it up, since it is yur moms. The best thing is to take it to someone who specializes in passed down items. Even though you dont want to take it to someone I highly recommend it unless you have sewing/craft skills. If you coudl post a pic of the veils I might be able to tell more about it.
my mom dosen’t mind its just sitting here my room in space bag ! iam pretty crafty !! i want to use my mom’s veil from 28 years ago, iam want use the knee lenght ( with lace around the edge of it ) and one of the shorter ones !! i ‘ll try to get pictures up !
Liz,
Thanks!!
hi, i’m 17 and getting married next august…i’m on a really tight budget and can sew, but not that great, no one else in our famillies sew, any ideas on what to do??? i’ve got a budget of 1500 but that is for EVERYTHING…
Hi Amanda,
Sure there are alot of DIY projects you can do! Could you give me the wedding you would like to have? Casual, modern, rustic, vintage? Vintage is the hot ticket now. You can plan a wedding on a budget so easy by scouring flea markets and thrift stores. Have you got your location and venue? If so could tell me about it? or give me a pic or link? Also what about colors and your personal style? That will help narrow down some ideas. Since your getting married in August that could be late summer early fall. What about reception style? I have some links I want to give you.
* great site, breaks down the budget piece by piece with ideas!
* check this out, look how vintage bottles can look, can do the same with glasses.
The dress in the last article was under $9. It was a beautiful shoot dont you agree? I would eliminate the unnecessaries.
* look what this couple did. They got married for $100 and it is gorgeous! The setting is perfect, no need for much decor which is a huge money saver!!
Love the mason jars! Perfect for vases and candles. I priced a dozen here for under $8. If you go vintage or reuse you will save, save, save!! Keep your color scheme basic. If you have a neutral and a pop of color it will keep costs down. Love eco-green weddings? mason jars and fresh clipped greenery from a garden, votives ( dollartree.com has vases etc. for a buck!)Use cream colored roses or gerberas( stick to a single type flower in a single color cuts costs or a wildflower theme) add simple beaded garland from a craft store or have long ribbons hanging from trees. Girls in simple black (rewearable) dresses. or another classic color that goes with everything. Let me know I will be happy to help!!
You can also look on Criags List for dresses and wedding items. I would also check out garage sales..this past summer I bought 6 dozen partially used voltives with candles for 25 cents!!!
I am getting maried in 2 weeks on a moderate budget a lifesaver for me was the cost of the dress, I wsa able to get a $3,000 dress for $400! how is this possible?? I got a sample dress from “last season” the question is who cares that it ws from last season? NO ONE! the point here is to ask the dress shop if they are will ing ot sell samples at a reduced rate or if they have some sort of clearence rack. The people at the shop i went to were more than willing to help me find a dress I loved that was in my budget! happy hunting and best wishes :)
Does anyone know how to hand monogram a veil?
Thanks!
Hi
I have a deep purple dress and want to make my own veil but I dont know what would be a good substitute for tulle! I was thinking organza??? 
Any feedback would be appreciated!
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what sort of fabric I would need to make a coloured wedding veil?
Crystal, I think organza would probably work….they do make tulle in other colors than white if you still want to try tulle or try bridal tulle or netting. I am glad to hear someone else is wearing a colored wedding gown as I myself ordered a dark blue sapphire/royal colored gown that is actually a ball gown not an actual wedding gown. I’m going to go with a white veil with embellishments and trim it with the blue on the edge with either ribbon or lace. My earlier question/comment was to due with the Mccall’s pattern calling for finishing lace which the pattern lists as an item to use to attach to the top of the veil and attach to the tiara. I posted the comment and have had no responses….Apparently noone knows what finishing lace is??? But for you…organza might be nice or some other sheer colored material….i don’t think tulle is a requirement for a veil. see how certain materials drape by going to the fabric shop and just try laying a piece out and seeing how it drapes…
Sally, thank-you for your input!!! Im sorry to say that I have no idea what finishing lace is, but have you tried googling it??? I like your idea of trying different material and seeing how it feels and falls, I wouldnt have thought of that!!!
