4.9 how can I make a gothic veil?

From: Trystan L. Bass
This is for a basic veil that hangs over both the face and back. It's not exceedingly long, just nipple-length in front and mid-back length.

Materials:

• 2-3 yards of tulle netting (I prefer the really fine, soft netting because it drapes beautifully & isn't scratchy. You can also use lace, but make sure you can see thru it)
• 3 or 5 medium to large silk roses (Go for the ones in the bridal section of the craft/fabric store, instead of the ones w/long stems; it just makes it a bit easier. Also, odd numbers work best IMO; it makes a pretty center spot ;-)
• 1 large hair barrette or comb (A barrette will be easier if you are gluing; for sewing, use either one. If using a barrette, get the spring-loaded kind; they have more height and more space to attach things than the flat clippy kind)
• sharp scissors and straight pins

• either -- hot glue & a glue gun
• or -- sewing needle & thread (Either clear 'invisible' thread or thread to match your veiling & roses)

1. If you like, you can cut the edges of the tulle into jagged points or scallops or use pinking shears on them. Or just leave a straight edge.
2. Find the center of the piece of tulle. Then mark a point that is about 12 inches from this center towards either of the short ends -- this will make the veil longer in the back than the front. Mark this point with your fingers, a pin, or tailor's chalk.
3. Start from each of the long edges at points parallel to the marked point. Loosely pleat or gather the tulle from these edge points in towards the middle point. Pleat or gather until all the tulle will fit onto the length of your hair barrette/comb barrette. Use pins to hold these pleats/gathers together. Set the tulle aside for now.
4. Take the silk roses and arrange them closely in a tight row, like a little crown. Twist the wire stems together firmly. Your crown of roses will probably overhang the hair barrette/comb a little (if it overhangs a lot, twist the stems together more closely). Set the roses aside for now.
5. Get your hot glue gun ready. Take the barrette/comb and the tulle, and glue the tulle on top of the barrette/comb. Don't use a ton of glue, just enough to attach it firmly. You don't want big globs of glue seeping up thru the tulle (a little will seep, but it can be covered by the roses). Let this dry and cool off. OR sew the tulle to the barrette/comb, going around the top part of the barrette/comb (making sure not to catch the thread on the claspy part of the barette) and through the tulle. The more stitches you use, the more secure the veil will be.
6. Now take the rose crown and glue it on top of the tulle and barrette/comb combo. It will look tidier if you set the stem portions in the glue more than the flower portion. Let this dry and cool off. OR sew the roses to the barrette/comb, carefully stitching close to the stem & flower junction. You might want to sew thru the bottom petals of the flower a little bit too. I usually use both sewing and glue for the flowers, because of their awkward shape.

That's it! You've got a basic gothy veil!

Variations:

Back-Hanging Veil
This veil only hangs down your back and does not cover your face at all. Materials are all the same as above, except you'll only need 1-2 yards of tulle. Simply skip step 2 above. On step 3, start at one edge of the tulle and pleat or gather it to fit the barrette/comb. Follow the rest of the steps as indicated.

Fuller Veil
This can be applied to either the front & back veil or the back only veil.

You'll need about 6 yards of tulle. Cut the tulle across the width so that one piece is about 1 yard long, a second piece is 2 yards long, a third piece is 3 yards long (these measurements can vary -- get more tulle and make each one longer if you like). Stack the three pieces of tulle on top of each other, smallest to largest.

If you are making a front & back hanging veil, arrange the stacked pieces of tulle so that they are centered on top of each other. If you are making a back-hanging veil, arrange the pieces of tulle so that one short edge of all pieces meet up (so the other end is graduated).

From this point, put the veil together the same as above. For an even fuller veil, add more layers of tulle.

More Veil Treatments

• Use tulle and roses in different colors, like a red veil with black flowers or purple flowers on a black veil or white and black flowers on a black veil.
• Use a headband instead of a barrette/comb. This will give you more space for more silk roses, silk leaves, beading, charms, buttons, bows, etc. Assembly is the same as with a barrette/comb.
• Use *a lot* of layers of tulle (6 or more) for a super-puffy veil.
• Attach tiny ribbon roses or fake gems or dab small spots of glitter paint thruout the tulle.
• Layer tulle with lace for a textured look.
• Add ribbon streamers along the barrette/comb/headband.
• Add ribbon streamers and attach beads or tiny bells at the end of the streamers.
• Attach a necklace to the barrette/comb so that the necklace drapes over your forehead (this only works with back-hanging veils). Use chain, beads, ribbon, lace, or anything else suitably drapey for the necklace. Add a pretty charm at the center of the necklace so it dangles between and above your eyes.
• Hem the tulle edges with satin ribbon. Fold the ribbon over the tulle edge and sew (you might be able to do this w/glue, but it can look messier and will be more difficult).
• Cut the tulle edges into long points and attach beads or tiny bells at the end of the points.
• Make your own roses out of silk, chiffon, or velvet.

back to 4.8 make a fishnet shirt or gloves or
on to 4.10 make a parasol

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