How to Make a DIY Wedding Garter

Wearing a garter is a long-standing wedding tradition. If you decide to wear a garter on the day of your wedding, what better way to add your own personal touch and style than by making it yourself. 

Garter Supplies List

• Lace
• Ribbon (in your choice of color)
• Thread (in the same color of your ribbon)
• Elastic
• Safety pin
• Scissors
• Measuring tape (use a soft measuring tape to ensure that it is able to wrap around your leg)
• Accents for decoration

 

Steps to Make the Garter

Making your own garter is a simple and fun way to add a bit of personal sparkle to your wedding day. Whatever your style, making your own garter is the perfect way to ensure that it is personalized and exactly what you want.

Here are the steps to create a gorgeous, personalized wedding garter that you will absolutely love and will be a wonderful reminder of your wedding day. 

 

Make Your Measurements

Begin by measuring the circumference of your leg where you want the garter to sit. In order to get the perfect amount of fabric for gathering, add 7 inches to the circumference measurement.

Measure and cut the specific amount of ribbon and lace you calculated.

Next it is time to measure and cut your elastic. Take your initial circumference measurement and subtract 2 inches. Cut that length of elastic. Less elastic helps to ensure that the garter will not fall off of your leg.

 

Sew The Lace to the Ribbon

Take the ribbon and lay it on top of your lace aligning the top of the ribbon with the top of the lace. For this, you can either choose to hand sew or use a sewing machine.

Take the thread that is the color of your ribbon and sew the top of the to the top of lace making sure to keep them even and in a straight line.

From there, you are going to sew the bottom edge of the ribbon to the lace as well. This will leave a space between the lace and the ribbon. 

 

Add the Elastic

Attach the safety pin to the end of the elastic. Carefully move the safety pin and the elastic between the lace and the ribbon. Thread the elastic in the space between the ribbon and the lace.

Since the elastic is shorter than the lace and ribbon, you will have to bunch them up as you go so you do not lose the ends of the elastic.

With the elastic through, pin the ends in place. Face the ends of the garter together and sew the lace together. Cut any excess strings and clean up the edges. 

 

Add Finishing Touches

If you want to add a little flare and more personalization, consider sewing some beads or pearls to the band of the garter. You could also add charms with you and your soon to be spouse’s initials.

Make this piece as personal and unique as you desire. 

 

FAQ

Here are a few frequently asked questions about the wedding garter and creating your own. For more information about the wedding garter and the wedding garter tradition, read this article.

 

Where Do I Buy Wedding Garter Materials?

There are many places where you can gather the materials to make your wedding garter. The best place to go is a craft store.

Popular stores include Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Other options include Walmart and Target. You can also opt to order these materials online either from these stores or from a place like Amazon. 

 

Do I Have to Sew the Garter?

Sewing your garter is not a requirement. Whether you do not know how to sew or would like a simpler way of crafting, you can opt to use fabric glue in place of thread.

Any place in the steps where thread is used for sewing, you can replace the thread with fabric glue. Be careful when threading the elastic through and make sure that elastic does not get caught on the glue.

Making the garter with glue might take longer since you will have to wait for the glue to dry before moving on to the next steps. 

 

What Color Should I Make the Garter?

There is no traditional color for a garter. You can make your garter whatever color you want.

White is a classic choice and it can match with your wedding dress. If you make it blue, it can count as your something blue.

The garter is a great way to add a pop of hidden color to your wedding day outfit. You can also make it match the colors of your wedding. Whatever your favorite color or wedding colors, your garter is yours to customize. 

 

Conclusion

Crafting your own wedding garter is an amazing way to show off your creativity and add a bit of personal touch to your wedding day outfit. Wear your gorgeous garter and be proud knowing that you were the one who created it. 

For more information on wedding planning and ideas, like songs to play during the garter placement, visit our blog!