How to Make Wedding Garters?

A friend got married not too long ago, and even though she didn’t do a garter toss at her reception, I still made her a personalized garter for her hip flask.

If you are getting married or know someone who is, you might want to know how to make wedding garters. They are straightforward to make and can be customized for the bride-to-be in your life.

What is a Wedding Garter?

Simply put, a garter is a lacy band that, back in the day, people wore around the thigh to hold up a stocking. Outside of a renaissance fair, thigh-high socks aren’t a typical fashion statement anymore, but the garter is still a well-known article of clothing.

The Weird (Slightly TMI) History of the Garter

This small and seemingly obsolete piece of clothing dates back to Medieval times. The bride’s clothes were considered good luck, and guests would try to tear pieces off for themselves.

The wedding garter was incorporated into the wedding ceremony as “distractions” so guests wouldn’t grab at the bride. After throwing the garter, the bride could escape the handsy guests.

Garters had another meaning, too. Hundreds of years ago, consummating a marriage properly was very important. Close family and friends would wait outside or inside the bridal chamber while the newlyweds got it on. The groom would then show the garter to the nosy onlookers as proof that the couple had done the deed.

Why Do We Still Have Garters?

In modern times, the garter toss is more of an optional and fun tradition than the marital equivalent of throwing a steak to escape from wild dogs.

The groom removes the bride’s garter and throws it into a mosh pit of unmarried men. It’s one of the only times it’s socially acceptable for men to try and get their hands on a woman’s underclothes.

How to Make Wedding Garters

Now that you know the history behind it, I’m sure you’re itching to make your own garter. You will need the following materials:

Ribbon
Lace
Elastic
Sewing machine
Safety pin
Thread (preferably of the same color as the ribbon)
Measuring tape

Step 1

Use a measuring tape to find the circumference of your thigh.

Step 2

Add seven inches to your thigh measurement. This size is the length of the ribbon and lace you will use.

Step 3

Subtract three inches from your thigh measurement. This is how much elastic you will cut. Measure the elastic when it isn’t stretched out.

Step 4

Sew the ribbon onto the top of the lace to overlap, and the lace sticks out the bottom. Sew both sides of the ribbon to the lace to create a little tube.

Step 5

Attach the end of your elastic to a safety pin. Thread the safety hook in between the lace and the ribbon. Since the elastic is shorter than the rest of the garter, make sure you don’t lose the free end of the elastic.