Western Wedding Garters

My little sister's wedding is coming up in less than a week! I was lucky enough to be asked to make some of the accessories for the wedding, including the garters. They are kind of a fun project that can be made very elaborate if you are a fussy stitcher or very simple if you are into quick & dirty sewing. The key is to make them flat; put in the elastic and join the ends last. Work with strips-press and topstitch rather than trying to work with tubes.

This is the "keeper". The top is brown lace layered over turquoise satin with a satin ribbon peaking out the top. If you are layering two fabrics like this, I recommend basting the two pieces together before joining them with anything else. To do the ribbon at the top baste the ribbon to the front fabric right sides together before stitching the backing fabric on. Basting each layer takes extra time but is totally worth it. Also, good pressing is essential but be careful with these fancy fabrics! They melt easily and satin will often leave press marks. To mitigate press marks use a press cloth, trim seams neatly, and iron lightly. I use my sleeve roll frequently when pressing on satin. The round shape allows you to press only where the seam or edge is and your seam allowances fall away.

The bottom is fringe layered over a brown satin ruffle with decorative stitching. I used a fusible interfacing for reinforcement on the satin before doing the decorative stitching. Again, baste the fringe into place before putting it all together. The garter is finished with some bling and a ribbon bow with an applique of their initials stitched onto the ends. I do not have an embroidery machine, but my Janome 4900MC can do some nice stitches and lettering.

Here is the "throwing" garter that I made a little more simple. It has the brown satin on top with the turquoise fringe and a bow with a rhinestone. I believe I did approximately a double length for the gather on both pieces. Use a bodkin or large safety pin to pull the elastic through. Be sure to pin the elastic and try it on before you stitch it together. It is supposed to sit a few inches above the knee.

My garters will soon be making their appearance-best of luck with yours!