What to do with beautiful lace bridal veil?

Ladybug1776
by Ladybug1776
I have my original lace mantilla veil. I wanted to make something with it for both of my daughters-in-law since this came from my wedding in 1972. Can you think of what I could do with it other than cut it and frame it with a note to the bottom.
  23 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 10, 2015
    Of it is large enough how about making a placemat for a special piece they may both have
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 10, 2015
    Good idea I hadn't thought of but it's so delicate. Was thinking of maybe framing a beautiful section and putting a verse below it. What do you think
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 10, 2015
    That sounds beautiful as well. Good Luck Im sure it will turn out perfect.
  • Shari Shari on Sep 10, 2015
    I was married in 1972 also. After holding on to my wedding dress for almost 40 years, I decided to part with it in 2011 but before I did, I cut off some of the lace and had a charm bracelet made. In addition to Swarovski crystals, pearls and sterling beads, the woman who made the bracelet for me combined 3 heart-shaped charms made with broken china pieces and 4 charms containing pieces of lace from my wedding dress. I've attached a photo of it below.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 10, 2015
    I have never heard of this and am so excited. I hopefully can find someone that has charms like these. I have two beautiful daughters-in-law that I would love to share with. Thank you for taking the time to give me this idea.
    • Shari Shari on Sep 10, 2015
      @Ladybug1776 I'm so glad you liked the bracelet idea! I think it makes a beautiful and unusual way to preserve a sentimental keepsake like bridal lace, plus it has the potential to become a treasured family heirloom to be passed from generation to generation. I had it made to give to my only child, a daughter, but now I somewhat regret not having one made for myself too! Joy at Cupid's Charm made mine in 2011 but I don't think she does custom orders anymore. Sadly, it doesn't appear that she's making any of this broken china style jewelry at all now. However, if you have trouble finding the charms, you might consider contacting her through her website and asking if she can tell you where you might be able to find them. http://www.cupidscharm.com/ The craft stores like Michael's and JoAnn's are carrying a lot of jewelry making supplies now so they might even carry the charms. Also, Etsy could be another source for you, for either supplies or someone to do a custom jewelry order. Just to give you another idea, I'm attaching a photo of a charm necklace that Joy also had for sale around the time she made my bracelet. I also liked this necklace idea a lot too and had a hard time deciding between the necklace or the bracelet, but ultimately decided on the bracelet. One (or both) of your DILs might prefer the charm(s) on a long necklace chain rather than a bracelet.
  • Petra Sacco Petra Sacco on Sep 11, 2015
    Love the idea of making a bracelet out of the wedding dress and I am little jealous, because I got married in simple white pant suit. No lace there :-(. you could use some of the lace to make Victorian glass coasters. I would use the coasters they sell in craft stores and are used for pressed flowers. Kinda similar as the charm. you could also use some clear polymer and make your own charms by using silicone candy or cake decoration molds to get different shapes and in-bed the lace in it.That is what I would do, if I couldn't find the glass ones. Good luck with the project!
  • LD LD on Sep 11, 2015
    You could create a shadow box for both of them, not only incorporating part of your veil, but things representing their wedding day. I would make a pleated fan for each of them and one for yourself, and any remaining parts of your veil you could use as the background fabric in your window box.
  • Becky Greenwald Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
    Or can some of the lace be used on a pillow, like a bedroom accent pillow? Or as a mat in a lovely picture frame with a precious photo over it?
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Sep 11, 2015
    This might not do it for you, but I was thinking of a piece of everyday clothing, but classic, functional, like a jean jacket or similar durable that the daughter-in-law likes as her 'signature piece' that she never wants to be without - maybe a sturdy canvas goes-everywhere bag. Use some of the lace to embellish it, whether wildly or discreetly as per daughter personality, e.g boldly over top of the collar or peeking out prettily all along the flap. Maybe stitch some type of commemoration label for the inside, that only she sees whenever she puts on or uses the item. Personal, from a once-newly-wed to another. This is a way you can say that "this family will be with you, where ever you go". I would have been thrilled to get this kind of message from my in laws. Perhaps you might need to have a conversation to find out what kind of clothing article she would never be without. A workshirt? A bandanna?No problem - spare your time to ask, listen and acknowledge her person with your handicraft! I believe this is how to draw new family members into the fold, instead of leaving them on the side lines.
  • Marcia r Marcia r on Sep 11, 2015
    without knowing the size or type of lace, it is difficult to give a recomendation
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 11, 2015
    Thank you so much. So many good ideas..... I am so grateful for everyone of you that took the time to give me these ideas.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 11, 2015
    Another very good ideas and some thoughtful suggestions too. Thank you. You guys have such wonderful ideas.
  • Lynda Dexter Lynda Dexter on Sep 12, 2015
    you could also use the lace to wrap around a scrap book for each of them.
  • Can you save some for a baby bonnet/booties/handkerchief/first Communtion accessories. You'll have lovely heirlooms for everyone!
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 12, 2015
    We are past the baby stages in my grandchildren with no more to come. I do have 3 beautiful grands though. This was another really good idea.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 12, 2015
    Thanks...I'm saving this website. I've not seen these out before. Thanks for sending it to me.
  • Linda Linda on Sep 12, 2015
    Use to create some heirloom holiday ornaments, perhaps an acrylic or glass heart shape?
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 12, 2015
    You know this is crazy but I didn't even think of this idea and I really like it. I'm big on sentimental Christmas ornaments. Thanks so much.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 12, 2015
    I am so glad I asked this question of how to use this lace....like yours, I have had so many great ideas. Thank you.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 13, 2015
    Oh another great idea. You ladies are magnificient. I'm very grateful for your help.
  • Carrie Hawk Carrie Hawk on Sep 13, 2015
    Depending on the size, it might make a couple nice doilies for a tabletop that could hold their wedding portraits. Another idea is to use some of it to dress up a frame for their wedding portraits. Whatever you do make, needs to be used for something special.
  • Ladybug1776 Ladybug1776 on Sep 14, 2015
    It truly amazes me all the wonderful ideas like yours I have gotten. I should have asked this question a long time ago. Thank you.