How to Make a Bridal Garter

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Lace bridal garter with a blue fabric flower
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

To bring good luck on their wedding day, many brides adhere to the traditional English rhyme, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Wearing a blue garter on one's wedding day is thought to bring good fortune, love, fidelity and purity. A handmade lace garter with some blue fabric flowers makes a lovely and lucky gift for any new bride in your life.

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Things You'll Need

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Materials needed for a bridal garter
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
  • Stretch lace ribbon (enough to go around the bride's thigh)
  • 1/2-inch satin ribbon in various colors
  • Measuring tape
  • Sharp scissors
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine with a universal 9/65 lace needle
  • Beads or jewels to embellish the garter
  • Hot glue gun
  • Needle and coordinating thread

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Step 1

Cut the lace with a pair of sharp scissors.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Measure the circumference of the bride's thigh and subtract 1 inch. Use this measurement to cut a strip of stretch lace ribbon with a pair of sharp scissors.

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Step 2

Pin and sew the lace.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Overlap 1/4 inch of the ends of the lace and pin. Sew in place using a universal 9/65 lace needle and a zigzag stitch. Remove the pin as you sew.

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Step 3

Cut the ribbon.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Cut a piece of blue satin ribbon that is 20 inches long. This will make a small flower. If you'd like to make a larger flower, cut a 30-inch piece of satin ribbon.

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Step 4

Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Tie a knot in one end of the ribbon.

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Step 5

Twist the ribbon.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Hold the knotted end in one hand and start to twist the ribbon with the other hand.

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Step 6

Dot some hot glue on the knot.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

After you've twisted about an inch of ribbon, use a hot glue gun to place a dot of glue on the side of the knot.

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Step 7

Continue to twist and roll the ribbon.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Roll the twisted ribbon over the dot of glue to secure in place. Continue to twist the ribbon and roll it around itself, placing a dot of hot glue every inch or so until the flower gets to your desired size. Tuck the end of the ribbon under the flower and secure the end in place with hot glue. Attach the jewel to the center of the flower with hot glue.

Tip: You could make a few ribbon flowers in varying sizes and colors.

Step 8

Close-up of finished bridal garter
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Hand stitch the flowers onto the lace garter. Then, wrap your handmade garter in some beautiful blue paper and bring some good fortune to a lucky bride in your life.

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