Advice : Wedding, Marriage, Engagement, Anniversary

Bridesmaids and flower girls can dress up their hair with ribbons and flowers secured to barrettes and combs. Poufing tulle, which comes with a gathering thread sewn through the center, can be used to make an instant ruffle-edged frill for a barrette. By attaching a short veil, brides can wear these accessories too.

Making a Lace Bow Barrette with a Tulle Pouf

You Will Need

• Large clip type barrette
• Beading wire
• 1yd. alencon lace, 3in. to 5in. wide
• 1 1/2 yd. poufing tulle, 8in. wide
• Pearl sprays
• Hot glue gun

1. Remove tension bar from barrette, and insert wire into hole at barrette end. Twist wire to secure; wind wire over clasp and wrap wire three times around base of barrette, leaving wire attached to spool.
2. Pinch together one end of lace; wrap three times with wire to end of barrette, near clasp. Make loop; pinch together base of loop, and secure to barrette base, wrapping wire three times. Repeat, making four more loops. Secure wire to hole at other end of barrette, trim excess.
3. Tie off gathering threads at one end of poufing tulle. Pull thread to gather until tulle equals the length of bow; tie off. Hand stitch tulle to underside of bow.
4. Apply small amount of hot glue between loops, for support. Glue pearl sprays between lace loops and tulle as desired.

Making a Ribbon Bow Barrette
You Will Need

• Large clip-type barrette
• 1 1/2 yd. ribbon, 1 14in. wide
• 2yd. ribbon.1/8 wide
• 5 ribbon rosebuds
• Pearl sprays
• Liquid fray preventer
• Hot glue gun

1. Attach wire to barrette. Wrap ribbon loops to barrette, leaving 2 1/2in. tails at beginning and end. Secure about 11 loops, pointing first loop up, second loop down, and third loop to center; repeat pattern to end of barrette. Secure wire.
2. Adjust loops evenly along barrette; trim ribbons ends, and apply liquid fray preventer to raw edges.
3. Cut three 12in. and two 10in. streamers from 1/8 ribbon. Hot glue rosebud to end of each streamer. Hot glue streamers to underside of bow, glue pearl sprays to base of ribbon loops.

Making a Satin Bow Barrette or Comb
You Will Need

• 1/8yd. satin fabric
• Large clip type barrette or comb
• Hot glue gun

1. Cut three rectangles from fabric, 6in. x 10in. and 2 1/2in. x 4 1/2in. Fold each wider rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch long sides, using 1/2in. seam allowance; leave short ends open. Turn tubes right side out and press lightly.
2. Fold ends of each tube to middle; lap slightly and pin, forming bows. Layer small bow over large bow; hand baste through all layers 1/4 in. from edges. Pull up on basting thread to gather, and tie off.
3. Fold under long edges of short rectangle 3/4 in., press. Fold under one short end of folded strip and wrap strip over center of bows; trim as necessary. Hand stitch folded edge over raw edged behind bows.
4. Hot glue veil to barrette or comb, if desired. Hot glue bow to barrette or comb.

Making a Fabric Flower Comb
You Will Need

• Comb or barrette
• 1/4 yd. fabric
• About 315 pearl or crystal seed beads
• Liquid fray preventer
• Beading needle and thread hot glue gun

1. Cut 15 fabric circles, 2 1/4 in. in diameter. If fabric tends to ravel, seal edges with liquid fray preventer.
2. Fold circle in half, wrong sides together; do not press. Hand baste layers together 1/4in. from raw edge. Pull up gathers tightly, and tie off. Repeat for each circle.
3. Hand stitch gathered points of five petals together in the center, forming a flower.
4. Bring threaded beading needle up through middle of flower. String 11 to 13 beads and insert needle back down near starting point. Sew seven more loops to fill center of flower.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for two more flowers. Hot glue flowers to comb or barrette.

A circle of flowers and / or leaves that is often decorated with ribbons and bows. Wedding wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece of a decorated area, or are seen above doorways. A small wreath may also be worn by the bride atop her head, if she so wishes. It may also be referred to as a garland though there are differences.

