Advice : Wedding, Marriage, Engagement, Anniversary

Headbands are a simple way to accessorize young bridesmaids or flower girls. Moiré, taffeta, shantung, satin and linen make nice coverings for a padded headband that will be embellished with silk ribbon embroidery. For other embellishments, such as ribbon roses, you can either cover the headband in fabric to match the dress or purchase a padded one. For the reception, kick back a little and exchange the more formal veil for a lighter, fun version, such as a decorated cap, which goes well with the dancing sneakers.

Follow steps 2 to 4 for fabric flowers, using 5in. circles and gold beads. Hand stitch the flowers to the cap, and stitch a short veil if desired.

Making a Headband with Silk Ribbon Embroidery

You Will Need

• Fabric
• Plastic headband form
• Polyurethane foam ¼ in. to 1/2in. thick
• Embroidery hoop
• 1/2 yd. ribbon or flat trim, slightly narrower than headband
• Chenille needles, sizes 18 and 20
• Beading needle
• 4mm. and 7mm. silk embroidery ribbon
• 38 bugle beads
• 18 glass pearl seed beads
• Craft glue

1. Spread thin layer of glue on outside of headband, secure strip of polyurethane foam. If using 1/2in, foam, trim foam 1/2in. shorter than ends. Clamp ends of foam with clothespins until glue dries.
2. Mark 3in. x 23in. rectangle on bias of fabric. Secure fabric in embroidery hoop.
3. Embroider two 1in. spider web roses in center of strip, using 18in. chenille needle and 7mm. silk embroidery ribbon. With beading needle and double thread, stitch three groups of three bugle beads around each rose, stitching through each bead twice.
4. Embroider remaining roses, using size 20 chenille needle and 4mm silk embroidery ribbon. To left and right of center roses, embroider 3/4in. spider web rose, stitch a group of three bugle beads and three groups of three seed beads around each rose. Embroider 1/2in. spider web rose next to each 3/4in. rose. Stitch seven bugle beads in a chevron pattern to finish off design.
5. Remove fabric from hoop; cut out rectangle. Center rectangle on headband; hold in place with straight pins. Trim fabric so edges extend one half the widths of the headband; round ends about 1/8in. beyond headband. Clip fabric at ends, and glue to inside of headband.
6. Glue one long edge of fabric to inside of headband; applying glue to headband; work in sections keeping fabric smooth. Repeat for opposite side, remove pins.
7. Glue ribbon or flat trim over raw edges on inside of headband; turn under ends. If veil will be used, attach.

Making a Headband with Concertina Roses

You Will Need

• Purchased padded headband
• 72in. of satin ribbon, 3/8in. or 1/2in.wide for six roses
• 15in. satin ribbon,3/8in. wide for leaves
• Hot glue gun

1. Cut ribbon into six 12in. lengths, for roses. Cut ribbon into six 2 1/2in. lengths, for leaves.
2. Fold rose ribbon under diagonally at center, forming right angle. Turn the end that is underneath back over the center. Repeat with other end. Continue folding alternate ends back over previous folds, forming square stack. Stop when ends are 1in. long.
3. Turn stack over. Hold only the two ends, and release the stack. Holding ends securely, but loosely enough so they can slide, pull one end gently. A rose sill form. Stop pulling when the excess ribbon is pulled out and the center of the rose sinks in,
4. Hand stitch through the back of the rose to hold all layers firmly in place. Trim off the ribbon ends.
5. Fold each leaf ribbon into two loops, hand stitch to back of roses.
6. Make five more roses. Ho glue roses to headband, spaced evenly. Attach veil if using.

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.

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.