November 27, 2015

DIY photo tutorial: How to make a beautiful birdcage veil


Hello everyone! My name is Bianca and I run The Closet Historian, a fashion, costume history and lifestyle blog. It's great to be here on Chronically Vintage, I feel super honored that Jessica has asked me to do a guest blog post for you all while she's on a well deserved getaway to Vancouver! As an avid seamstress and crafter, I decided I would share a quick and easy (but rather glamorous) DIY project with you all!




One of my favorite vintage style accessories has to be the birdcage veil. Though they have reemerged in bridal fashion, often in white or ivory, I am surprised more people haven't started slipping them on for cocktail hour. Nothing adds so much vintage glamour so very quickly, except perhaps a swipe of red lipstick!




I really like wearing veils (or veiled hats) on the regular. Luckily, unlike some vintage trends that are hard to re-create, this one takes only minutes once you have gathered the correct supplies!


To do so, you will need:

- A needle and thread (in a color to match your netting)

- Scissors

- Two bobby pins

- At least a half yard of veiling (also called French netting or Russian netting). This is actually easier to acquire these days than you would think, as vintage has become so much more popular. It is readily available online through places like etsy, if you don't happen have any specialty fabric or millinery stores nearby.

Veiling comes in several widths, and for this quick little veil I would recommend 5-9" inch veiling. Of course you could always buy a larger width and cut it down to size, as veiling will not unravel or fray.




Once you have gathered your supplies, cut your length of veiling to anywhere between 10" and 14" inches long, the length will decide how far around the sides of your head (and towards the back) your finished veil will reach. I cut mine for this example at around 13" inches.

Cut around an forearms length of thread (longer threads get tangled too easily!) and double thread your needle (aka, tie the ends of the thread together creating a large loop containing the needle).







Each of the two short sides of the veiling will be gathered, wrapped, and a loop formed for a bobby pin. This is done by weaving the needle over and under the diamonds of the netting at about an inch inward from the cut edge and then pulling the thread tight. Wrap the thread around the gathered netting several times and knot to secure.

Then fold the extra edges of netting back towards the body of the veil and secure again by wrapping and knotting the thread. After you have everything secure with knots, carefully cut off your extra thread. You can then slip a bobby pin through the small loop of netting you created.




All you have left to do is repeat the same steps on the other side of the veil and presto you are finished! You can also embellish your finished veil by gluing on sequins or tiny rhinestones for extra sparkle if you feel like it.




It will look like this when it is finished and ready to be worn. Though veiling can be sewn onto hats themselves, you can also wear a veil like this one separately underneath or over a hat for an extra touch of vintage pizzazz! Creating a larger veil is still simple but requires buying a wider width of veiling and cutting it into an angled shape (see graphic below) before gathering the edges. For these longer veils, a gathering stitch is run along the entire side and top edge, from the bottom of one side to the other.

Instead of pulling the thread tightly and wrapping like you would for the smaller veil, leave about 6" inched of thread to play with before you secure the knot. You will then be able to move the netting along the thread to get the right volume and shape when you put the veil over your head.




Though making a veil really is a quick and simple DIY, they are so fun to have in your accessories stash to pop on whenever a little extra vintage glamour is needed – plus they’re a perfect craft for those who may want to dip their toes into creating millinery related projects.

I want to thank Jessica again for asking me to pen a post for you all, she really is just the sweetest blogger I know! If only everyone online was as generous and kind as she! If you are interested in more vintage inspired DIY's and sewing, please feel free to visit me over on The Closet Historian. Thank you for reading and have a lovely day!


35 comments:

  1. The blog of Bianca is beautiful like her clothes! This tutorial is very interesting, with Jessica! I want to try!

    kisses

    serena

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    1. It truly is, I completely agree. Bianca has sublime styling and such a deeply rooted passion for the past. I'm a huge fan of her site, outfits, and everything she shares with us.

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Serena dear.

      Big hugs from Vancouver (where Tony and I are visiting this week),
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Big thanks and virtual hugs to both of you! <3

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  2. Hello Bianca,

    There is something do charming about veils. I love how simple this veil is - even I could make it. Thank you.

    I stopped by your blog; it looks very interesting. I plan on visiting it again soon and will leave a comment for you there.

