Tutorial: Sweet & Simple Button Bows

Buttons are a perfect embellishment for hair accessories and today I'm going to share two simple options that look so sweet on!

Here's what you'll need:
Items will vary based on which type of hair accessory you wish to make.
Ribbon - if making the bow style
My Buttons from buttonlovers.com or JoAnns - the adorable polka dot buttons are part of their newest collection for kids and some of my favorites!
Hair Clips or Bobby Pins
Hot Glue or E6000 glue
Button Shank Remover Tool

If making the bow style, you'll need to start by making the bows using ribbon of your choice. This TUTORIAL shows how I make my bows.

Once your bows are made, use your Button Shank Remover tool to snip the shank from your buttons to create a flat surface on the back. 

Hot glue the button in place. TOO CUTE!!!! 

The next one is even faster!

Once again, remove the shank from your buttons with the Button Shank Remover.

Drop a small dab of glue on the back of your button and secure in place on the flat circle of the bobby pin.

You'll want to use a very strong glue for these like E6000. It holds best when there isn't something textured like fabric or ribbon for the glue to adhere to. It's VERY strong in odor, so I only use it outside. Just a little PSA to help avoid any unnecessary headaches from the fumes! ;) It also take a bit of time to fully dry.

How cute are these!?!?! My teen girls enjoy using this type of hair accessory.

There you have it!
Sweet & Simple and fun to make!

Thanks to buttonlovers.com for providing the buttons for this sweet project.

If you didn't see last week's tutorial for my Cute as a Button Bow Holder, be sure to check it out here! You'll need somewhere pretty to display all those beautiful button bows you've made! :)

Tutorial: Cute as a Button Bow Holder!

 Any Princesses in your lives???

I am blessed with several actually, but my youngest one is the only one still wearing (when I can beg her at least!) all the bows Mommy likes to make. :) The pile has taken over a shelf and made a mess in her closest, and it was long overdue for me to make her a special holder for all of them. 

I'm going to share with you how I made this "Cute as a Button" Bow Holder so you can make one too if you'd like! It's a fun and easy project and definitely something you can do WITH your little Princess....mine sure enjoyed helping me! :)

 Here's what you'll need:

1 Board Shape of your design choice. Ours is a thick cardboard crown from Hobby Lobby

1 Bag of My Buttons in color of choice available at JoAnns & buttonlovers.com

3 1/2 yards of Ribbon

Paint

Hot Glue

First I painted the crown shape so that all we would see when finished was PINK. :) It doesn't have to be perfectly painted, this just creates a nice background, especially if any of your buttons are clear like ours were.

Then with Mommy's help, Lil' Miss applied the buttons all about the crown after I would put the hot glue in place. 

 You can cover it as heavily as you'd like. Depending on how much extra "help" you had, there may be some gaps to fill. ;)

Next, make your ribbon loop hanger and glue it to the back of your shape in the center. 

 Also add your ribbon strips evenly spaced along the bottom. I like to cut my strips at least 1 yard each. 

Clean all your hot glue "strings" off.

 That's it! 

Now you're ready to hang it on the wall, adorn it with all your pretty bows and admire your work!

Enjoy making your Princess smile! Mine is very proud of her work and has even asked to wear a bow today! SCORE!!!
Be sure and watch for another fun button project next week....I'll show you how to make some darling hair accessories to help fill your new bow holder!

Warm "Thanks!" to buttonlovers.com for providing the buttons for this fun project.

Baby Girl Gift Set with Babyville Boutique!

 I had so much fun creating these sweet "Cowgirl" sets to be delivered as part of our November Project donations! They are super cute and simple to make, so I thought I'd share a tutorial for those of you that might like to give it a try. Ready? 

I've started with some of the adorable new Babyville Boutique Ruffle Elastic and Ribbons.

 If you are making these for your own child, you will want to start by measuring her head, otherwise, a quick google search for "baby headband measurements" will provide some averages for you to work from. Once you've determined your size, cut the Ruffle Elastic accordingly and sew the cut ends together to create your headband. 

Next, you will make your bows. For mine I have used THIS TUTORIAL and made 2 bows for layering.

  

 Once your bows are secured together, cut an extra piece of the Ruffle Elastic 3-5" in length, and use this to tie the bow to the headband, covering the stitching. 

