VEILS HOME

BRIDAL VEILS EXPLAINED
 Veil History
 Veil Lengths
 Veil Styles
 Veil Shapes and Cuts
 Veil Colors
 Veil Fabrics
 Birdcage Net
 Veil Prices
 Edges and Embellishments
 How To Wear a Mantilla Veil

MAKE YOUR OWN
WEDDING VEIL
5 Steps Overview
What You'll Need
Buying vs. Making Veil
Step 1: Measuring, Cutting
Step 2: Creating Blusher
Step 3: Attaching Beading, Trim
Examples: Edging, Crystals, etc
Step 4: Making Gathers
Step 5: Wrap, Attach Comb
How to Make a Birdcage Veil

INEXPENSIVE VEILS
 Wholesale Priced Veils (Cheap)

COLORS
 Ivory Veils
 White Veils
 Black Gothic Veils
 Blush / Other Colors

FABRICS
 Veil Tulle
 Chiffon
 Organza

LENGTHS
 Shoulder Length
 Elbow Veils
 Fingertip or Wrist Veil
 Knee, Waltz and Ballet Veils
 Chapel or Floor Length Veils
 Cathedral and Royal Lengths

STYLES
 The "Pouf" Headpiece
 Drop Veils
 Birdcage Veil
 Veil Blushers
 Tier Veils
 Flare Cut Veils
 Center-Gathered, Tier Veils
 Top Gathered, Standard Veils
 Mantilla Veil (Scalloped)
 Petal Veils
 A Vintage Veil

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Before you measure or cut material, you'll want to give some thought to how long you'd like your blusher and how full/number of gathers you'd like in it. The wider your material, the more gathers and fullness you will have.

As an example, a 17" long blusher, tapered so the tulle is less than the full width of the veil, falls down fairly straight, in a traditional look. The same blusher, shorter, will appear to "pouf" more than it's longer counterpart. For even more fullness, keep the blusher material width the full width of the veil.

If you prefer fewer gathers and less fullness for your blusher, another option is to make a separate face veil. Cut the length of the material the same as explained below, but cut the veil material off before gathering your veil. You can then shape the face veil separately and attach it later.

Measuring Material

For the blusher, measure from where you are going to attach the veil to your head down to where you would like it to fall in front. For the veil, first decide where you would like the veil to fall. Measure from the same point on your head to where ever you want it to fall on your body. The amount of material you need to make the veil equals the blusher length plus the veil length.

We recommend getting more than you need--at least double or triple. Tulle, which is the typical name for veil material, is inexpensive; by buying extra, you will have enough to experiment with or make a mistake. See below for a selection from our merchant partners as well as current eBay listings.

If you buy typical 54" tulle, it will be folded over to a 27" width. Keep it that way for cutting, so your veil shape is symmetrical. Likewise with 108" tulle--lay it out so the material is 54" wide.

[Sidebar: A nice selection of discount bridal tulle, lace, and other fabrics is available at this retailer.]

Making a Pattern

To  more easily round off the ends and edges of your fabric, into an oval shape, you will want to create a simple pattern. It's easy:

• Find a large piece of paper, such as wrapping paper.
• Make a curve on one side, using a large, curved surface like the end of an oval table or a hula hoop.
• Trace the arc onto the paper and cut.

Using the Pattern to Cut the Veil

• Place the pattern on the tulle so the curve is toward the open side.
• Pin pattern to tulle. Use weights as needed.
• Cut the tulle along the edge of your pattern, double checking you are cutting on the open side of the material. If you accidentally cut on the folded side, you will cut a curve into the center of your veil, instead of rounding the edges.
• Unpin the pattern.

When you unfold the material, you will see two rounded corners and two uncut corners.

Completing the Oval

You will now use the first cuts as a pattern for the remaining two, so your cuts are all at the same angle.

• Refold the tulle longwise, so each rounded corner lays over an uncut, square corner.
• Fold again, into 1/4ths so all four corners are together (like folding a sheet).
• To use the already cut corners as a pattern for the uncut, use your weights and pins to secure the material so it will not slide.
• Cut the two uncut corners by cutting along the previous curve.
• Take out the pins and unfold.

You will see you have an oval veil. If you want a sleek look, without gathers, this is a good place to stop.

You can attach this veil to your head with a hat pin to wear as a "drop" veil. If you wear a tiara or headband with it, you will want to secure it under the veil, so when you fold the front, blusher half back your headpiece will be visible.

Next, Step 2: Making the blusher for your veil.