You Will Need

• 20 gauge florist wire
• Floral tape
• Wire cutter
• 4 buttonhole loops
• Hot glue gun
• Silk floral branches with leaves
• Dried baby’s breath
• 8yd. satin ribbon, 1/4in. wide

1. Form a base as in steps 1 and 2 for making a wreath of fresh flowers.
2. Cut blossoms off floral branches, leaving 1in. or more stem. Cut leaf clusters into individual leaves, with no stem. Attach one leaf to each blossom stem by putting a dot of glue at base of leaf and wrapping base around stem .Wrap stem and leaf base with floral tape. Prepare about 15 blossoms.
3. Cut small pieces of baby’s breath, group together to form clusters, and wrap stems together with floral tape for 1in. Prepare about 30 clusters.
4. Cut about twenty 4in. lengths of ribbon. Bring ends together, wrap with floral tape for 1in., forming loop.
5. Tape flowers to base as in step 5 for making a wreath with fresh flowers. Alternate baby’s breath, blossom, baby’s breath, ribbon loop.
6. Cut and attach streamers. Fold 1 1/2yd. of ribbon into 10 loops, and secure middle of loops with wire; glue loops to base, over streamers. Cut blossoms just below base; glue over center of loops, hiding wire. Or in place of streamers and bow, hot glue veil to inside of center back.

Making a Cloud of Roses Wreath
You Will Need

• 20 gauge florist wire; wire cutter
• Floral tape
• 1/2 yd. illusion, 72in. wide
• 1/8yd. polyfleece
• 4 buttonhole loops
• 2yd. ribbon rose garland
• 2yd. satin ribbon, 1/16in. wide
• 2yd. satin ribbon 1/8in. wide
• Hot glue gun

1. Form base as in making a wreath with fresh flowers. Cut 2in. strips of polyfleece, and wrap around circle, gluing in place. Unfold net; scrunch up short width, and wrap around base, overlapping widths. Glue in place.
2. Glue ribbons of rose garland to outside of wreath in a zigzag pattern, starting and ending at center back, apply glue under rosebuds, and allow connecting ribbon to form gentle loops.
3. Cut two 1to 2in. streamers of ribbon rose garland, six 14in streamers of 1/16in ribbon. And two 14in. streamers of 1/8in ribbon. Tie knots every few inches in streamers without rosebuds. Glue tops of streamers to wreath at center back.
4. Glue cluster of remaining buds over top of streamers. Glue button loops to inside of wreath; attach bobby pins.

Garters are items of clothing worn around the thighs. They are normally just a few inches in width. They often contain small bells and/or ribbons. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were used to hold up stockings, but the advent of elastic has made them unnecessary.

The Garter Belt

Today the garter is more of a traditional custom of the western culture wedding ceremony rather than a clothing necessity. After the Bride has thrown her bouquet to a single woman, the Groom takes the garter belt from his Bride’s leg and throws it to a group of single men. The man who catches the garter then puts it on the leg of the woman who caught the Bride’s bouquet.

Garters are quick, fun and easy to sew they can be delicate or bold, usually reflecting the style of the dress.

Sew a fabric garter edged in lace, or make a garter from a width of galloon lace, which has two decorative edges. Either style can be embellished with ribbons, lace appliqués, ribbon flowers, beads and other trims.

Consider making two garters for your wedding day, one for your own keepsake and one for the ritual toss.

Making a Fabric Garter

You Will Need

• 1/4yd. fabric
• 1yd. galloon lace for edging
• Elastic, 1/2in. wide
• Small safety pin or bodkin
• Fabric glue

1. Cut fabric strip 5in. wide with length equal to 1 ½ to 2 times leg measurement. [Fullness depends on thickness of fabric]. Zigzag or serge upper edge; fold under 1in., and press. Stitch close to fold and again 3/4in. below first row of stitching, forming casing.
2. Lap lace over lower edge of fabric strip, right sides up, stitch along upper scallop of lace, using zigzag. Trim away fabric behind lace, about 1/8in. from stitching.
3. Cut elastic 1in. larger than leg measurement. Attach bodkin or safety pin to one end of elastic, thread elastic through casing. Anchor other end of elastic inside casing with stitching line, 1/4in. from fabric edge.
4. Wrap garter around leg, and adjust snugness of elastic as desired; trim away any excess elastic even with casing opening and pin.

