Monday, May 9, 2011

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!



27 comments:

  1. Now I know what to do with those old zippers I found a couple of weeks ago. Great idea and tutorial!!! Thank you!!!

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  2. I just found your blog and am your newest follower! Your projects and links are fabulous and have left me completely inspired!! Thanks for creating such a fun place to visit.

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  3. I wondered how in the world you made them!!! Thank you for showing us!

    I'm following you from the Girl Creative linking party. Please follow me at: www.daughterbydesign.blogspot.com

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  4. My DD loves these! She will be trying to make her own. Thanks for the great tut!

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  5. What a great tutorial for this very cool pin. I hope to try this soon.
    Tammy

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  6. Great tutorial , love it! it's so cute!

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  7. Thanks for sharing the tutorial! Great spin on the zipper flowers!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  8. that is really neat!

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  9. Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I love these and will be bookmarking this post so I can come back to do this!! I have dozens of old colorful zippers from an estate sale, they'll make such pretty flowers. I hope mine look as good as yours.

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  10. How awesome! These don't look very hard at all with your great tutorial!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  11. So cute. Someone gave me a bag of old metal zippers and like a dummy I didn't see why I would ever use them and passed them on. Bummer.

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  12. Great job, Lauren! Can't wait to try it! I've got tons of old zippers. Please come link up on Thursday!!
    www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

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  13. So cute. Saw you on Someday Crafts. I would love if you would come visit me athttp://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

    I have some cool give aways you could enter too.

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  14. Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday - I featured you today! - Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

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  15. I never thought of putting beads on them! I definitely have to try this soon. Thanks!

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  16. Totally adorable! Now, where did I put my stash of zippers? I followed your link at the Penny Pinching Party. I plan to follow your page, follow back if you are so inclined. http://scrappybaglady.blogspot.com/

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  17. So you tricked me....I would have never guessed these were you! :)

    Wow...that is an awesome craft! Thanks so much for linking it! :)

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  18. stunning - thanks for sharing this wonderful tute!

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  19. How wonderfully cute are these! I love how you repurposed these. Very nice idea. Thanks for linking it up! Would you please put a link to the HSH party in your post. Thanks!
    Sherry

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  20. Hmmmm....I'm picturing this instead of a bow on a gift. Found this craft on Tatertots and Jello - but I am one of your followers!

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  21. totally smart..very nice..you are amazing my dear :)

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  22. Oh My Gosh, this is soooo cooool! thank you, can't wait to try this, Celeste,victoriantailor.com

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  23. I had to do a double take at TT&J, I made some zipper flowers almost identical to yours this week and haven't published my post yet. I have also found "vintage" zippers at thrift stores. Love your flowers and the tutorial is great.

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  24. Thanks for the tutorial. I've become your newest follower :-) Love your blog!

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  25. That is just so cool and cute!

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