Being a seamtress for many years and making costumes for community theater for years, it was only fitting that I make something for my only daughters wedding. Since they decided to get married only 8 months after they were engaged I knew I would not have the time to sew a wedding gown for her and do all the preperations for the wedding at the same time. So it was decided I would make her wedding veil. After she decided on her dress, I went straight to working on her veil. I started by making the lace with my Embroidery Machine, onto Ivory Crystal Tulle. Then I handsewn all the Swarovski Pearls and Bugle beads. When finished with the sewing I hot waxed on the Swarovski Crystals. It took me a total of two months to finish the veil, but it was well worth the eye straining and sore neck to see the look on my daughter Heather Rose’s face when she saw it. And even though I am her mother, I thought it looked beautiful on her. Now I am looking forward to making clothes for my future grandchildren.
What an accomplishment! It's absolutely gorgeous. You have created an heirloom that will no doubt be passed on for generations. Well worth a little eye strain. Well done you!
Dear ElizaDolittle,
Thank you so much, and to top it off I just got some great news last night, I am going to be a "GRANDMOTHER" in October. My first Grandbaby, my husband and I are so excited. Sewing machine here I come....
Oooh, Aaah. Congratulations! Beautiful work. I can't wait to see your grandchild's presentation or christening gown. Many Blessings.
Wow, what wonderful work! To make that lace yourself!
I sewed my wife's wedding gown and veil when we got married 26 years ago, and I still remember it well enough to know that it's a *TON* of work (and to know that I would never want to do that again! :) ).
And congrats on soon being a grandparent!
any chance you'd share where you got the lace embroidery design and its name? It's stunningly beautiful!
That is so beautiful. I was wondering if you used a special stabilizer to keep the tulle firm. It has a lovely Spanish style to it. Wonderful work.
Thank you all for the nice comments. The lace pattern I used is from Amazing Designs "Lace Collection I". The stabilizer I used is the Sulky Heavy Duty Water Soluble, and Sulky Super Solvy Water Soluble. I would put the Heavy Duty in my hoop and spray with the Sulky adheasive, lay my tulle, spray again and top with the Super Solvy. When I was finished with the length of lace I needed, I then put it in water. I would suggest you soak the lace at least a half hour and change the water at least 5 times. The Sulky Heavy Duty was not that easy to dissolve and if there was any resisdue from it, the lace would get very hard. After the lace was dry, I trimmed the extra tulle on the outsides edges, and then preceeded to do all the sewing of the pearls and bugle beads. When finished I then hand sewed the lace onto the veil. I added the hot waxed Swarovski Crystals last to help connect the center of the lace with the veil, to give it a more stable one piece look. I then trimmed the bottom edge of the veil to the shape of the lace. I am sure there may have been alot of new shortcuts to take, but I was doing this for the first time without any directions to follow, and I wanted it to look perfect for her.
The veil is absolutely beautiful! You were brave to tackle making your own lace--I'd never try that! It is beyond words the thrill a mom has to have the pleasure of sewing for a daughter (in my case a DIL) for her wedding day!
its precious, priceless, i am more than sure your daughter will treasure that. i hope to have that same honor one day for my daughters
What an exquisite veil! It is almost as pretty as the model. I know that her wedding was doubly special because of that contribution. Have fun with the grandmother's hope chest!
I am wonderin if you used plastic clear thread or cotton thread when hand sewing the crystals onto the veil?
The thread I used for the pearls and bugle beads was the same thread I used in making the Lace, Coasts & Clark 40 WT. 100% Trilobal Polyester.
I would like to Thank everyone again for all your wonderful comments on the Veil. I am now in the process of working on some cute baby ideas, for both a boy or girl since my daughter decided she would rathr wait till the baby is born to find out it's gender.
EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL;take a bow, TADELM 5140! Great pictures too; your daughter looks gorgeous!
I don't suppose you have a closeup picture of the lace and beading? I'd love to see it up close.