Easy Peasy Barrette Tutorial

 Ok so here is the long awaited (maybe) barrette tutorial, I know only a week later than I was suppose to post.  Anyway this is a very simple project that only requires a hand full of materials.  The only thing to keep in mind is if you want to make tiny ones for babies you will have to order those.  I haven't seen them in any store but they do have the bigger ones, although they are much cheaper online.  I ordered them from Trimweaver on Etsy, the shipping was fast and prices very reasonable.

Now on to the tutorial.  It's very picture heavy because it's more of a look and see kind of project, it's hard to explain sometimes.

Materials:

alligator clips (also called french clips)

3/8 inch wide ribbon

glue - you want something that holds quickly so hot glue or a quick grip glue are good 

 **I used Quick Grip all purpose glue and find it works perfect for this.  There are no strings like in hot glue and it grips very quickly but also is movable for a bit if you have to adjust something.  Also one of the cheaper ones!**

scissors

embellishments

Instructions:

First open the clip and place a dot of glue inside way down by the spring.  Attach ribbon, hold until the ribbon stays.

 

  

Next place a dot of glue on the end of the clip, both inside and outside.  Making sure your ribbon is even go down the inside edge, turn the corner, close the clip and go down the outside edge.  By closing the clip it will help hold the ribbon in place until the glue holds.

It's hard to see but this one shows where the glue is.  Place some on the very tip, then at the other end put a bigger dot.  You can also put a very small amount in the middle if you want to make extra sure.

 

 This is what you barrette will look like so far.

 

 Now this is what I think is the most difficult part (although not hard).  You want to put a decent dot of glue on both sides of the inside of the spring part, the part you push to open the barrette.  This has to be a generous dot of glue but take care not to get any on the spring in the middle.  Line up the ribbon and using one of your fingers just push the ribbon down and hold your finger there until secure.  Below shows what it should look like.

  

 Now just place some glue on the outside and down the top side of the clip and attach ribbon.  After the ribbon is glued to the top fold the ribbon over the bottom of the barrette to "measure" where to cut and cut the ribbon from the spool.  This is demonstrated below.

  

 Place some glue on the inside and finish lining the barrette.

  

 All that's left to do is embellish!  You can use anything for this, silk flowers, felt shapes/flowers, beads, buttons or my newest obsession:  fabric flowers.  I googled to find a tutorial on these and found a great one HERE at Pink Paper Peppermints.  They are super easy and come together very quickly.  The "hardest" part is cutting out and ironing all the squares.  My other newest obsession are fabric covered buttons!  I have always thought they were cute but now I simply can't get enough!!  

I made this fabric flower up today and used it on my barrette.  The result was CUTE!  I cracked the code on crocheting hearts and flowers with the intention to use them on the barrettes but now I have fallen in love with something else.

  

 This is the back side.

 

 And finally find a beautiful little girl to wear it!