Now you are all set! Quick & easy huh? And fun to make! Find a little model to show off your creation and enjoy making another. :)

 Here's the second headband I made following the same instructions above. 

 Using some of the remaining ribbon and Ruffle Elastic, I also made a sweet security blankie to complete my donation sets. 

I rolled the little blankies and used the stretchy headbands to wrap around them. I hope the little Cowgirl Princesses that receive these, and their parents, love them! :) 

Find out how you can join in and be part of our November Project, "Baby Love" HERE!

*****BONUS!!!!*****
Babyville Boutique is providing you with the chance to win your own surprise bundle of  their new ribbons and Ruffle Elastic so you can make your own adorable headbands! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter! (Open to US entrants)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner announced and emailed 11/15/13 and provided 48 hours to respond and claim prize or alternate winner may be selected. Thanks!

See the great selection of Babyville Boutique elastics & ribbons at BabyvilleBoutique.com !
Thank you Babyville Boutique and good luck to you all!

Tutorial - Stretch Lace Headband & Clippie

Stretch lace headbands are a sweet and simple addition to any baby girl layette!

 Today I'm going to share with you the way I make stretch lace headbands for the baby, as well as, an option for interchangeable bow clippies.

Gather these supplies:

Stretch Lace or Fold-over Elastic

Ribbon

Lightweight Wire or Thread

Clippie (optional)

Hot Glue/Glue Sticks

Click on images to see details larger.

Step 1: Loop the ribbon for your bow with print side out.

        2: Make second loop of same size the same way in opposite direction.

        3: For the third loop you will have to twist ribbon to keep print facing out.

        4: Reverse side of bow showing twist. Repeat for subsequent loops.

        5: Pinch loops in center of bow and secure tightly with wire or thread.

        6: Wrap wire/thread several times to hold the shape of the bow secure.

        7: Place a small dot of glue on center of bow.

        8: Place alternate piece of ribbon across center to hide hardware.

To finish bow for headband just wrap alternate piece around, overlap and glue on back.

To make the Stretch Lace headband:

         9: Cut desired length of stretch lace based on baby's head circumference. (I've used 14" for an average newborn.) Sew at raw edge with right sides together. I've sewn mine with black thread so you can easily see it.

       10: Add a small amount of glue on right side of headband at seam.

       11: Place finished bow on glue and hold for a moment while it dries.

Your headband is done and ready to put around a little, adorable head!

I love the softness of stretch lace or fold-over elastic for these, they are both perfect for baby's tender skin.

To make your headband so that the bows will be interchangeable clippies, follow these steps:

Make your bow as described above. Cover the clippie style of your choice with coordinating ribbon. Place a small amount of glue on the clippie. Then place the bow from Step 8 onto the clippie. Wrap center piece of ribbon around clippie and secure with more glue as shown below.

Make your stretch lace headband as described above.

Then follow these steps to create a headband with loop to hold clippie.

        Step 1: With a small amount of glue, glue seam open on headband.

                2: Cut an additional small piece of the stretch lace, enough to wrap around headband.

                3: Glue one side of small piece of lace to underside of headband covering seam.

                4: Wrap the piece around the headband and secure with another small amount of glue. This will hide the seam on the headband while creating a loop for your clippie to slide through as shown below.

Make additional bows to interchange with all that tiny wardrobe! ;) 

One note...the weight of the clippie is better for an older baby, where the original headband above is best for newborns and smaller babies.

A darling, quick and easy addition to any tiny princess's layette!

Ruffle Hair Wrap Tutorial

This sweet hair accessory is so easy to make and versatile to use, you'll want to make up a bunch!

 Here it is tying up a messy bun.

 Perfect to end a neat braid or ponytail.

 And can even be worn as a headband!

So here's what you do.

Cut a strip of fabric 2" by the width of your fabric...or about 44" once selvedge is trimmed. This would be a perfect jelly roll project!

Finish the edges of the strip with a rolled hem.

Zig-Zag stitch 1/2" elastic down center of strip pulling elastic taut as you go. This will automatically create the ruffling effect once tension is released.

Sew or serge ends together and you're ready to wear!

If you were wanting to make this for an adult, I would suggest adding additional length to your strip if you want to wear it as a headband. This headband fits my daughter who is 9 snug. 

Sometimes good things come from getting carried away ruffling! ;)