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!

Is this normal? Question about new hot roller set

Hi my wonderful dears, just a quick question as the mister and I are heading out momentarily. I’ve been getting ready (hair, make-up, etc) to go and decided that I want to add a dose of curl to my (naturally) straight-as-an-arrow hair, so, after reading the instruction pamphlet and removing any packaging, I decided to plug in a new set of hair rollers that I recently picked up at Shoppers Drug Mart (a Canadian drug store chain).

I’d been wanting a set for ages, especially since I know some of you vintage loving gals have spoken highly of the merits of hot rollers. So having saved up enough “Shoppers Optimum” bonus points from prior purchases to be able to get a set for free (it took ages to save enough!), I recently grabbed the only version (“Solutions” by Vidal Sassoon) that the (fairly large) location I was at had on the shelf. (I couldn’t find an image of the exact model I have online, but did come across this one which looks extrememly similar.)

Today I plugged my set in for the first time and had barely had it on for two minutes when I began to notice a smell (sort of chemically) emanating from the unit. It wasn’t overpowering or enough for my husband, who was in another room, to detect from where he was, but I could definitely smell something (and not just that “hot” metallic smell that curling and flat irons sometimes get while they’re heating up). A few seconds later I thought I saw a teeny whiff of smoke, so I immediately unplugged the unit. As far as I can see it (the unit) looks entirely normal and it certainly did not feel overly warm (the instructions said to plug it in for ten minutes before using and there’s no way I’d had it on for any more than three minutes), so I was a bit baffled as to why it might smell.

I’ve never owned a set of hot rollers before and have no prior experience with them, so my question to all of you who’ve used this kind of styling product is, is it normal for your hot roller unit to smell the first time you plug it and heat it up?


{Just longing for soft vintage curls like the ones Ann Sothern sports here, I’m not trying to start a five alarm blaze with my new hot roller set! Gorgeous image via Myvintagevogue’s Flickr stream.}


As we’ve got to get going in a matter of minutes, I just turned off and unplugged the unit and figured I’d ask my question before attempting to heat up the set of hot rollers up a second time. (I looked all over the box and through the instructions, but could not find a 1-800 number anywhere to call and ask the manufacturer directly.)

I don’t want to risk starting a fire, so before I try turning my hot roller set on again, is it normal for them to emit a bit of an odour the first time or do I have a defective unit that should be returned?

Huge thanks in advance for your thoughts and insight on this matter, everyone. I hope you’re each having a marvelous Sunday evening!

Pretty Link Roundup {June 7th}

I keep odd hours. I’m a night owl and I admit it. Always have been, likely always will be. Almost romantically I sometimes like to think that my penchant for the wee hours of the morn hearkens back to the fact that I was born at night, thus setting my internal clock to a PM schedule from day one. Whether there is any merit to this notion or not, is really anybody's guess.

There’s a serenity that befalls the night in which I often find my mind feels sharper, more invigorated – fine-tuned even. As such I often work, write and do all manner of productive tasks while a lot of the world is getting their beauty rest. Though this can mean I’m short on sleep at times, I rarely mind. I’d take feeling alert at 3am and a little sleepily at 3pm to never feeling entirely recharged just about any day.


{Like these studious ladies from the 1950s, I often read – be it books or blogs – at night. Photo via UMW Centennial’s Flickr stream.}

At the moment there’s a wide, curvaceous moon poking out from behind some concrete hued clouds as I put together this Pretty Link Roundup (which spans two weeks, as I missed posting one last weekend due to the fact I had family in town). It's sweetly enchanting and, unlike the sun, can be stared at safely for as long as I wish ;)

While beauty abounds in the night sky, it also runs rampant through the blogsphere! This week I’ve corralled a number of diverse links that span everything from summer hats to a modern line of vintage inspired workout wear. Also be sure to check out this week’s video clip – or should I say two clips – both care of vintage beauty maven Casey (of Casey’s Elegant Musings).


* Recession fashion - 1930s: Roslyn takes a look at the fashions that recessionistas of the 1930s were sporting.

* That Perfect Arch: Few techniques in the make-up world can so quickly define the look of an era as the eyebrow. In this post MissRedLips delves into what makes for a perfectly arched eyebrow and how you can achieve a pair for yourself.