Hair Wreaths

Grace the head with a lovely wreath made from fresh flowers, silk flowers or tulle and ribbon pose garland. Prepare o florist wire base to fit so that the wreath will rest in the desired place on top of the head. If you want to attach a veil to the back of the wreath, make the veil first to determine the base size over the veil. A fresh flower wreath can be made one or two days before the wedding. Then mist the wreath and store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Fresh Flower Suggestions

Flower

Sweetheart [ miniature ] or hybrid [large, standard ]roses, miniature carnations, and chrysanthemums [including daisy and other varieties ].

Novelties

Hypernium berries, rose hips.

Greens

Italian ruscus, plumose fern, variegated ittosporum, cedar, smilax, euonymus, eucalyptus, leather leaf fern, ivy, and camellia.

Fillers

Baby’s breath, limonium or caspia, ststice, and queen Ann’s lace.

Making a Wreath of Fresh Flowers

You Will Need

• 20 gauge florist wire
• 24 gauge florist wire
• wire cutter
• floral tape
• 4 buttonhole loops
• 20 to 40 long lasting fresh flowers
• greens and fillers
• 3yd. satin ribbon, 1/4in wide
• small wired bow
• hot glue gun

1. Wrap 20 gauge wire three times around in a circle, or desired size, twisting together slightly, for wreath base. Wrap wire circle with floral tape.
2. Glue 4 button loops, evenly spaced to inside of base, for bobby pins, wrap loop ends to base using floral tape.
3. Wrap and tape 20 to 40 flowers. Number of flowers needed depends on desired fullness and size of flowers chosen.
4. Encircle each wired flower back with pieces of filler flower, 1 ½ in. to 2in. long, join to tape flower stem using one or two wraps of floral tape. Repeat with greens, forming tight , elliptical cluster.
5. Tape first cluster to base 1in. from center back; hold flower below head and tape stem flat on to base. Tape next cluster to base, in same direction, overlapping first cluster by about 1/2in. and hiding wire base. Continue around base; avoid covering button loops. Stop taping about 1in. from first cluster. Trim off extra flower wires, taking care not to cut base.
6. Cut three 1yd. lengths of ribbon for streamers; fold in half. Hang over center back, and glue in place; trim ends to various lengths as desired. Glue wired bow over streamers. Or in place of streamers and bow, hot glue veil to inside of center back.

Headpieces and Hats

Headpieces are available in a variety of styles and may be a wire frame or a buckram form. Choose a style that is flattering to your face shape, height, head size and hairstyle and one that will work well with the style you had in mind.

Select fabric for covering the headpiece that matches the wedding gown as closely as possible. Also, select the same style of embellishments, like laces, pearls, sequins. Or ribbon roses.
Use a thick white craft glue or fabric glue for making headpieces and hats, a glue that sets quickly is easier to work with. Most embellishments, such as lace, appliqués, and pearls can be secured with glue. Pearl or flower sprays and net embellishments are best stitched in place.

Headpieces and Hats

These include buckram forms, buckram pillbox hats, buckram bun wraps and wire frames. Wide horsehair braid with a gathering cord on one side is used for covering wire frames.

Covering a Buckram Headpiece

1. Cut a bias piece of fabric 1in to 2in. larger than headpiece. Centering fabric on top of headpiece, smooth fabric down towards edges of headpiece, secure; with pins.
2. Wrap fabric to inside of headpiece and secure with glue, trimming and clipping fabric, and making small tucks for a smooth fit. Allow to dry and remove pins. Glue lace
3. Cut a length of button looping slightly longer than hair comb, glue to inside of frame near front, with loops facing back of frame. Slide teeth of comb into loops. Glue one loop of button looping to each side of headpiece and insert bobby pins. If detachable veil is desired, glue loop side of hook and loop tape to underside of headpiece where veil will be attached.
4. Cut lace motifs; apply liquid fray preventer to any cut cords on lace. Arrange lace and any additional embellishments on the headpiece as desired; secure with glue or hand stitching.
5. Apply beads and sequins if desired, using tweezers, dip bead in glue and secure.

