timeless and classic

Wedding Veil Tutorial

Milliner Tracy Young

Welcome

We are thrilled that you have joined our family of DIY Brides.

This tutorial will guide you while you make a classic wedding veil.  Before you begin, you’ll need to decide on the length of your veil, and whether you want a blusher.  A blusher is a small veil that covers your face and is attached to the main veil.  You can refer to the illustration and pictures below to make these wedding veil decisions.
Once you’re ready to start, the videos are in sequential order and numbered. Start by watching the first video, and continue to the next video. You can rewatch a video as many times as you like.  If you see an error message preventing the video from loading, simply refresh the page. 

Decide what length you want your veil to be and if you want a blusher.

bride wearing wedding veil

veil with blusher

bride wearing wedding veil

veil without blusher

1.Supplies

Click the button below to download a list of supplies that you’ll need to make your wedding veil. Many materials can be purchased from an arts and crafts supplies store but we’ve also included sources for tulle and trims.

Please refresh the page to see the video.

2.Measurements

This video explains how to determine the length of your veil. You’ll want to know where the veil will be placed on your head and if you want a blusher. Tulle comes in two widths: 54″ and 108″.  Use the 54-inch-wide tulle for shorter veils, but use the 108″ width tulle for a longer veil.

While the video demonstrates how to make a shoulder-length veil, it’s the same process for any length.  Use the illustration to see popular lengths of wedding veils. You might need to adjust the measurements to ensure everything falls perfectly.

3.Ironing

Your tulle will probably have folds from being stored and wrapped on a bolt. It’s much easier to remove the folds by ironing the material before you make your wedding veil. In this video, I demonstrate how to quickly and easily iron your fabric. Hint, it’s all about using lots of steam. If you are ironing on a wooden table, I recommend placing a cutting mat over the wood and covering the mat with a thick towel so the steam doesn’t affect the wood.

4.Cutting

In this video, you’ll learn how to cut the tulle for your veil. You’ll need lots of straight pins and some patience. I like the colored glass-head pins as they are easy to see in the tulle. Determine how long you want your veil to be.  Then fold the tulle in half width-wise. Use pins to match up the two sides.  Now fold the tulle in half length-wise. Secure all four layers with the pins.  This will ensure that the tulle doesn’t move when you cut it.

You’ll start by measuring half the length from the corner with the two folds and mark with a pin. Do this along several diagonals to create a cutting line with pins to follow. Insert the pin into the tulle twice so it doesn’t move. Cut the tulle and save the extra tulle as you will need it for the comb.

Remember to double-check your measurements.  Measure twice, cut once is a fabulous motto when sewing. By the way, the longer your veil, the more patience you’ll need.

5.Attaching

There are several ways to attach your veil to your hair. The most popular option is with a comb but you can also use a headband.  This can be a great option if you’re making a longer veil and have very fine hair.  Watch both videos to decide the best choice for your needs. The video for the headband describes how to attach a birdcage veil to the headband but it’s the same process as for a wedding veil.

A metal comb is the traditional way of securing your wedding veil. The longer the veil, the larger the comb you will need. Look for a “twisted wire metal comb” as this will stay in your hair better than a plastic or stamped-metal comb.  Select a comb with a matte finish because the finish on a shiny comb causes it to slip from your hair.  If you can only find a comb with a shiny finish, use a piece of fine sandpaper (600) to remove the finish on the comb before you wrap it in tulle. Once the comb is wrapped, you can then sew the veil to the comb.

Metal headbands like the one in the video are 1/8″ or 3/8″ wide. A quick search shows that they are available for purchase on Amazon. Just like the comb, you’ll need to wrap it so you can sew the veil to the headband. You can wrap the metal headband in tulle or with embroidery thread. Select the embroidery thread in a color that matches your hair so the headband blends in with your hair. You will need UHU glue or 450 Quick Dry Adhesive for this step, along with a short piece of ribbon or folded tulle. As you finish wrapping, use a dab of glue to adhere the end of the tulle or embroidery thread to the headband.
If you’re making a chapel-length veil, consider attaching a comb to the headband for an extra secure fit. Place the comb on the headband before you wrap it in tulle or embroidery thread. You wrap the tulle around the headband, then go through one tooth of the comb, and continue back around the headband. Do this until everything is wrapped. Place the comb with the teeth facing towards your back to provide more grip for the weight of the veil.

6.Assembly

This video explains how to put everything together. It’s the longest video as you learn to gather the tulle and sew it to the comb. You’ll need needles, thread, and a little bit of patience for this step. You’ll be sewing with a double thread using a whip stitch. The images below provide details on this stitch. Additionally, there is a video demonstrating this stitch.

As you get close to the edge of the tulle, it can be helpful to use a pin (or two) as a guide to help you sew in a straight line.  Ensure that your stitches are equal.  Once the tulle is gathered, you’re ready to attach it to the comb.  Locate the blusher side so that it lays on top of the comb and will cover your face.  Attach the veil to the comb or headband.

Whip stitch demonstration

7.Embellishing

In this video, you’ll discover how to embellish your comb. Pearls are one option that offer a classic touch of elegance and can be combined with some beads for a dash of sparkle. Before you start, test your needle to ensure that the needle goes through all the beads and pearls. Some needles may be too thick.  A beading needle may fit through the beads but may not be strong enough to go through the tulle on the comb without bending.

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