* 1940s Trousers: I’m not sure about you, but I often feel like I need a fair bit of inspiration and style guidance when it comes to getting the look of vintage trousers right. Thankfully posts like this one that are full of pants wearing gals are there to help! If vintage shorts tickle your fancy too, drop by this article from Retro Ways on the subject.

* Sweaty Betty: Over on The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife I read what has to be the first blog post on the subject of workout wear that made me squeal with excitement. Seems a clever gal called Jessie Pavia has decided to produce a line of vintage/Rockabilly inspired exercise clothing under the brand name Box Wine Betty. This cool new line will be available soon, and you better believe I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled to see more of their products!

* Interspace - A vintage interior (redux): Thoroughly handy tips to help you master your own personal retro/vintage interior design style.

* The Pros and Cons of Vintage Fashion Shopping By Location: The title of this handy post does a fab job of explaining what it’s about, but I’ll add that not only are numerous pros and cons listed, they’re laid out so as to correspond with various categories of vintage/second hand shopping such as estate sales, consignment stores and flea markets.

* 8 Beautiful Summer Hats: With the warm weather barreling down on us, now is the time to ensure you’re ready to face the sun’s rays head-on with a lovely (vintage) summer hat.

* Art Deco & Flapper Era Faces, Figures and Fashions: A wonderful gathering of vintage pieces for the art deco and flapper era fan to browse and admire.

* Boho Starlets: While boho (short for bohemian) has been a fashion buzz word and popular style for numerous seasons now, its roots actually stretch much further back, as this lovely photo filled article shows.

* Evolution of the household 1950 to today: Women’s Day magazine takes a gander at the price of everyday items, homes, and wages, as well as other related statics, from every decade between now and the 1950s.

* Barbie make-up tutorial: Featuring a lipstick shade that is not too far off from that one that I recently mentioned liking, this tutorial style post – complete with absolutely gorgeous photos – shows you how to create an old school inspired Barbie make-up look.

* Working on the land: No matter what they were doing, however much drudgery was involved with the job, I’m always struck by the underlying element of beauty and grace that seems to have prevailed through women of the WW2 era, as evident by the hairstyles in these photos of female farmers (or these workers that were featured in Life magazine).

* Vintage Scarf Blog: I just discovered this blog devoted entirely to the sale and subject of vintage scarves a few hours ago and wanted to share it with you all. Vintage scarves are a marvelous way to add colour and style any outfit and it never hurts to have another spot to source them from!

I hope you enjoy this week's selection of two wonderful clips featuring timelessly gorgeous “girl next door” vintage style make-up, that accompany this extremely handy article on the subject.


{Girl Next Door Make Up pt.1}



{Girl Next Door Make Up pt.2}



Before the morning breaks I think I’ll have a very light late supper (I’ve been craving unbuttered popcorn with a hint of salt and a crisp Red Delicious apple for three days, so that’s probably what I'll grab from the kitchen) and schedule this post to appear more towards noon, when I’m sure far more of you will be awake! (Are there any other fellow night owls amongst my lovely readers?)


{I’m off to rustle up a quick nibble before calling it a night - wish my apples were situated in a crate with a label this adorable on it! Darling vintage label from the pages of *julia’s terrific Flickr stream.}


I hope that you're each doing really well, and that you have a serene and joyful Sunday!

Snip, snip, snip, went the hair

♪ Zing, zing, zing, went my heart-strings! ♪


{Charming Swiss hair salon shop sign, discovered via Dom Dada’s Flickr stream.}

Last Friday after popping by the bank, I headed across the street (albeit to a budget-friendly chain type of place) to get myself a ridiculously long overdue hair. I can’t even muster up the courage to admit how long it’s been since my last one, but definitely more than a year. I wasn’t procrastinating in the “just haven’t been bothered to get around to it sense”, but I will admit to delaying the inevitable due to a chronic tailbone problem I have that makes sitting extremely painful. Sadly that means that even the most simple of things like enjoying a meal at a restaurant or sitting in the hairdresser’s chair can be a huge challenge that I need to plan in advance for.

Yet my hair, straight as a rod, fine as a newborn baby’s and thin (aka, there isn’t a lot of it), simply does not have the natural density and volume to pull off bra strap or waist length styles, love the notion of Rapunzel/Jane Seymour like styles as I do.

