Sunday, April 29, 2012

Hair Flower Tutorial!

For the longest time, I have wanted to do a hair flower tutorial. And after much procrastination, here it is!

Here are the supplies you will need:
hair flower
metal (or jeweler's) pliers
glue gun
glue sticks
hair barrette or hair alligator clip
1/4 inch wide grosgrain ribbon
scissors
hot pad (pot holder)


To start, select your hair flower(s) from your local craft store. The flowers are usually made of silk, a silk blend, or a poly blend. Moreover, the flower itself is typically on a single or multi-tiered plastic-coated metal stem.  You can find these flowers (or picks) in the flower section.
Before you begin, plug in your glue gun and place it on a hot pad (or pot holder) to protect your work space from the heat. Pre-heat glue gun for at least 10 minutes.

Now, using your pliers, cut off the coated-metal stem(s) at the base of the flower:
Make sure the stem is removed cleanly to ensure a flat surface necessary for gluing on the barrette (or alligator clip).

 Now, cut two equal sections of ribbon slightly shorter than the actual length of clip/barrette.
Using the glue gun, apply a small line of glue to the ribbon and adhere ribbon to underneath of the top part of clip:
Allow glue to cool for 5 minutes.

On the top of the clip, glue on the second strip of ribbon:
 Allow glue to cool for another 5 minutes.

Now, here comes the fun part, ie attaching the flower itself! Add a pea-sized amount of glue to the middle of ribbon and attach flower:
Allow glue to cool/set for at least 10 minutes before handling. Turn off glue gun and let it cool down completely before storing away. When your clip is no longer warm (whatsoever) to the touch), it is ready to wear! Let the compliments roll in!!!



9 comments:

  1. Oh, this is really useful. I recently found some fabric flowers in poundland (a shop where EVERYTHING costs £1 and everyone loves but pretends they don't go to!). I was wondering what to use them for, this seems the perfect project.

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    1. Thanks for the comments! We have a store like that here in the US called "Dollar Store!" Everyone here loves to go there but not admit as well! LOL! Too funny! I love their liquid soaps for the loo and their gift wrap is great at the holidays! Most gift wrap is too expensive but a a dollar per roll is a no-brainer! But some of the "fashion accessories" and makeup there are a scream! Tacky, tacky, tacky!!

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  2. Hi! This is totally off topic (and great tutorial, by the way), but I am a vintage loving gal who is going to be moving to DC in August to start a doctoral program. Any tips on cool places to go for music? And also, inexpensive housing areas that aren't sketchy? I know no one in DC and have followed your awesome blog for a while now :) Thanks! <3 Kate

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    1. That is neat that you will be living here! Where in the area do plan to live? In the city itself or in Maryland or Virginia?

      As for music, there is really no scene for rockabilly. I know a few bands may play some older-influenced stuff but as for a real scene, there is nothing:(

      When I was at Viva, I got so jealous listening to the other gals talk about the events they go to most weekends in LA, SoCal, San Diego, San Francisco, etc. We need a scene here so bad!!

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  3. I make these too! I was so excited once.....I stuck the clip on my head before it was cool and hot glued it to my hair. EXCITEMENT FAIL.

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    1. Aren't hair flowers addicting?! Once you learn to make them, you can't stop! (at least for me!) I am always in Michaels browsing for new flower supplies!

      That is a riot about your glue hair fail! LOL!! I once put on too much glue and when I went to handle my flower clip, I burned the hell out of my finger! lol! I was just too impatient!

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  4. Thanks for the tutorial!
    I wear the hair flower I got from you (AT LEAST once a week. *hahah* I love it because it goes with everything.)

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    1. You're welcome!! I am so glad you are getting good use out of the hair flower! I wear one at least every day!

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