Covering a Buckram Pillbox Hat

1. Cut fabric circle 1in. to 2in. larger than top of hat. Center fabric on top of hat, and smooth fabric over sides; secure with pins. Glue fabric at sides, near top hat, removing pins, allow to dry. Trim away any excess fabric.
2. Press pleats in bias strip of fabric, folding pleats so upper raw edge is concealed. Length of pleated strip should be distance around hat plus 1in. for overlap; width should be height of crown plus 1in. for wrapping fabric to inside of hat.
3. Glue pleated strip to crown, aligning top folded edge to top edge of hat; fold under one end and lap over other end to conceal raw edge of fabric.
4. Wrap lower edge of pleated strip to inside of hat; secure with glue. Glue lace trim over raw edge. Complete headpiece as in step three in previous instructions Embellish as desired.

Covering a Buckram Bun wrap

1. Cut bias strip of fabric 1in. wider than bun wrap form with length equal to distance around form plus 1in. for overlap. Wrap fabric around form, so it extends 1/2in. beyond each edge; pin in place. Fold over one short end of fabric , and overlap it over other end, concealing raw edge. Pin overlapped ends.
2. Fold fabric edges to inside of form; glue in place. Allow to dry and remove pins. Glue lace over raw edges of fabric.
3. Cut length of button looping equal to distance around inside of headpiece; glue to lower inside edge of headpiece, with loops facing top of headpiece. Insert bobby pins in all loops, or if desired, slide teeth of comb into front loops, inserting bobby pins in rest of loops. If a detachable veil is desired, cut a 5in. strip of hook and loop tape; glue loop strip to inside, lower center back edge, hand stitch hook strip to ceil.
4. Embellish headpiece.

Covering a Wire Frame Headpiece

1. Cut horsehair braid 2in. longer than longest side of frame. Glue uncorded edge of horsehair braid to widest outer edge of frame, applying dots of glue to frame. Secure with plastic clothespin if necessary.
2. Pull on gathering cord to shape the horsehair braid to frame. Glue horsehair braid to remaining outer edges. Allow glue to dry. Trim excess horsehair braid with wire frame at edges.
3. Cover frame with fabric, if desired. as in instructions for covering a buckram headpiece, steps 3 to 5, cover wire crosspiece with lace first, then fill in remaining areas.

Tip
To secure the headpiece to your hair, saturate strands of hair with styling gel and wind them into flat pincurls at desired anchoring spots on your head. For bobby pin attachments, slip bobby pin over pincurl. For comb attachments, wind a thicker pincurl, flatten it to your head, and anchor it with two crossed bobbypins; wedge the teeth of comb down under bobbypins.

Variations

Satin and Pearls

Create a lush arrangement of large satin flowers, available in bridal departments of fabric stores. Add tuffs of tulle and pearl sprays. Tuck the back end of wire under the hair for stability, attach a removable veil beneath the flower band, if desired.

Antique Lace and Beads

Cover the frame with ivory Aloncon lace motifs and cluster of ribbon roses. Accent the motif centers with earth tone berries, and hand stitch smaller ribbon roses to the veil in a scattered array.

Beaded Lace

Cover a tiara frame with motif cut from heavily beaded lace fabric. Attach a veil to the back wire.

Making a Cascade Veil with a Pouf

1. Determine desired height of pouf by test folding a length of net hand gather 4in. to 8in from folded edge .Position gathered net at back of headpiece; adjust height of pouf and record.
2. Cut net with length equal to combined length of each tier plus twice the height of pouf. Fold net and cut rounded corners as previous.
3. Fold net at desired height of pouf and length of upper tier, on both sides of veil, place pins at bottom of pouf on lower tier, near edges. Omit step 4 if edge finish is not desired.
4. Apply edge finish to right side of lower tier, between pin marks. Apply finish to reverse side of pouf and upper tier; when upper tier is folded over, trim will be on top side of veil. Or omit edge finish in pouf.
5. Refold veil as in step 3. Using double strand of thread, hand stitch a gathering row through both layers, with distance from folded edge equal to height of pouf.
6. Make headpiece and attach veil. Adjust pouf by separating layers of net.

