I realize it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to make a headband. But I flatter myself to think that maybe someone out there could use my own tips for the pretty pretty head candy.
First start with an arsenal of lace and ribbons. I feel this is something one should have on hand at all times. Like you would milk or toilet paper. Press them with an iron on medium heat. You may also want some other tools like
Fray Check,
Horsehair braid, pins and a hot glue gun.
Cut the ribbon. I cut two main pieces: a top piece {the feature} and a bottom piece {the worker}. Cut the top piece 9" long and the bottom piece 18" long. You can adjust these lengths depending on your head size if your worried about fit. I cut the 'feature' ends straight across and the 'worker' ends at an angle.
Now don't be worried if the ribbon you love is wired. After cutting to size, press on on the corners until you feel the poke of the wire end. Grasp the tip of wire and pull back the ribbon to expose it. {tweezers help a lot} When you've got more than an inch exposed, wrap it around your finger and yank!
After cutting your ribbon lengths, {and ridding yourself of that pesky wire} apply fray check to the ends and allow to dry.
Now have some fun layering laces and other edgings to the
back of your 'feature' ribbon. Apply a thin ribbon of hot glue and place your lace so it will peek out when the 'feature' is flipped back over. Trim to fit after applying. I also use popsicle stick to press down the lace and spread out the glue while it's still hot so it's not lumpy when it dries. {what you have to eat to get that popsicle stick is totally up to you.}
Fold each of your ribbons in half {both the 'feature' and the 'worker'} and pin the center of each.
Layer the ribbons on top of each other, matching up the center pins. The 'feature' should be on bottom and the 'worker' should be on top. Make sure both ribbons are laying pretty side down. Then fold back one half of the 'worker', apply your hot glue to the back of the 'feature' and place the lifted half back down. Do your popsicle stick trick. Repeat on the other half.
Flip over to right side up. Glue a small strip of your lace over the edge to clean up the look. Trim to fit.
Another option is to wrap a thin ribbon around both the 'feature' and 'worker' and secure with glue in the back.
If you have a pretty lace that's perfect without edging, but is too delicate, horsehair braid will help. It's a flexible, woven, nylon braiding that is semi sheer. It comes in white or black and varying widths. It's woven on the diagonal so it's width can also change when pulled or pushed - think chinese finger trap.
If you are using horsehair braid, you will have to do a little hand sewing. Pin the braid to the back of your lace and stitch it on using matching thread and small stitches. Careful not to pull your thread too tight because it will pucker your lace. I don't recommend machine sewing for the same reason.
The end of horsehair is very pokey. Use a scrap of ribbon to fold over the ends of the 'feature' and glue to the front and back.
Your headbands are done now. And because they tie on to your head they look just as pretty from the back as they do the front. Tie a few onto a card and give as gift. They even look good enough to not wrap.
and then give them to that cute little pixie you know for her 30th birthday.
yup. adorable.
I realize it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to make a headband. But I flatter myself to think that maybe someone out there could use my own tips for the pretty pretty head candy.
First start with an arsenal of lace and ribbons. I feel this is something one should have on hand at all times. Like you would milk or toilet paper. Press them with an iron on medium heat. You may also want some other tools like Fray Check, Horsehair braid, pins and a hot glue gun.
Cut the ribbon. I cut two main pieces: a top piece {the feature} and a bottom piece {the worker}. Cut the top piece 9" long and the bottom piece 18" long. You can adjust these lengths depending on your head size if your worried about fit. I cut the 'feature' ends straight across and the 'worker' ends at an angle.
Now don't be worried if the ribbon you love is wired. After cutting to size, press on on the corners until you feel the poke of the wire end. Grasp the tip of wire and pull back the ribbon to expose it. {tweezers help a lot} When you've got more than an inch exposed, wrap it around your finger and yank!
After cutting your ribbon lengths, {and ridding yourself of that pesky wire} apply fray check to the ends and allow to dry.
Now have some fun layering laces and other edgings to the back of your 'feature' ribbon. Apply a thin ribbon of hot glue and place your lace so it will peek out when the 'feature' is flipped back over. Trim to fit after applying. I also use popsicle stick to press down the lace and spread out the glue while it's still hot so it's not lumpy when it dries. {what you have to eat to get that popsicle stick is totally up to you.}
Fold each of your ribbons in half {both the 'feature' and the 'worker'} and pin the center of each.
Layer the ribbons on top of each other, matching up the center pins. The 'feature' should be on bottom and the 'worker' should be on top. Make sure both ribbons are laying pretty side down. Then fold back one half of the 'worker', apply your hot glue to the back of the 'feature' and place the lifted half back down. Do your popsicle stick trick. Repeat on the other half.
Flip over to right side up. Glue a small strip of your lace over the edge to clean up the look. Trim to fit.
Another option is to wrap a thin ribbon around both the 'feature' and 'worker' and secure with glue in the back.
If you have a pretty lace that's perfect without edging, but is too delicate, horsehair braid will help. It's a flexible, woven, nylon braiding that is semi sheer. It comes in white or black and varying widths. It's woven on the diagonal so it's width can also change when pulled or pushed - think chinese finger trap.
If you are using horsehair braid, you will have to do a little hand sewing. Pin the braid to the back of your lace and stitch it on using matching thread and small stitches. Careful not to pull your thread too tight because it will pucker your lace. I don't recommend machine sewing for the same reason.
The end of horsehair is very pokey. Use a scrap of ribbon to fold over the ends of the 'feature' and glue to the front and back.
Your headbands are done now. And because they tie on to your head they look just as pretty from the back as they do the front. Tie a few onto a card and give as gift. They even look good enough to not wrap.
and then give them to that cute little pixie you know for her 30th birthday.
yup. adorable.
I feel honored to have been bestowed such lovely hair adornments! I have received SO many compliments and I think I may have to give this instructive site to a few people who were actually trying to figure out how they were made! They are beautiful, thank you!!!
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