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Flower Barrette How-to
A flower barrette is a fun accessory that can add a splash of color and style to any outfit. It's also easy and inexpensive to make. Here's how:
Supplies:
straight hair clips
1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon, cut into six inch lengths
synthetic flowers (available at any craft store)
decorative buttons or brads
fabric circles or other embellishments
hot glue gun
Instructions:
- The first step is to line the entire clip with one continuous length of ribbon. This makes it a little prettier and less likely to fall out of your child's hair, but if it seems too complicated, either line only the inside of the barrette, or skip it entirely. It's easiest to begin and at the upper inside edge of the clip (where the spring is located).
- Hold the clip open, and using the hot glue gun, apply a strip of glue along one inside edge and press the ribbon along it.
- Allow the clip to close, and apply a strip of hot glue to the outer edge of the clip. Bring the ribbon around from the inside, pull it tight (without pulling it off) and press it firmly against the outer edge.
- The next step a bit tricky, because the back end of the clip isn't straight--it looks a bit like the Greek letter Sigma Σ. Apply two dots of hot glue along the slanted edges of the Σ and carefully mold the ribbon along it.
- Bring the ribbon around to the other edge of the clip, and apply the glue and ribbon along both sides (at this point, the entire clip should be ribbon covered.)
- Remove the plastic backing of the flower, so the petals come apart and the center can be removed. Arrange the petals as you'd like them, and using the hot glue, reattach them. In the center of the flower, glue a button, a circle of decorative fabric, or a fabric-covered brad.
- Apply a thin layer of glue to the outer edge of the clip, and attach the flower. You can also attach the flowers to a badge pin, to pin onto a dress or backpack.
Spend an afternoon with your daughter making a flower barrette in every color--it'll put a little pizazz into back-to-school preparations (and you may end up wanting one too).