Tip
Bring a storage box or bag if you plan to detach the veil for the reception. To remove only the veil, leaving the pouf attached to the headpiece, construct them as two separate pieces. Attach the pouf first with hand stitches. Attach the veil with hook and loop tape.

Making a Bouffant Veil

Measure finished length of each tier from point of attachment and add 12in. for bouffant effect. Cut net for each tier, align upper edges.

Fold net to half lengthwise. Place pin 12in. from top on cut edge. Mark gently curved line from pin to top, ending at fold. Cut along curved line.

Align bottoms of tiers, and cut rounded corners. Apply edge finish, if desired.

Hand stitch gathering row 1/4in from upper edge of net using double thread.

Make headpiece. Pull up gathering row to fit headpiece. If desired attach underpouf support. Attach veil to headpiece.

Making a Blusher Veil

1. Determine combined length of front blusher and back tier, measuring from where veil will be attached to headpiece; blusher should fall at bustline. Cut net to this length adding 6in. if an underpouf will be used.
2. Fold net in half lengthwise, then in half crosswise. Cut rounded corners. Apply edge finish if desired.
3. Hand stitch a 72in. gathering row in center portion of veil with distance front edge equal to length of blusher; this leaves equal ungathered areas at sides of veil.
4. Make headpiece. Pull up gathers to fit headpiece. Attach veil.

Tip
Experiment how you will style your hair when wearing your veil. For suggestions, take your veil to a salon. Whether you style your hair yourself or have it done professionally, testing various looks beforehand means one less decision on your wedding day.

Edge Finishes

Encase edges in bias binding for a bold tailored finish. Choose a very lightweight natural fiber fabric, like silk shantung. Which will hold a pressed edge and easily conform to curves. Make binding with a finished width of 1/4in. to 1 1/2in.; the wider the edging the bolder the look.

To estimate the number of yards of bias strip needed, add the length of the side and bottom edges of each tier and divide by 36in.. Consult the chart for an estimate of length of bias strip a square of fabric will yield.

Daintily outline the lower edge with satin rattail, #5 pearl cotton, or narrow ribbon. Or apply narrow lace edging to compliment your gown. For a soft curving look, consider a rippled edge, achieved by zigzagging or serging over fishline while stretching the veil. Select 20lb. test fishline for firm ripples.

Bias Strip Yields from 44in. Square

Making a Continuous Bias Binding Strip

1. Cut a 44in. square of fabric; trim off selvages. Mark upper and lower edges of square with tape; mark left and right edges with pins. Cut diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner.
2. Flip left triangle over vertically onto right triangle, right sides together, aligning pin marked edges; pin and stitch together, using 1/4in. seam allowance. Press seam open.
3. Mark lines across fabric parallel to long diagonal edges, with width as determined in chart.
4. Align straight grain edges, right sides together, offsetting marks by one strip width. Stitch and press open. Cut around tube on marked lines, cutting one continuous bias strip. Wrap bias strip loosely onto cardboard for easy use.
5. To attach two continuous strips, place end of strips, right sides together, as a right angle; stitch on the lengthwise grain. Trim seam to 1/4in.; press open.

Applying Bias Binding Using Sewing and Gluing Method

1. Feed bias strip into bias tape marker, using a pin to get it started. Strip will fold into binding as it is pulled through bias tape marker; press folds into place. With iron resting on binding, gently slide bias tape marker down length of strip; press, but do not stretch bias binding.
2. Press binding in half lengthwise, encasing folds. Wrap binding onto cardboard for easier handling.
3. Press shape binding to veil edge without puckering. Align raw edge of binding to edge of veil, right sides together. Stitch in well of fold.
4. Fold binding over edge of veil to wrong side, aligning top and bottom folds of binding. Dilute flexible fabric glue to spreading consistency. Working in small sections, slip paper towel under raw edge of binding; lightly brush glue onto binding. Reposition and finger press in place.

