Zipper Pins / Hair Clips

These are so cute and so simple, you won’t believe it!  Here’s what you need:

22” – 29” zipper (metal teeth are cool but you can use the ones with plastic teeth if you like.  Don’t buy metal zippers at the fabric store . . . they’re outrageously expensive!  I’ve found bags of them at thrift stores but most of mine have been purchased on Ebay.  You can also use old zippers you’ve removed from hoodies, jackets, etc. so before you toss that old garment . . . remove and save the zipper!

Hand sewing needle and thread that matches your zipper TAPE (the cloth part of the zipper), hot glue gun,  Gorilla Glue or other heavy duty craft glue, glue stick, small scrap of fabric (denim is great), small piece of thick cardboard, approx. 1”X1.5” or a 1.5” circle, small piece (a little bigger than the cardboard) of decorative paper, 2mm (no larger) beads – Optional

Getting started . . .

Now you've prepared your zipper and are ready to start sewing!

Once you finish all of the petals you want, you'll cut off any excess zipper tape leaving a 'tail' approximately 1 1/2 - 2" long (See below)

Starting at the end, begin rolling tightly and sewing a few stitches to secure each time you roll.  Continue this until you have a nice little rolled 'center' for the flower.

Tie off the thread.  Using your hot glue gun, secure the bottom of this rolled piece to the center of the flower.  Trim the excess fabric from the back of the flower.  Using your glue stick adhere a piece of decorative paper to your cardboard shape. Trim neatly and then using hot glue, secure the cardboard to the flower back.

To attach the pin back and hair clip, I used Gorilla Glue. 

If you choose to add beads, you need to sew the beads on BEFORE making your flower.  Be sure to not use larger beads because you won't be able to roll and stitch the flower.

When you take your thread to the back of the tape, weave it as shown and then go back up to the top side to attach the next bead.  If you don't do this, when you make your flower, you'll have long pieces of thread hanging down.

Sorry I don't have any pictures of beaded ones -- I gave them all away!  You can make these as small or as large as you like -- lots of possibilities!