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Mrs. Perfume, DC Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor) Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant Engagement Date: May 13, 2008 Wedding Date: May, 2009 Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
About Mrs. Perfume

DIY Veil With Lacey Afterthoughts

March 24th, 2009 @ 5:54 pm by Mrs. Perfume

I didn’t think I wanted a veil. But shortly after I found my dress, my mother decided to experiment with making me a simple and unadorned one.

She purchased a wide (about 108″) width of soft tulle (from our favorite cheapy fabric store) to practice, along with some clear plastic combs from Michaels. She cut a straight edge across the bottom (rather than rounded–it’s easier and was my preference) by folding the fabric lengthwise twice, then cutting it.

Then she attached the tulle to the comb by first gently gathering the fabric on one of the long ends, and then stitching it to the comb with some clear thread.

She brought the stitches through the veil, around the ’spine’ of the comb, and between the teeth. [The red thread in the image shows you approximately how to place the stitches--you, of course, will use a white, ivory, or clear thread!] She kept the gathered veil on ’top’ of the comb to prevent the comb from showing when it is slid into the hair. (So as you fold the comb under the veil to put it on, you do not see any stitching or edges.)

Source

I was very satisfied with the outcome of the plain, cathedral-length veil, but was a little iffy about the straightness of the cut edge at the bottom. So I found some vintage Chantilly lace border online to cover it up and add a little ’something’ to it. But I was a big dummy. Because I didn’t measure the width of the veil correctly, so the lace was about six inches too short. Plus, it was too white for the ivory tulle.

So, armed with exact measurements, I set out to find more lace for the bottom border. It was very difficult to find the right length and width. I needed at least 108″ across and preferred to have something at least 7″ high. The fabric shops were a bit pricey, so I felt lucky when I found this lace for about half the price of retail on eBay. It was the right amount (plus some).

Though not Chantilly, the Alencon (also known as re-embroidered) lace was just as nice, though a bit heavier. But once again, it wasn’t the right color (the “diamond white” was too white–I don’t know what I was thinking).

Frustrated, I forgot about it for a while. In the meantime, I saw a veil that I fell in love with. It was a beautiful modified mantilla—that is, it had lace all around the edges of the veil. But in this version, instead of the laying flat on top of the head, the veil has gathers at the crown. I’ve also seen another version where there is no lace at the gathering, but it starts about six inches down from the comb.

Source

So I found some more lace to go along the sides of the veil. This time it was the right color, and also the delicate Chantilly I wanted.

I decided I wanted to mix the two (Chantilly along the sides and the Alencon for the bottom border). First, because there wasn’t enough Chantilly to go along the bottom border, and second, I wanted a large, wide border at the bottom to anchor the veil. I didn’t mind that they were two different types of laces, but the colors were very different.

You might not be able to tell from this image, but the piece at the top (the Alencon) is lighter than the one at the bottom (the Chantilly).

So I decided to tea dye the Alencon. I boiled about five tea bags (just plain Lipton black tea) and tested the color with small pieces of the lace. I adjusted the darkness by diluting the “dye” with water until I got the right shade.

After finding the right proportions, I dunked the whole nine feet of lace into the pot of tea.

I hung it to dry overnight then brought it to my mother to stitch onto the plain veil.

Here is a sneak peek at the finished product (please ignore my creepy 3/4 face staring at you)! Again, notice that the lace starts below the gathering at the comb—so there is no lace at the top. We found that the lace sat weird when sewn into the gathers, so this was an easy and cleaner solution.

The image at the very top shows the mix of the two laces. They blend rather nicely (thanks, mom!) and I’m really, really happy with how well the colors of the different laces match!

Are you making your own veil? Share your DIY tips with the hive!

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34 Responses to “DIY Veil With Lacey Afterthoughts”

1.
Member Icon
Member
Senonasun (message)  44 posts, Newbee

I just did a DIY Wedding Veil feature on my blog!
I decided to try my hand at making a traditional veil and a birdcage veil.

http://peachesbyplums.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/diy-wedding-veil/

I think it will mean more to wear something that I worked hard on then wear something I just bought at some store.