Applying Bias Binding Using Sewing Method

1. Follow step one previous. Press binding in half lengthwise, encasing folds, offsetting one edge by 1/8in. Wrap binding onto cardboard for easier handling.
2. Press shape binding to fit veil edge without puckering, with shorter fold on right side. Align raw edge of short side of binding to raw edge of veil, right sides together.
3. Fold wider side of binding over edge of veil to wrong side. Stitch in the ditch from wrong side, catching the binding on the back of veil.

Sewing a Rippled Edge by Conventional Machine

1. Set machine for narrow zigzag stitch. Attach cording foot if available. At top edge of veil, place fishline 1/2in. from veil edge, leaving a long tail.
2. Stitch over fishline, stretching veil as you stitch, overlapping ends. Trim veil close to stitching, do not cut fishline from reel.
3. Spread veil over fishline, rippling veil as desired; work from center toward ends. Seal ends with liquid fray preventer, trim fishline.
   1. Adjust serger for rolled hem stitch ,attach gimp foot if available. Insert fishline through gimp foot [or under back and over front of regular presser foot]; leave long tail. Stitch over fishline about 4 in.
   2. Place veil under presser foot 1/2in. from edge, stitch, trimming excess veil and keeping fishline between needle and knives, if using regular presser foot.
   3. Stitch over fishline 4in at end; do not cut fishline from reel. Follow step 3 previous.
   1. Thread machine with monofilament nylon thread in the top end bobbin. Set machine for zigzag stitch, just wide enough to pass over desired trim. Position rattail or pearl cotton1/2in. from edge of veil. Stitch over rattail or pearl cotton; overlap ends, and seal them with glue. Trim veil close to stitching.
   1. Place ribbon or lace 1.2in. from edge of veil. Stitch, using straight or zigzag stitch; overlap ends. Trim veil close to stitching.

Sewing a Rippled Edge by Serger

Sewing a Satin Rattail or Pearl Cotton Edge

Sewing a Ribbon or Lace Edge

Tip
Place an emergency kit to take with you to the room where you will dress for the wedding. Include items such as safety pins, needle and thread, bobby pins, double sided tape, makeup, hairspray, and extra hosiery.

Our daughter dreamed about her perfect wedding. She and her financé talked about how they wanted their wedding to occur. They wished to be married on the beach in Hawaii. Finally, they discussed their desire with my husband and me. We wanted them to have their dream, so we explored possibilities for making it come true.

My husband and I owned timeshare points we could use almost anywhere in the world. We realized we had enough points to provide three condos for a week at one of the resorts in Maui. So we booked the units for the time the couple chose as their wedding date. We were so excited to be able to give them a Maui wedding and honeymoon. The groom’s parents would occupy one condo. The young couple and my husband and I would stay in the other two units. Now we had the accommodations in place.

As part of their wedding gift, we provided airline tickets to Maui. We booked the tickets together so we could all fly on the same plane. As the departure date got close, we all became more and more excited. Finally, the day arrived. We all boarded the airplane with visions of Maui in our heads. I’ll never forget the looks on the young couples’ faces as they viewed the shores of the island from the air for the first time. Both sets of parents were excited by their happiness and elation.

After we landed in Maui, we received the traditional island greeting as we were presented with leis. Then it was off to the car rental area. We surprised the couple with a convertible for their stay on the island. Unfortunately, when it rained, there were minor leaks in the roof of the car and they got a little wet. But they were so happy to be on Maui at last they didn’t seem to mind it much.

We all settled in our condos. After that, we met on the beach to have cocktails and enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore. It was as if we had landed in paradise. We had already contacted the people that plan weddings on the island, so we checked with them to see how events were progressing.

Because of recent rains, the ocean was covering a good portion of the beach. So the wedding planners suggested that the couple be married near the seawall in a lush rainforest garden on the premises of the resort. We could see and hear the ocean from our vantage point. My husband walked our daughter down the garden path toward her waiting groom. The wedding was beautiful and we all cried with joy and pride. My husband and I were overwhelmed with happiness at providing a dream wedding for our children. I still watch the wedding video and I still get tears in my eyes when I see it.