How to Make a Wedding-Dress Train Out of Tulle
Many a bride dreams of having a long train flowing behind her as she walks down the aisle, but some dresses otherwise suitable for a bride are devoid of this feature. Tulle, a lightweight, sheer material in a fine mesh pattern, makes a soft train adaptable to many dress styles. Whether a woman inherited a family wedding gown or bought a budget-priced dress without a train, it’s possible to add this feature. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pattern
- Sewing machine
- Seam ripper
- Needle
- Thread
- Scissors
- Embellishments
- Fabric glue
Instructions
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If using a pattern, choose a wedding-dress pattern that includes a train of the desired design. Buy enough yardage of tulle to make the train, plus an additional yard or two for waste. Because white and off-white come in a variety of shades, bring the wedding dress to the fabric shop to ensure its fabric and the tulle match.
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Follow the pattern’s instructions for measuring and cutting the tulle. Alternately, create a simple panel train without having to use a pattern by measuring then cutting a long panel of tulle wide enough to cover from hip to hip and long enough to extend as far as desired behind the dress. For a fuller train, cut two or more panels to layer on top of each other.
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Use the seam ripper to carefully remove any trim or other embellishments from the back of the waist seam, then delicately remove the stitches holding this seam together.
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Gather and pin the tulle train in place, tucking the top edges into the open seam. Turn the dress inside-out and trim any excess fabric or tulle from the waistband. Using a sewing machine, stitch all layers of fabric together, sandwiching the tulle between the layers of dress fabric and sewing just outside the original stitch lines.
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Turn the dress right-side-out and carefully hand-stitch or glue lace medallions or other embellishments over the seam to hide it. Either use what was on the dress before or add your own designer touches.
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Tips & Warnings
If it’s difficult to cut a straight edge on tulle with scissors, try spreading the tulle flat onto a cutting mat and use a rotary cutter and clean metal ruler as a guide.
A truly novice seamstress might consider outsourcing this project to a professional.
Always use the lowest possible heat setting when ironing tulle to avoid melting the delicate fabric. Alternatively, use a fabric steamer to release any wrinkles.
Don’t use a hot glue gun to attach embellishments to the train, especially for a summer wedding. Heat and sunshine can cause the glue to soften and the embellishments to fall off.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images
