Your thoughts on my daughter's veil?

Question

My daughter is getting married in October. Her style is very simple...she's not into frills, fluffs or lace.

We have had quite a bit of trouble finding a suitable veil, most particularly because the length she wants is not available anywhere (she wants it to be longer than her shoulder length hair, but short enough that it doesn't hit the top of her strapless gown).

That said, we plan on me making it...Not too hard, really, considering she is looking for something simple. I made my own when I got married years ago, so I'm familiar with the basics.

My question is this:
Considering she doesn't want any flowers or lace on it, how do you recommend finishing the edge of the tulle? I have recommended miniature (fake) pearls, but she's not excited about that, either. Her dress is white with a black sash...Would a black ribbon be too much? Ideas?

Thanks for all the suggestions! FYI, the link in Ashlie's answer is too long, and too "froofy" for my daughter...Just so you all have a good idea of exactly how simple a veil we're looking for!

Oh, yeah...and I'm not worried about the tulle unraveling...just that it might look odd with unfinished edges. The way it's made, you can't cut a straight line.

And I'm not "imprisoning" my daughter in anything! For pete's sake, who on earth gave you the idea that I want her to have a veil? SHE wants one, that's why we're trying to find one for her!
FYI, she will wear this simple item along with a fairly simple headband-style tiara.

Cardgirl, you should look around...Black & white weddings are not only all the rage, but are actually fairly traditional.

Answer 1

Here is a link for how to make a wedding veil. There is a section on edge finishes that talks about doing a serged pencil edge, a rolled edge, or a corded edge. These would all look simple and elegant. For a simple style of corded edge you could use a thin satin ribbon or satin rattail. I'd recommend keeping the edge white. I think the black finishing would just look too harsh.

http://www.wegotgame.net/jen/veils.html

Answer 2

What about just a simple satin colored hair band, and you can tack the ends to the underneath side of the band. Try looking at crafts stores they always have tulle that is cut and ready for a veil and should have the hair bands, what about finding a hair band that is black and white striped or has a simple pattern of black and white, if you look at the crafts stores there should also be pattern books about making veils and also for how to cover a hair band, then if she doesn't want anything on the band that will work. If she does want you can stich on some pearls or something to decorate it, actually if you are really careful you could probably glue them...I would use a toothpick to dip the gule in and then put the glue tipped toothpick on the headband and then put the bead in place. Less chance for a mess.

As for finishing the bottom edges of the veil, have you thought about hand stitching some thin simple ribbon such as a satin? You could als make the veil in two layers so that one is longer than the other, but be careful not to make it too full she may not like it as full.

Answer 3

Tulle doesn't ravel, so you don't actually need to edge it at all, if she'd prefer not to.

On the other hand, if she likes the black ribbon idea, why not try a small sample on a scrap of tulle and see how it looks next to her face. If she likes it, go ahead and do the whole thing. If not, then you know to scrap that idea and think again. Remember to consider whether the ribbon will make the veil too stiff as well as how the color looks.

If you do decide to do the black, I'd recommend keeping it very narrow ribbon or very fine cording. Wide ribbon could be overpowering.

Answer 4

I don't like the black ribbon idea; I don't think it would look right on the edge of a white veil. Why do you have to finish the edges at all? Tulle doesn't normally fray so there shouldn't be a problem. You could roll the edges a little bit. I would go to AC Moore or Michaels and see what they have, you might be able to work with something already made, maybe just trim it.

Answer 5

I would definitely not go with black.

You can simply cut the tulle & leave it unfinished.
or
You can use a hem foot for your sewing machine that will just make a very narrow hem around the tulling. The biggest problem is not stretching it when going around curves. The hem is very tiny rolled hem & is stitched.

I think the simplier the better. You don't really want to accent the edge of the veil. You want the accent to be more on the headpiece or her dress, so I'd leave off all additional trims.

I made my veil as well in 1973.

Answer 6

I like the idea of the black trim to match her sash on the dress. It would be a nice balance, however, I would make it a very thin black ribbon as to not overpower the delicate look of the veil. I think you need a little bit of black somewhere else other than the sash. So the focus doesn't go just to the sash that is definitely going to stand out.

Answer 7

White ribbon would look great! elegant and plain. Thats how mine was and I'm the same way. Very plain. I like the idea of the black ribbon around the edge but it may be just a little "edgy" for your daughter so I would aks her her thoughts on this detail. I think ribbon, regardless, will keep the look simple and classy.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h289/desirose08/Wedding5.jpg

In this picture you can sort of see the ribbon detail in the back if that helps at all.

Also, my hair stylish sprayed my veil with silver glitter spray. It looked great and finished the veil off with just the littlest amount of glitz. Something else she might like. :)

Answer 8

You can do a thin black ribbon on the edge.
If not pearls, maybe little rhinestones scattered through out the veil? Just not big ones, just enough to catch someones eye with sparkles.

I am the same way about frills and lace and flowers.
My wedding is in November, and I am finding it really hard to find things lacking the girly girl stuff.

Answer 9

Please don't put black trim on the veil..this is a wedding not a funeral. P.S. what is with the black sash on your daughter's gown? So morbid and dark. Wow....never saw that before. What you can do is handroll and sew the edge of the veil. You wet your two fingers and grab the edge and roll it and then make very small fine stitches by hand. My Mom was great at that. But it can be done. Practice on a piece of tulle and seel if you can accomplish it.

Answer 10

I don't think black will work very well. It will be too much of a contrast. I didn't have anything on the edge of my veil. I had scattered seed pearls instead, but nothing at all on the edges. It didn't fray, curl, or anything else. If she doesn't like that, I would use thin white satin ribbon.