Monday, July 26, 2010

Yards and Yards Original: Hair Flowers


After much trial and error I am pleased to share this tutorial with you. I learned a bit HERE and then I just ran with it.

So, here goes nothin...

Supplies:

Fabric - cotton works but it's tricky. I'd stick with satin, taffeta, tulle, etc. You'll be "melting" them, so you want that plasticky component in the fabric.

Candle

Flower centers - I used buttons, beads, gems... whatever you like

Hot glue gun

Needle and thread

Felt

Olfa circle cutter (optional)

This is the Olfa cutter. I don't know if it;s too much faster, but it sure makes nice circles. If you are mass producing, this is nice to have around.



Or.... I traced circles with my daughter's lovely stacking cups. I made 9 circles for most of these. The biggest is about 3.5 " and the smallest is about 1" across.


Here are the circles cut out and pinned together. I think I've decided I like plain old satin the best. I tried layering and alternating, but my favorites are one color and one fabric. Go figure.


Next, you need to burn each piece individually. You need an open flame that's easy to reach. My 7 year old took this pic... I couldn't really do it while handling the flame.

Just burn around the edges. You will want to experiment with this. Some fabrics burn before they hit the flame. Others take some convincing. I even like some of the edges getting a bit black. It adds dimension. I really like when the edges curl up a lot. It looks more like real flower petals. Try angling your circles toward you for that effect.

Oh... and water nearby is a must.


Now, stack them back up and sew them together. I go in and out about 4 times then tie a few good knots to be safe.


Now, you need to make my magic felt backing. I cut a circle about 1.5" across. Next I cut a strip .75" wide by 2" long. Sew it to the center of the circle along each side of the felt, as shown below.

I did most of them the same color, but I wanted you to see how the 2 felt pieces go together.

When you are done, hot glue these lovelies to the backs of the centers of your flowers. Add your desired flower center and voila!! Awesome hair bows.

You can thread small headbands through the felt pocket, or you can attach them with an alligator clip. Super versatile and super cute!



OK. Maybe I got a little carried away. Enjoy!



PS. Linking Up...

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37 comments:

Garilyn S said...

Those are so neat. I may have to try this. I'll have to search for some fabric. I think most of mine is cotton!

Dana said...

Yep...stinkin' adorable!!

Leslie said...

BEE U TI FUL! :) I love them. I want to try them for my daughter! TFS

Tayebug said...

Those turned out so cute and I love the black/white/blue one in the hair. So adorable.

Anna said...

Oh yeah! I forgot that I found a lot of this fabric at WalMart for $1.00 or $2.00 a yard one their clearance rack.

Unknown said...

Wow those turned out so cute. I'll have to try this out myself. Thanks for sharing!

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

These are so cute!~
I just love them!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

EYE can make that! said...

I love the flowers... totally going to copy... thanks for posting :)

Unknown said...

they turned out so well, i would have gotten carried away too!

Sassy Sites! said...

CUTE!!! I love your blog! Great ideas! I am your newest follower. Stop by Sassy Sites and say HI! :)

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

Those are super cute!! I love all the colors! You are smart to use a candle, I used a lighter.... not the best idea :)

Tina said...

These are so cute. I love them all! For sure going to make some for my daughter...and myself!

Misty @Creative Itch said...

Those are adorable! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!

Samantha said...

Very pretty. Nice photos, too. I never do too well with the melting/curling step.

AUDRA said...

love them!
I'd love for you to stop by and link up to Socialize with me Monday til Sunday, going on now! :)
http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/07/socialize-with-me-monday-til-sunday_26.html

Anne Maskell said...

Thank you for the great tutorial!

Kimberlee, The Spunky Diva said...

Those are very nice! Love your pics! Visiting from Sew Cute Tuesday.

~Kimberlee
www.thespunkydiva.blogspot.com

Staci J said...

I LOVE all the layers, and they're just so dainty and elegant. Visiting from justsewsassy.com

Alison @ mommadidit.blogspot.com said...

I love the black and white one!
Thanks for the inspirations.
http://makeitworkordowithout.blogspot.com/

Jenn said...

I always wondered how to make them interchangeable. I'll need to try the felt pocket tip. Very cool!

eye_on_sparrow said...

Those flowers are just adorable thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I love those, they are so pretty! We appreciate you joining us this week at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

malia said...

these are fun and so pretty... thanks for sharing!
www.yesterdayontuesday.com

Unknown said...

I will try to do some flowers too! I love them!

Goat Gal said...

Oh thank you! I think I have just discovered what to make my nieces for their birthday!

EllensCreativePassage said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I love these...you did a great job!

Leslie said...

Those are stinkin' cute! Thanks for the fabulous tutorial and linking up to Hoo's got talent!

Unknown said...

Those are so cute!!! I need to make some of these! My daughter would love them!

Thanks for linking up!

Jami said...

Just beautiful! They would look lovely as toppers on gifts! I hope you'll stop by my PRETTY PACKAGES PARTY next week. You're so creative, I'm sure you have some super cute ideas for wrapping gifts! Be sure to grab a button for a little reminder!
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
smiles!

Larri said...

Those are cute, and I wondered how those went together. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing! :o)

http://www.seamsinspired.com

Lappedamen said...

Wow! Thank you for sharing. Really cute flowers.

Quiltpiecer said...

Great post ... thanks for sharing!

Carla said...

thanks for the tutorial! Those flowers are just darling and would look wonderful on me. Pardon my boasting. :o)

Sachiko said...

Very nice! I love how you combined different fabrics together to get the look. Great job!

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said...

Anna,
I stumbled on your tutorial and it inspired to craft a little something of my own. You can check it out here.
http://ateliercaroline.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-from-drab-to-fab.html

Thanks! It was so easy with you explanations :)

Caroline
http://ateliercaroline.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah!!! Turned out perfect, first time!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

unknown said...

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