Advice on veils

Farasha Hanem · 10-06-2007, 03:13 AM

I just bought some chiffon material in three different colors today, at 3 1/2 yards each; I wasn't sure how much to buy, so I decided too much was better than not buying enough to begin with. I'm four feet nine inches tall; how long should my veil be?

Shanazel · 10-06-2007, 03:23 AM

I am five foot seven and very comfortable with three yard veils or a bit longer. Longer is definitely better than shorter, and I have never had a student who needed less than two and a half yards, including a woman who was 4'3" and could fling one of my ten foot veils around as easily as I could. Do you have a teacher who can help you decide on a length? Veil work takes a tremendous amount of upper body strength, but that will come with practice, so don't chop your veils too short!.

Farasha Hanem · 10-06-2007, 03:57 AM

Thank you for your reply, Shanazel. I believe my teacher could give me some advice. Even though I've only had two lessons so far (lessons are only once a week), I think my teacher has experience with designing costumes, at least from a few of the things she has mentioned in class. I'll ask her next week about how long my veils should be. Thank you very much.

Lydia dubai · 10-06-2007, 07:15 AM

Hi there 3 yards is a must., dont buy shorter otherwise so many nice things you can not do.....i see plenty vedors just selling 2 and a half yard veils,but is just to short....so you are on the safe side have a great day Lydia

Shanazel · 10-07-2007, 08:53 PM

I agree with you, Lydia. The student who had the 2.5 yard veil was a dwarf with very short arms and legs. She learned to use the longer veil, though she was always more comfortable with 45 inches wide than with 60.

Lydia dubai · 10-08-2007, 10:32 AM

yes Shanazel ,i forgat about that.. 45 inch is much better than the 60 i think so to .......have a nice day Lydia

Zorba · 10-08-2007, 05:18 PM

Hold the veil across your back - arms straight out. The veil should *just* touch the floor at the ends.

That's the "standard" rule, and should only be used as a starting point and guideline.

Choosing A Veil

Lydia dubai · 10-09-2007, 08:00 AM

Hi Zorba, all my veils dont touch the floors like you explaned,it is much more difficult to do all the work that way,specialy for beginners ...
and the veil is not ,,wrapping,, so easy what makes it more heavy for the arms to work them,that is why i think the 60 inch is more difficult to work with,it also depend on the fabrick that you use....Lydia

Zorba · 10-09-2007, 09:29 PM

Of course.

Its only a guideline. I've seen this one, and similar ones, on lots of websites. One should ALWAYS take one's own experiences/preferences into account. And you're "darn tootin'" about the fabric making a difference - ever swing a four yard polyester veil? Things feel like they weigh 100 pounds!

Shanazel · 10-10-2007, 12:46 AM

They don't call it pumpin' chiffon fer nuthin'.

Seriously, I admit to a certain amount of amusement when my younger "athletic" students start looking worn out after their first five minutes playing with a veil. They think I'm a washed up old lady with bat wings until they start trying to keep up, but I am kind and have mercy... eventually.

10-06-2007, 03:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 615	Advice on veils I just bought some chiffon material in three different colors today, at 3 1/2 yards each; I wasn't sure how much to buy, so I decided too much was better than not buying enough to begin with. I'm four feet nine inches tall; how long should my veil be?

10-06-2007, 03:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,654	I am five foot seven and very comfortable with three yard veils or a bit longer. Longer is definitely better than shorter, and I have never had a student who needed less than two and a half yards, including a woman who was 4'3" and could fling one of my ten foot veils around as easily as I could. Do you have a teacher who can help you decide on a length? Veil work takes a tremendous amount of upper body strength, but that will come with practice, so don't chop your veils too short!. Last edited by Shanazel; 10-06-2007 at 03:27 AM.

10-08-2007, 05:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 861	Hold the veil across your back - arms straight out. The veil should just touch the floor at the ends. That's the "standard" rule, and should only be used as a starting point and guideline. Choosing A Veil __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net "There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

10-09-2007, 09:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 861	Of course. Its only a guideline. I've seen this one, and similar ones, on lots of websites. One should ALWAYS take one's own experiences/preferences into account. And you're "darn tootin'" about the fabric making a difference - ever swing a four yard polyester veil? Things feel like they weigh 100 pounds! __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net "There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

10-06-2007, 03:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 615	Thank you for your reply, Shanazel. I believe my teacher could give me some advice. Even though I've only had two lessons so far (lessons are only once a week), I think my teacher has experience with designing costumes, at least from a few of the things she has mentioned in class. I'll ask her next week about how long my veils should be. Thank you very much.

10-06-2007, 07:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,348	Hi there 3 yards is a must., dont buy shorter otherwise so many nice things you can not do.....i see plenty vedors just selling 2 and a half yard veils,but is just to short....so you are on the safe side have a great day Lydia

10-07-2007, 08:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,654	I agree with you, Lydia. The student who had the 2.5 yard veil was a dwarf with very short arms and legs. She learned to use the longer veil, though she was always more comfortable with 45 inches wide than with 60.

10-08-2007, 10:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,348	yes Shanazel ,i forgat about that.. 45 inch is much better than the 60 i think so to .......have a nice day Lydia

10-09-2007, 08:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lydia dubai V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dubai United arab emirates Posts: 1,348	Hi Zorba, all my veils dont touch the floors like you explaned,it is much more difficult to do all the work that way,specialy for beginners ... and the veil is not ,,wrapping,, so easy what makes it more heavy for the arms to work them,that is why i think the 60 inch is more difficult to work with,it also depend on the fabrick that you use....Lydia

10-10-2007, 12:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,654	They don't call it pumpin' chiffon fer nuthin'. Seriously, I admit to a certain amount of amusement when my younger "athletic" students start looking worn out after their first five minutes playing with a veil. They think I'm a washed up old lady with bat wings until they start trying to keep up, but I am kind and have mercy... eventually.