DIY Birdcage Wedding Veil
Making a veil at home can be just as simple as hunting for one. This birdcage veil was custom made for the bride above, Halligan Norris Smith. The assemblage process took only a couple of hours and shopping for the materials was even less time. The best part is that you have the custom veil you wanted, for much less money. Click “more” below to read the rest of the tutorial…
Materials & Tools
-4×4 Square of felt
-1/2 yd of 9 or 8” wide Russian veiling
-Hat combs (optional, bobby pins may substitute)
-Fabric glue
-Good luck charm
-3 silk or fabric flowers, source: craft store, tinseltrading.com
-8 filler flowers, millinery or small silk flowers work well
-Needle & thread
-Scissors
-Straight pins
-Ruler/ measuring tape
Instructions
Step 1-Cut heart from felt using template or freehand
Step 2-Cut veiling to 14” piece, if you want a fuller veil add an inch or two, demonstrate fullness by gathering the fabric in one hand. When cutting, be sure to cut just below the “knots”
Step 3-With needle and thread make a continuous running stitch starting with a cut edge, then work needle along one finished edge and thru the other cut edge. Leaving opposite finished edge open. Be sure to catch each stitch through the “knots” of the veiling.
Step 4- Gather to fit on felt heart, then tack down by stitching with needle and thread. At this point play with veiling and placement using a model head or in the mirror. If using combs, attach now to opposite side of heart that veil is attached to.
Steps 5 & 6-Pin flowers to heart, on top of veiling to figure out best placement, then tack down with needle and thread or glue into place.
Step 7-Once main flowers are set into place add filler flowers, good luck charms or trims to your liking. Set flowers by gluing stem ends and sticking them in-between main flowers. Charms or trims can be added with needle and thread.
Project created by Haylie Bird Waring
WL writes
I don’t quite get what happens to the actual veil between 4 and 6, does it all go beneath the flowers? Can we have more photos from different angles- that would help to illustrate how to get the flip-down part of the veil? Thanks!
HaylieBird writes
Dear WL,
I’m sorry I don’t have anymore images, but yes, the flowers go over the veil, where the veil is stitched to the heart. You will see when you gather the veiling, it creates a bubble like form, and that portion hangs down over the eyes, you are only attaching a small portion of the veil (the gathered end) to the felt piece. As I worked on the veil, the part that hangs over the eyes was folded under the felt heart to keep from getting it tangled. I hope this helps. From now on I will be better about documenting each step and from different angles.
Thanks,
Haylie
Melissa writes
This is my favorite site for wedding and entertaiinment decor ideas. I saw a suprise wedding reception on the Color Me Katie blog and I thought you might enjoy it. Here is the link.
http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/2009/06/surprise-wedding-reception.html
This just made me SOOOOOOO excited! Thanks for sharing :)
Sheila writes
Where can you buy Russian veiling? I’ve bee looking for it everywhere with no success.
Manders writes
Caroyln, I had to order mine online… try this place. They shipped mine so quickly! You have to order a whole yard, but it’s worth it if you want to try out a few different things (or mess up)!
http://www.housefabric.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=17254
Manders writes
I meant Sheila… oopsie!
HaylieBird writes
Dear Sheila,
I found this online source, http://www.hatsupply.com/russianveiling.htm
but I have never ordered from here before, I actually purchased the veiling that I used for Halli’s veil at Tinsel Trading in New York City, but I have also seen it at several other bridal supply shops that I have visited in the past few months. Also check at etsy.com (search under supplies).
I hope this helps. Good luck on your search.
Thanks,
Haylie
midwestelle writes
Thank you thank you! I am definitely bookmarking this post for when I need it! :)
Best Wishes!
BridalWeddingBoutique.com writes
This is beautiful! Great idea!
seamsgoodtome writes
Love this- thank you!!
manders- thank you for the website. i ordered a yard last night!
cant wait to get started
id love to see pics if anyone makes one!!
[...] The Most Creative DIY Project of the Week: Once Wed – Birdcage Wedding Veil [...]
myDIYweddingday writes
So beautiful! Including in my link roundup.
cherry writes
This is beautiful! Thank you for showing how to make it.
Heather writes
This was so helpful and I can’t wait to make it! Thank you so much..
Michele writes
Love, love, love this. So perfect.