diy veil: stupid tulle!!!

It may not be possible, but be sure you're using REALLY sharp scissors. If you haven't done so, it might help to pin the tulle to tissue paper to help keep it from slipping. Also, I've found I need to cut very slowly to help prevent "chopped-looking" edges -- even with brand new tulle. Good luck!

With sewing in general, I was taught that, depending on the material, you either always iron or steam it before working with it or cutting. I would double check because I have never sewn with tulle before, but I believe it needs to be steamed and not touch any hot surface or iron to get wrinkle out and get it super smooth it from what I remember being taught.

Are you using fabric sheers or regular scissors and how sharp are they? Working with a dull scissors no matter what you are cutting in my experience makes it a hundred times harder and more frustrating!

Hopefully one of those points help. I am sure you are going to rock that veil when you get it made :-)

Agree with the first comment! I watched a few tutorials because I’m considering making mine. Use sharp scissors, smalls snips and pin it down.

Are you adding a trim. Can you sew the edge and then cut just in front of it, will be much easier to cut. Then add beading or whatever you are doing

View Quoted Comment The pinning to tissue isn’t something I considered! Thanks! The problem I’ve been having is that it shifts as I move it so I can’t line it up. I have a rotary cutter and self-healing mat, so that’s what I’ve been using.

View Quoted Comment I’ve steamed it because it was SUPER wrinkled from being in the box all those years then the bag my mom gave it to me in. I first used a clothing streamer and then I stuck it in my bathroom with the shower on extra hot. I’ve been using a rotary cutter. I don’t think I have proper fabric shears though I do have pinking shears.

View Quoted Comment Going to look up smalls snips!

View Quoted Comment Hi m considering adding ribbon. The tutorial I was looking at said to sew the ribbon on and trim after. My issue is to get the edges even and matched into a square and cut it into a semi circle so that I can make the veil. My moms was cathedral length or at least ankle length. I am fine with it being shorter but dang, this has been hard!

Try doing a mock-up with some cheap, new tulle (it's usually not more than a $1 a yard). I'm making daughter's veil, and I've already made three "trials" (each one has, literally, taken less than 30-minutes and cost me no more than a couple of dollars). When you get it the way you want it with the new tulle, you can make a simple tissue pattern by taking the trial veil apart and tracing it onto the tissue, then use that to cut your mom's veil. Also, invest in a pair of sewing shears -- they won't cost a ton, but you need good, sharp fabric scissors. Don't use your pinking shears -- the edge will be jagged and tulle's not going to ravel.

Depending on the fabric content of your mom's veil, be careful not to stretch it when you do pin it to a pattern and/or cut it. Most tulle (unless it's really old) is polyester, and very stretchy -- that's not a problem, just be aware. If you stretch it while cutting, when it goes back to it's unstretched size, the edges are going to look uneven. Good luck! It's awesome that you'll get to wear your mom's veil!

I know you what it straight as possible, but if you look at a lot of veil, they go back and forth and you will have some room for not completely perfect! Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Thanks for all the helpful tips!!!

View Quoted Comment Thanks! That’s very true! I just keep finding it frustrating because I try to fold it and lose the corners! Crazy-making!

View Quoted Comment Sharp scissors and pinned to tissue paper, I second that!

Also, have you taken your mom's veil apart enough so that it is a single, flat piece of fabric or are you trying to work with it while it still has it's original gathers, etc.? I'd do the trial on new fabric, then depending on the look/style you're trying to achieve, I'd take mom's veil apart so you're working with a flat piece of fabric -- that alone should make it a lot easier to work with than if you're fighting with the original gathers. Good luck!

I don't know of anyone mentioned this, but a good brand of scissors for cutting fabric is fiskars (can be inexpensive depending on what you select). If you do sew often, I would invest in a good pair of ginghers. They're more expensive, but an excellent investment for sewers.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! It is actually taken apart. My mom unceremoniously chopped it off as I was wearing it to make it manageable. So sentimental! 😂 It would have been easier if she hadn’t because that made a very uneven edge. Here I am acting silly in it for FH with the long part my mom cut off tucked back in. I’m using lace and lace flowers off the band at the top to make a comb. So I’ll have that part too.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! That’s the brand of pinking shears and rotary cutter I have!

View Quoted Comment Thanks!!!!

Maybe even find a cheap veil (on Amazon, on sale/clearance at Hobby Lobby or Michael's, etc.) that's the shape you're looking for, take the tulle off of the comb or headpiece, and pin THAT to your tulle to help guide your edges.