Make This:

Flower Headband

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After seeing editorials and runway shows full of flowered headbands I decided I needed one.  I made this delicate version from some pretty mulberry paper flowers in a range of purple shades with a dark purple satin ribbon to cover the headband.

 

Using 1/8” ribbon is faster, but 1/16” ribbon gives you more control over the precise placement of the flowers.  Mulberry paper flowers are often sold with scrapbooking or floral supplies in craft stores.

 

Store it somewhere that is protected from dust because it’s tedious to clean.  Also be careful not to get it wet.

 

Supplies and Equipment:

  •  narrow plastic headband (smooth and without teeth)
  •  mulberry paper flowers – flowers on wire are easier to use than on thread.  The headband shown used about 55 flowers.
  •  1/16 or 1/8 inch satin ribbon
  • E6000 glue
  • scissors

1. Put on the headband, measure where you would like the flowers to be.  You won’t want them in the section that tucks behind your ear.  This may also be affected by the way you style your hair.

 

2. Cut the ribbon end at a 45 degree angle.

 

3. Glue the ribbon end on the back of the headband, let it set up for at least 15 minutes.  You want it to be in a position to start wrapping around the headband as close to the end as possible.  If you’re using a single sided satin ribbon be sure the pretty side is out.

4. Start wrapping the ribbon around the headband, overlapping it slightly and gluing it on the back of the headband, until the point you’ve decided to start your flowers.  Again give this some time to set up.  Make sure that every wrap of ribbon is glued in place.  You may be experiencing some web-like glue stands, try to minimize them as much as possible and you can clean off whatever is left when you finish the headband.

5. Prepare your flowers by bending the wire at a 90 degree angle to the front of the flower.  This is so that the flower will face up when the stem is tucked under ribbon.

6. Place a flower on top of the ribbon that’s already wrapped with the stem on the unwrapped part of the headband.  You can use a bit of glue to hold it if you need to.  Wrap the ribbon around the stem, and glue it on the back.  If you’re using 1/16” ribbon you’ll need to wrap it one or two more times, if you’re using 1/8” ribbon you probably won’t.  Add another flower, wrap again.  You might need a flower for every wrap, or more flowers/wraps depending on the materials you are working with and how densely packed you want the flowers to be.  Continue placing flowers and wrapping until you get to the point at the other end of the headband where you want the flowers to end.

7. Wrap the ribbon the rest of the way, continuing to glue it in place on the back of the headband, until you get to the end.  Cut the ribbon and firmly glue the end of the ribbon on the back of the headband.

8. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before wearing.  E6000 glues ribbon to plastic, it will do an even better job of gluing things to your hair.