 
2.
frenchbulldog
Bee
frenchbulldog (message)  6,074 posts, Bee Keeper

Beautiful! Your mother is so talented!
I can’t wait to see your veil with your dress :)

 
3.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Taffy (message)  2,605 posts, Sugar bee

It looks amazing!!! :)
I am still going back and forth about lace edging on my veil, but found the lace I was pining for yesterday! Now I am inspired to start pinning it on. :)

 
4.
Miss Popcorn
Member
Miss Popcorn (message)  90 posts, Worker bee

That looks awesome! Great job Miss Perfume!

 
5.
nelzbels
Member
nelzbels (message)  107 posts, Blushing bee

It looks great! I’m also making my veil. I made a trial and it looked nice. Here’s my tip. When you iron (and you must iron it) do so on low heat. I got impatient and turned up the heat… and I burned a hole in it. Not what you want to be doing if it’s your actual veil.

 
6.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Peep Toe (message)  1,636 posts, Bumble bee

Gorgeous!! So beautiful!

 
7.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss D'orsay (message)  1,293 posts, Bumble bee

gorgeous!!

 
8.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Bruschetta (message)  5,553 posts, Bee Keeper

I’m so impressed — but not surprised — by your DIY resourcefulness! Tea dye? Sheesh, Miss Perfume, you never cease to amaze! ;-)

 
9.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  4,105 posts, Honey bee

WOw. This was DIY project where I got to the point of purchasing and tea-dying the lace and gave up! It was just too much work and I couldn’t be sure I’d be pleased with the results.

You did a fantastic job! way to go!

 
10.
Emilydll
Member
Emilydll (message)  428 posts, Helper bee

I’ve never seen a DIY veil before! Unbelievably gorgeous! :)

 
11.
Member Icon
Member
ES123 (message)  1,024 posts, Bumble bee

Your mom is pretty awesome.

 
12.
Guest Icon
Guest
jc4evaluv

So crafty!! It looks great!

 
13.
redbullfanatic
Member
redbullfanatic (message)  190 posts, Blushing bee

GORGEOUS! You’re so smart to dye it with tea…I never even thought about that…I can’t wait to see the full picture, it’s gorgeous.

Do you have any sellers that you would recommend to get the lace from? My gown is “natural” color and has alecon lace on the top and the trim of the dress so I know it’s going to be hard to find lace to match it.

 
14.
Miss Gloss
Bee
Miss Gloss (message)  1,057 posts, Bumble bee

Lovely! Make mine please!!

 
15.
Guest Icon
Guest
Amanda

I tea-dyed mine a few weeks ago as well. The blazing white lace just didn’t make it against my ivory gown. :-) Except the only tea I had in the house was a “breathe easy” medicinal tea. Oh well. No body would know the difference anyways!

I do love the idea of starting the lace a few inches below the comb. Mine is bunching in funny places at the top of my head. Maybe I’ll tweek it here and there! Thanks Miss Perfume!!

 
16.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Duckling (message)  1,349 posts, Bumble bee

Oh it looks beautiful! Your mother is so talented!

 
17.
Cole B
Member
Cole B (message)  450 posts, Helper bee

I am really impressed. Your mom did an awesome job!

 
18.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Plumeria (message)  250 posts, Helper bee

Wow that is impressive. What a great story behind a beautiful veil! :)

 
19.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Canary (message)  636 posts, Busy bee

Wow! That’s so beautiful. I love the backstory and how-to. I think the combination came out perfect! And nice job on dyeing it… I would have totally messed that up!

 
20.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Sea Breeze (message)  913 posts, Busy bee

It’s really, really beautiful! You did an incredible job and that’s a fantastic how-to.