Also, I bought a Lace-Up Renaissance Peasant Corset Dress (mouthful I know, but well worth the lengthy name!) so one could never say my dress is at all traditional! I like your idea re your own veil, sounds like it will be very lovely :) Fingers crossed for both of us that our days go without a hitch! x
Crystal: I know its been awhile since you posted (& you might already be married). But another very nice fabric for a veil is called “bridal illusion”. Very pretty & easy to work with. Have you thought of a light satin? Also suggest you consider the time of year of your wedding re: the heaviness of the fabric.
Here’s a thought how to be “different”. Make a 2 tiered veil (one with a blusher) out of 2 different kinds of material such as ,bridal illusion for the veil itself & organza for the blusher or satin for the veil & organza for the blusher.
Happy sewing! Would love to see how it turns out!
I bought a McCall’s pattern to make a veil and on the envelope it mentions one of the notions I need is called finishing lace. Does anyone know what that is? I have looked for it online and on ebay and searches come up empty. I am wondering if it is like Lace Hem binding or hem tape or is it simply any kind of lace or your choice? If anyone has heard of this item please advise. Thanks! Sally
does the picture on the pattern have lace around the veil or one of the veils? that could be a great clue!! from what I understand they would probably be referring to a lace of your choice to use on the edge. did you ask someone at the fabric store? they are usually pretty helpful in figuring that kind of stuff out!
hi, i’ve seen a split strip wedding veil in a bridal shop, however when i looked at the price tag, OMG, so i thought i’d attempt to make it. it has 8 strips of tulle, varying in length. does anyone know where to find a pattern or a how to guide?
thanks
Hi!! I’m looking to make a veil as long as long as Princess Diana’s, which was apparantly 25 FT IN LENGTH with my own details and touches!!! Do you have any ideas? I don’t even know where to start! Please help!
lauralei, here is the company that actually supplied her veil…..
* Wedding Veils Gallery
* How to Make a Wedding Veil
* IndieBride: DIY Veil???
* DIY Network: Bridal Veil and Headpiece
* Wedding veil – make one!
* The best wedding veil fabric ( just a little article about her veil)
* Item # Princess Diana Wedding Tiara
you should be able to adjust the length you want with these simple directions!! if these dont help good luck!!
thank you so much for this tips on how i can make my own wedding veil. It saves me a lot of money…
i hope you keep on helping more people
hi i’m looking for a white veil with black detail along the edge instead of a trim. just a short veil to sit at the bottom of my head. does anybody know where i can get on? or have one made?
fabric stores often have business cards or bulletin boards with names and businesses of people who do custom work. Joann fabrics is a good one to go to. They also have free classes you can attend!
Try etsy.com everything is either homemade or vintage, and people do costume orders at a quarter of the price of an “official shop”. Good Luck.
Hi,
I’m getting married on October 4th this year and my mom has made my veil. We put the satin ribbon along the edges to give it a little something extra. But the ribbon is kinda stiff after sewing it on. Got any suggestions as to how we can make it to where is isn’t so stiff?
Thanks,
Callie
i cant get the beads to stick on the tulle. I used super glue and jewel glue but the pearls just brushed off easily after they were dry. any ideas what glue to use? E6000? thanks for your help
Where is a good place to find a PLAIN (no embellishments whatsoever) wire-toothed comb for a veil. I’m having my veil made by my mother-in-law to be and although I don’t want any embellishments on my veil, I do want the comb to be of good quality so it is secure to my head. Any ideas?
I found a plain tulle wrapped comb to attach a veil to at Micheal’s craft store. I’m pretty sure I saw metal ones at Joanne’s. Good luck.
looking for a polka dot mesh, white mesh with white polka dots.
can you suggest any place. On a bolt of material, not so much like a ribbon, but like a slip over a dress would do.
It’s called point d’espirit material. You can get it at a good fabric store, even Joanne’s carries it or look on like. It comes in white, ivory, and black. Good luck.
Hi!
I want to make a handkerchief veil 1 or 2 tiers. What shape would I cut the tulle?
Hi, I’m trying to sew a cascading,fingertip,satinbinding edged veil. Do I use the 72 or 102″ wide toiuling and does it make a difference on the shape of the bottom for the amount of cascading? We want the rippling effect down the sides of the body.