Veiled in Beauty: Creating Headpieces & Veils for the Bride [Paperback]

I ordered this book at the same time as "I Do Veils and so Can You," and this book puts that one to shame. This book does a great job of demonstrating how to cut the different shapes of veils from tulle, easy to follow instructions for various headpiece construction techniques, and a wide variety of options for embellishments and finishing. There are lots of options presented in terms of fabrics and materials, and the book suggests actual things you can buy at your local fabric store. Don't waste your money on the other outdated books out there when you can learn everything you need from this one!

I purchased Veiled in Beauty to go on my shelf of resource materials, you know the shelf you go to when the coffee hasn't kicked in at 7 in the morning?! I must admit I am very thankful that I have millinery experience as you are not shown how to make the foundation pieces such as juliet caps, crescents, wired frames and so forth. You are shown how to cover these pieces though, utilising a number of methods such as crinolin(horse hair is crinolin out here - don't trust my spelling of it), covering a buckram frame (book suggests underlining fabric with flannel, a item not easily come by in Australia any more- try pellon, a fine wadding used under quilt tops to enhance embroidery etc).

Veiled in Beauty contains some beautifully taken photographs. It also features a number of illustrations that clearly demonstrate numerous styles of veils. If you are patient, you can match some of the suggested styles and trims to the photos.You are shown how to make veils, such as single tiered veils, two-tiered veils, veils with a pouf, bouffant veils and so forth. Also features instructions for mantillas. Lace applications are demonstrated as well as edging techniques. You are shown how to make continuous bias.

Something that may be interest - you are shown how to make your veil removable from your head piece. That way you can get extra value out of your cocktail base by wearing it at your reception or even to other events after your big day. You're also shown how to make barrette bows- this might be a great idea for your flower girls? Don't forget the wreathes, made from fresh flowers either.

To succesfully use this book I would suggest that you must have a fair amount of patients and an ability to follow the written word. The instructions are clear, but it does no good if you are like me and just want to get right into it.

Like every resource, DIY, style guide book, etc- what you can do with what they sohw you is limited only by you. Let your imagination take over and make sure you purchase some surplus nylon illusion to experiment on before committing to your final piece. Veiled in Beauty is a lovely book that I wouldn't hesitate reccommending to someone who has a little bit of time on their hands. Don't buy this if you expect to be able to produce your bridal head wear in a day and are relatively new to sewing. It might end up more pricey then paying someone to make your veil in the first place.

This book is a 3 and a half star for me - like another reviewer wrote, it just lacks something that I can not put my finger on. When I do, I'll come back and edit this review.

edit: I found it very difficult to make a veil using the instructions in this book, that's my primary gripe.

There is a better book for bridal veil referencing, if you can use your imagination to update styles. I can't find it on Amazon. It was written by Margo Ann Daley, and is called Hats for Brides and Weddings. I made a number of veils based on the instructions in that book without problems (please remember I am fairly well experienced with millinery sewing and any issues tend to solve themselves instantly in my head and flow forth to my hands- if that makes sense).

I bought this book after reading the other reviews. I thought that this one would be better than 'I Do Veils So Can You.' This book has better pictures and some ideas that the other did not, but not terribly much. I do think that those extra ideas were worth buying the book for. It has more infomation on making a wire frame and decorating the headpiece. I did have a hard time understanding some of the directions for making different types of veils. I am still searching for a book with better information on making veils.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews  3.4 out of 5 stars