How to Make a Garter

Making a beautiful and feminine lace garter for your wedding is a simple project. A wedding has many details to be taken care of and the garter, like a bouquet, is an item that is always on the list. No matter whether you are the bride or a thoughtful friend, you will be able to create this garter in less than an hour and if the wedding dress is handmade, then many or all the supplies may even be obtained from the leftover materials.

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards of 1-inch satin ribbon (no wire)
• 1 yard of 1-inch flat lace
• 1 yard of 2 1/2-inch flat lace
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• 1/4-inch wide elastic
• Safety pin or bodkin
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut the 2-yard length of satin ribbon in half. Set one piece aside. If the 1-inch lace and satin ribbon have a right side and a wrong side, place one long edge of the lace and one long side of the ribbon with the right sides together and pin. If both sides are right sides, then choose one to be the wrong side. Sew the pinned edge, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Place the long edge of the 3-inch wide lace on the other long side of the ribbon with the right sides together and pin. Sew the pinned edge, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Turn the ribbon and lace over. Iron the seams toward the ribbon center.

2. Place the other piece of 1-inch wide satin ribbon wrong side up on your ironing surface. Fold over one long edge a 1/4-inch and iron. Repeat on the other long side of the ribbon. Place the ribbon and lace wrong side up on your work surface. Center the ironed ribbon on top. Match the folded edge of the ribbon with the stitch seam on the sewn ribbon and lace and pin. Top stitch as close to the folded ironed edge of the ribbon as possible to form the garter's casing.

3. Measure the thigh of the person who will be wearing the garter and subtract 2 inches. This measurement should be taken while the person is standing. Use the thigh measurement to cut a piece of 1/4-inch elastic. Attach a safety pin or bodkin on one end of the 1/4-inch elastic to work as a guide. Thread the elastic through the garter casing. Pin the free end of the elastic to the end of the casing. Guide the other end of the elastic to the other end of the casing. Remove the safety pin or bodkin and pin the other end of the elastic to the opening.

4. Fold the garter in half, matching the short ends with the right sides together and the top-stitched ribbon casing on the outside. Pin the short ends, and sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This will also catch the elastic ends in the seam. Iron the seams open. Top stitch the seams flat. Turn the garter right side out.