Fashion DIY project #2 : A flower head band

How to make a flower head band

Level of difficulty: Easy

Things you will need:

• A long ribbon or material


• A pair of scissors


• Needle and thread

Step1

 Select the ribbon or material that you wish to turn into a beautiful flower head band. This should preferably be hemmed. I used this ribbon that I found somewhere in my mother’s closet.

Step 2

Fold in one end about an inch from the edge. Turn the ribbon over and fold in the other direction the same length as the first fold. Turn over the ribbon again and fold the same length in the direction that you started with. Continue this process until you can count at least six folds. When you are through folding, ensure that the first raw end and the end that continues into the ribbon face the same side. The result will be something that looks like a fan. 

Step3

Now take a threaded needle and pass it through the ‘fan’ as close as possible to the top or bottom edge but midway through the one inch width. Pass it in one direction and then back in the other. This makes it secure but do not make it too tight.

Step 4

Using a pair of scissors, cut along the end where the folding stops. This should separate the fan from the ribbon. You should have two raw edges that face the same direction.

Step 5

Open the fan and join the two raw ends. Stitch along the edge to join them together. This leaves you with a pretty flower. If you made it this far then the hardest part is over.

Step 6

Take the flower you just made and stitch it onto the ribbon that you cut off in step 4. I would advice stitching the flower at some off centre point so that when you tie your ribbon the flower lies somewhere on the side.

Now you can tie that head band, check yourself out in mirror and marvel at your handiwork. Congratulations.

 I wore mine to disguise a bad hair day that I was having and it worked like a charm.

DIY- Ruched sleeves

It may seem a little late to do a post on ruched sleeves but it seems that this trend is here to stay.

These sleeves give even the most drab outfits an interesting twist, call it a splash of style.

Bold ruched sleeves help balance wide hips and to camouflage thick upper arms.



How to make your own ruched sleeves.

Level of difficulty: Easy

You will need:

• A garment with sleeves


• Needle and thread


• A pair of scissors


• A piece of chalk or marker


• Tape measure
  

step 1: Identify an item of clothing that you wish to jazz up with ruched sleeves.

This could either be a top, blazer or a dress. It should have a considerable length of sleeve and the sleeves should be considerably wide.

step2: Turn your garment inside out. Lay the sleeve on a flat surface ( I like to use our kitchen table). Mark a line, approximately half an inch (or less depending on the width of the sleeves) from the outer end of the sleeve from the lower edge up to about 2 inches from the shoulder seam. This will give a puffy shoulder effect. You can go all the way to the seam if you like.





step 3: Thread you needle and knot it at the end all set for action. Do a neat line of running stitches about this size ( ____ ) along the marked line. You should come up with something like this,










Running stitches- the easiest way to explain these is to call them in and out stitches, run your needle in and out along the line.

step 4: Once at the end of the line hold the thread taut and gently scrunch the fabric down the thread to form creases along the entire length. Now make a few tiny loops to secure the thread and prevent it from coming off then cut it.





step 5: Turn your garment right side out to reveal your new self designed ruched sleeves. Its really that simple. :)





(The other sleeve in un ruched for contrast.)

Kudos for a job well done.

This exercise is bound to leave you feeling proud of yourself.. Go ahead, why don't you try it.

xoxo,

Styl.