 
21.
Guest Icon
Guest
cara

Holy cow, this is amazing :) Great job - that dye idea was *genius* — and I definitely dig the lace framing your face + not at the top, good job! And lucky you to have a talented mom to help out, too :) — can’t wait to see how everything turns out together!

 
22.
Member Icon
Member
browneyes (message)  83 posts, Worker bee

what a great solution - tea bags! you’re veil looks lovely.

i’m going to make my veil too, a mantilla veil. i’m fortunate to be currently in l.a. and get my materials from the fashion district. i got my light gold lace for $0.99 a yard! i am unsure of what the lace quality is like, but it looks nice. i’m excited to make it soon :)

 
23.
mrspaetz
Member
mrspaetz (message)  1,707 posts, Bumble bee

you are so brave, tea bags!!! i’m gonna use tea bags in my attempt to ‘vintage-ize’ some decor items. hope that works out for me. eeeks.

once again kudos to your very talented Mom!

 
24.
MissFabulosity
Member
MissFabulosity (message)  2 posts, Wannabee

That veil looks fabulous! It looks so professional, like one you would pay at least $100 for in shop! You did a great job! (Plus I love it even more because I love lace!)

 
25.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Piglet (message)  629 posts, Busy bee

Beautiful! Mama Perfume is quite amazing! Also worth mentioning is how gorgeous your skin is! :)

 
26.
Luvbug6315
Member
Luvbug6315 (message)  427 posts, Helper bee

wow, I love your veil. Great job. I do love the way the lace starts on the sides, it looks fantastic!

 
27.
Member Icon
Member
Mrs. Woody-to-be (message)  73 posts, Worker bee

Haha, that’s great! My instant thought when you said the alencon lace was just lighter than the chantilly was “tea dye it!” And from the sneak peek, it looks like your veil came out beautifully!!

I tried making a mockup of my veil, following the same directions as the one where you got the picture from - but I’m confused as to keeping the veil “on top of” the comb when stitching it on.

Because you’d stich the veil on as in the picture, and then flip it over the top of the comb to be able to insert the comb in with the teeth facing the back of the head, right? Or does “on top” of the comb mean along the narrow width of the comb’s edge? I’m so confused, haha.

 
28.
Mrs. Penguin
Bee
Mrs. Penguin (message)  2,148 posts, Buzzing bee

So pretty!

 
29.
MightySapphire
Hostess
MightySapphire (message)  2,608 posts, Sugar bee

You are so clever to “dye” the lace ivory!! I wouldn’t have thought of that! Very beautiful veil and I am jealous because I know that most veils run about $300 to look like that!!

 
30.
Miss Grizzly Bear
Member
Miss Grizzly Bear (message)  42 posts, Newbee

Wow, that is so impressive. I would be so nervous dunking the entire piece in, but look how beautiful it turned out!!!! Good for you for making your veil all the more special and personal!

 
31.
Member Icon
Member
hirsche (message)  227 posts, Helper bee

Miss Perfume that veil is breathtaking! Thanks for sharing your process. I have lace from my grandmothers dress…it is by no means enough to go around an entire veil… however, I think finding something complementary and merging together like you mentioned, could work! I won’t have to tea-dye my grandmothers lace…time has done that for me–but I will definately be trying to get “new” lace to match! Can’t wait to see your whole wedding day look!

 
32.
driftslikesmoke
Hostess
driftslikesmoke (message)  1,220 posts, Bumble bee

Gorgeous job! My mom will be DIYing and monogramming my veil for me. I can’t wait!

 
33.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Perfume (message)  1,640 posts, Bumble bee

Thanks guys, my mom deserves all the credit!!

 
34.
Newport Nuptials
Member
Newport Nuptials (message)  1,133 posts, Bumble bee

I am super inmpressed. It is mroe gorgeous tahn a veil you can buy!

 


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Mrs. Perfume Mrs. Perfume, DC Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor) Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant Engagement Date: May 13, 2008 Wedding Date: May, 2009 Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
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