A centuries-old wedding tradition, wearing a garter is a unique opportunity to infuse your special day with personalized flair. When you choose to wear one on your big day, why not seize the moment to craft something that reflects your individuality? The prospect of making your own garter offers an exciting chance to put your creative spin on this timeless custom.
Garter Supplies List
To create your own custom hair tie, you’ll need a few essential materials. Start with the foundation: lace or ribbon in a color of your choice. Next, select thread in the same hue as your ribbon to use for sewing and securing the lace or ribbon in place. You’ll also need some elastic to provide flexibility and comfort when wearing the hair tie. A safety pin will come in handy for attaching any decorative accents you might want to add.
Of course, you can’t forget the scissors needed to cut the lace or ribbon to the desired length. Finally, don’t overlook a soft measuring tape to ensure that your hair tie is able to wrap comfortably around your leg without being too tight or too loose. As for decoration, feel free to get creative with various accents and embellishments to give your hair tie a personalized touch.
Steps to Make the Garter
Embarking on a DIY adventure to craft your own wedding garter can infuse your special day with an extra touch of romance. By creating something truly unique to your personal style, you’ll not only guarantee a bespoke piece that reflects your individuality but also cherish the sentimental value it holds as a meaningful keepsake from your wedding day. Follow these steps and discover how making your own garter can become a treasured experience.
Make Your Measurements
To create a garter that fits comfortably, start by measuring the circumference of your leg where you want it to sit. Then, add 7 inches to this measurement to account for gathering fabric. With your total length calculated, measure and cut a piece of ribbon and lace to match.
Next, focus on preparing the elastic component. Begin by taking your initial leg measurement and subtracting 2 inches. This will give you the perfect amount of elasticity to prevent the garter from slipping off.
Cut the elastic to this length and proceed with assembly.
Sew The Lace to the Ribbon
To secure the ribbon atop your lace, place it alongside the lace, ensuring the top edges align perfectly. You have two options for completing this step: hand-sewing or using a sewing machine. The choice is yours.
Select a thread that matches the color of your ribbon and sew the top edge of the ribbon to the top edge of the lace, maintaining an even and straight line. This foundation will guide your subsequent stitching.
Next, focus on securing the bottom edge of the ribbon to the lace, leaving a small gap between the two components.
Add the Elastic
To secure the safety pin to the end of the elastic, begin by threading the combination between the lace and ribbon. Make sure to bunch up the lace and ribbon as you go, as the elastic is shorter than the desired length. Once the elastic is through the gap, secure the ends with a pin. Then, bring the garter ends together and sew the lace shut. Finally, trim any excess strings and tidy up the edges.
Add Finishing Touches
Consider elevating your garter’s aesthetic by incorporating tiny yet thoughtful embellishments, such as beads or pearls, onto its band. Alternatively, you could personalize the accessory further by adding charms that feature your initials alongside those of your soon-to-be spouse. This will enable you to make the piece truly one-of-a-kind and imbue it with sentimental value.
FAQ
Some couples may be wondering about the intricacies surrounding the wedding garter, particularly when it comes to crafting their own unique design. To shed some light on the matter, here are a few common questions that arise when exploring the world of custom wedding garters.
Where Do I Buy Wedding Garter Materials?
When it comes to collecting the necessary materials for your wedding garter, you have a variety of options at your disposal. For a more extensive selection, consider visiting a craft store such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Alternatively, you can also check out big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. If you prefer to shop online, you can visit the websites of these stores or opt for online marketplaces like Amazon to find everything you need.
Do I Have to Sew the Garter?
While sewing a garter is an option, it’s not the only way to go. If you’re not comfortable with a needle and thread or prefer a simpler approach, you can substitute fabric glue for stitching. Simply replace any instances where the pattern calls for sewing with fabric glue. However, do exercise caution when working with elastic to ensure it doesn’t get stuck on the adhesive.
Keep in mind that using glue will add some extra time to your project as you’ll need to wait for each layer to dry before moving forward.
What Color Should I Make the Garter?
In terms of color, the beauty of a garter lies in its versatility. Unlike traditional accessories that are often tied to specific hues, a garter can be crafted in any shade you desire. This freedom allows brides-to-be to incorporate their favorite colors into their wedding day look. A white garter, for instance, provides a timeless and elegant touch that can beautifully complement a wedding dress. Alternatively, opting for a blue garter can fulfill the traditional ‘something blue’ requirement.
The possibilities don’t stop there – a garter can also serve as a subtle way to incorporate your wedding colors, creating a cohesive and stylish appearance. Ultimately, the color of your garter is entirely up to you, offering yet another opportunity to infuse your wedding day attire with personal flair.
Conclusion
Embracing creativity and personalization, crafting a unique wedding garter can elevate your wedding day attire to new heights. With every delicate stitch or embellishment, you’ll be wearing a tangible representation of your imagination and ingenuity. And as you don the finished product, you’ll feel an undeniable sense of pride knowing that it’s entirely yours.
For additional inspiration on wedding planning and execution, including playlists for garter placement ceremonies, explore our comprehensive blog.