    YES! Jessica is amazing. Actually, the very reason I longed on this morning was that I was thinking of her as I had my morning coffee on my front porch, and I wanted to tell her how much she means to me. She is absolutely lovable!

    So nice to meet you, Bianca
    :) Hope.

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    1. Sweet Hope, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredibly touching (I swear, I'm blushing right now) and beautiful comment. It has brightened my week and put me in the merriest of moods. You're a dear, wonderful person, too, and I'm so happy that the web led our paths to cross - and again, that you've returned to blogging this autumn.

      Huge hugs & my sincerest of thanks,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Thank you Hope! And thanks for stopping by my blog too <3

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  3. That's pretty cool Jessica - looks so simple - I always imagined this being so very intricate...

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    1. You'd really think so, eh? Bianca breaks down the steps and shows us how easy it is here, and I completely appreciate that. I've never dabbled in millinery work myself, but I totally want to try making one of these classic veils now, too.

      Big hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. so cute!!!
    and bianca is such a beauty!!!
    xxxxx

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    1. Agreed on both counts! She is such a gorgeous lady, with a heart of gold and an amazing fashion sense both to boot.

      Oodles of hugs & happy last weekend of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Thank you both! Your are too kind <3

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  5. What a beautiful and effective, yet simple, idea.

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  6. Very pretty and effective, yet simple. A great idea well demonstrated. I may have a go!

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    1. Isn't it though? Bianca has such a great knack for explaining and detailing how to create projects. She's shared numerous others on her blog over the years and each time she makes me feel like I could create them easily, which is the mark of a crafting teacher, IMO.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Samantha. I hope that you're having a great tail end of November.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. It is definitely a lot of glamour for not very much work, best of luck rocking the veil! :)

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  7. Such a fabulous idea! Please visit and follow the new blog!
    http://balea-raitz.com/i-am-surely-no-eve-sinful-apple/#comment-5

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  8. What a super tutorial, and so easy peasy too (well, it sounds that way, I haven't tried it yet!). Really clear instructions too, thank you Bianca!! xx

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    1. Aren't they though? Bianca has a fantastic knack for explaining and detailing tutorials in an easy-to-follow, straightforward manner that instills instant confidence in you as you read her instructions.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a great last day of November!
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Thanks Porcelina! It really is super easy, and very fun to wear as no one really wears veiling anymore!

      and thank you Jessica, you're making me blush over here <3

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  9. Great tutorial - I'm hopeless at following these things but those with skills will surely find the instructions lovely and straightforward! I love the look of the veil on its own like that - wonderfully pretty x

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  10. Im not at all crafty but what a cool project
    retro rover

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  11. Hello Jessica :)

    Every time I go to your blog I learn something new! Awesome tutorial, it looks so easy :) I have to try this,

    Thank you ***

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    1. What a heartwarmingly sweet, thoughtful comment, dear Narcissa. You're immensely welcome and I really hope that continues to ring true for you for as long as you pay my site a visit (which I'm delighted that you do).

      Big hugs & joyful wishes for December!
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Wonderful post! Thank you so much for having Bianca share this with us. I happen to have some Russian netting left over from my wedding veil, and I really want to try making my own now as soon as I can!

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    1. Ooohhh, what a great way to use up some of your leftover wedding veil netting. I'm sure that would turn out beautifully!

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. WOW! that is super easy. I am so excited to take a swing at this, I 've been wanting t sport the veil for ages.

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    1. Awesome! I hope that it goes wonderfully for you. Veils rock! I have numerous vintage hats with them and just love the classic sophistication they lend to any outfit.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!
    I think i have been searching for this for years!
    THANK YOU LADIES!

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  15. Elegant and easy - what's not to love. Thank, Bianca, for sharing this little DIY treasure. :)

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  16. I always enjoy Bianca's tutorials, they are so clear and well explained and put together.

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    1. They really are. Bianca would be an excellent DIY book author or YouTube channel creator. She has such a great knack for breaking down and clearly explaining the steps involved with any craft project she shares.

      Big hugs & many thanks for all of your lovely blog comments this week,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. You are spot on, Bianca should totally do that!

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    3. Aw you both are making me blush! Thank you! One day perhaps, YouTube is definitely coming as soon as I can upgrade my computer and get some software!

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