By sheer luck I picked a good time of the day (noon) to hit the salon, as soon as I walked in I was whisked over to a stylist and my hair was being shampooed in no time. The stylist, who I’ll call “K” was a friendly middle aged woman who seemed to have an uncanny ability to know things about my hair.

“It’s been a long time since your last cut, hasn’t it?” she asked, her fingers flying through my sudsy hair. To which I couldn’t bring myself to cop to how long it really had been and gave the vague answer of “several months”.

Later on she said rather point blank, “You’re hair is thinning, isn’t it?” This is absolutely true; since I was 14 years old my hair has been falling out in disturbing quantities. I’ve sought medical advice, had tests run, tried increasing various vitamin intake levels, but nothing has helped and doctors just seem to shrug and say produce the favourite cop-out of medical practitioners everywhere, “it must be genetics”. Perhaps, but I wish there was so way to know for sure!

Granted working with and understanding the mechanics of hair is her job though, so she really wasn’t getting all Derren Brown about what lays atop my scalp ;) It was just nice to have someone who seemed to understand my hair for once, as I’ve had a really lousy string of hair dressers – and some awful cuts – over the years.

Once shampooed, we discussed how short I wanted to go and I explained that I wanted to still be able to pull it back (how many times have we all heard that now on reality make-over shows, it sounds almost cliché to say at this point) and that being able to curl it, especially in pin curls and hot rollers, was of the utmost importance to me. K proceeded to lop off a good four inches (perhaps more), which brought my hair up to my shoulder blades. She then worked in some layers (I’ve been getting layered cuts for years, but my layers had all but grown out and were in dire need of reviving), blew dry it and rubbed in a palm-ful of volumizing lotion.

The whole experience went much quicker than I’d been dreading it would and I was out of the salon in under half an hour, giddy with my new cut and wishing I’d taken the plunge – or should I say “cut” – ages ago.


{Delightful vintage illustration of a stylish lady getting her hair done. Image care of Kitschy Kitschy Coo’s awesome blog.}

Since then I’ve washed it three times (I generally wash my hair every other day, opting for a shower cap the other days), worn it down, partially pulled up, and in a sort of deconstructed victory roll style. On Monday I picked up some pin curl clips and a rat tail comb (both Goody brand http://www.goody.com/) at the drug store (I was also looking for perm papers, which are useful when doing pin curls to help tuck the ends of the hair sections into the curl with, but it seems that drug stores and even Trade Secrets, which I also checked, do not sell them these days, home perms having gone the way of the dinosaur), and I think these tools will make pin curls significantly easier to do then how I’ve been working them thus far, which was with a brush and bobby pins.

I’m not a pin curl expert though and have never attempted them on shorter hair, but I plan to do so soon. It might take a few attempts, but I don’t mind at all. I’m so pleased as punch with the length of my hair right now, that I find myself looking in the mirror more often and actually smiling!

Last Saturday I posted a helpful pin curl instructional video by Lisa Freemont Street, but thought that I’d share some more of my favourite pin curl how-to clips, produced by ladies far more talented than I am in this arena and from whom I’m hoping I will be able to become a pin curling extrodinare.


{From the uber talented Super Kawaii Mama comes an awesome, straight forward, very easy to follow video entitled “Perfect Pin curls”. If you haven’t done so already, I highly encourage you to follow her Youtube Channel, it’s bursting with helpful vintage styling related clips.}



{The lovely Amanda of MistiqueMake-up shows you how to do flat pin curls, which as she points out, can be a lot easier to sleep in overnight than “upright” or “standing” pin curls. After checking out that clip, be sure to see her video “Styling ideas for pin curled hair”.}



{I love this pin curls for beginners instructional video from Strawberry Koi and have watched several times before. Now it takes on a new meaning to me though, as her hair is very similar in length to my own now. I whole heartedly recommend all of Strawberry Koi's videos, and love her gentle voice and thorough manner of teaching things in a very easy to follow manner.}

In my nearly 25 years of life on this rock, I’ve never had a hair cut that I was more pleased with – and there’s no way I’ll ever go so long again without a trim. As this experience proved, sometimes enduring a bit pain in the name of style is worth a huge gain!


{Yikes, now that that looks rough! Photo of a woman getting a cold set perm from Donna Lethal’s Flickr stream.}

Do you love/hate your hair? Have any stories of trips to the beauty parlor that put a smile on your face?