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    The Gilded Girls

    Velvet Shamrock Headband Tutorial

    Velvet Shamrock Headband Tutorial

    Thank you for joining us for this very special project!

    We absolutely love hand-dyed silk velvet, and a delicate handmade floral headband is always a good idea, don't you think?

     

    ShamrockHeadband

    You could make this one over and over in lots of different colors...

     

    SPDHeadband.2

    Gather up some simple materials:

    A plain metal headband, or any other of your choice

    Small amount of velvet (we like silk velvet, but rayon will do). You could also easily use felt!

    Piece of rhinestone chain, separated into 7 individual stones

    1 yard rayon seam binding or ribbon of choice

    Needle and thread

    Pair of sharp scissors

    Pair of shears or wire cutters to cut rhinestone chain

    Marking pen or pencil

    Glue. (We used a bit of Tacky Glue and a bit of hot glue.)

    *If you do use a hot glue gun, it would be very helpful to use a small one or one with a needle-nose in order to keep the glue very controlled.

     

     SPDHeadband.3

    With your headband and the length of seam binding, apply a dab of glue as shown.

     

    SPDHeadband.4

    Fold the seam binding to the front and press down.

    Pivot the bottom as shown so that you can cover the bottom of the band.

     

    SPDHeadband.5

    Fold and wrap as shown, and begin to wind around the band.

     

    SPDHeadband.6

    Overlap about 1/4" as you wind, keeping the wrap tight.

    Continue all the way around the band, and finish with another folded wrap. Apply a dab of glue to the inside edge and press down securely.

     

     

    SPDHeadband.7

    Print the PDF of the shamrock shapes in regular copy paper or cardstock, and cut them out. The two patterns are slightly different sizes, and the velvet is two sightly different colors, which will help to provide texture and interest. *If you only have one color fabric, a simple tea or coffee dye bath will give enough contrast. 

    You will need 7 flowers in all, so choose from the two colors of green which one will have 4, and which 3. 

    I cut out 4 of the smaller ones, so that the design would begin and end with them. I also used a regular ballpoint pen to mark the pattern, so I was careful to cut inside the line. A great (better) choice for marking would be a disappearing-ink pen, but mine seems to have literally disappeared...

     

    SPDHeadband.8

    All cut out! 

     

    SPDHeadband.9

    To give the clovers some dimension, take a needle and thread and run a simple stitch in a small circle, as shown. The color of thread will not show, so any neutral will do.

     

    SPDHeadband.10

    Pull into a gather, making sure that the resulting "pouf" comes to the back.

     

    SPDHeadband.11

    This will leave a perfect spot in the center for the rhinestone.

     

    SPDHeadband.12

    Ready for their closeup! 

     

    SPDHeadband.13

    Decide where on your headband you would like the clovers to live.

    I started 4" up from one side and carefully hot-glued a smaller one to the band, and then alternated back and forth for all 7, keeping them fairly close together so that the petals overlapped a bit. My last clover landed about 6-1/4" from the opposite side.

    Keep the glue to an absolute minimum so that you cannot see it from underneath.

    Carefully hot glue or TackyGlue the rhinestone centers.

     

    ShamrockHeadband 

    Wear it proudly on St. Patrick's Day, and since we have specifically designed it not to look too "holiday", enjoy it throughout the year!!

    Let us know in comments if you have any thoughts or questions.

    xoxo

    Debbie, Shea, and Stella

    The Gilded Girls™

    What Stella Wore™

     

     

     

    Glittery Shamrock Tutorial

    Glittery Shamrock Tutorial

     

    A few years ago, I was so inspired by my friend Vanessa Valencia's blog, A Fanciful Twist, (as always), and a darling glitter shamrock tutorial that she had posted. We emailed back and forth about it, but I never got the chance to actually make it that year. It was layered and sparkly, and it has been in the back of my mind ever since...

    I don't see the tutorial on her blog any longer, so this is my version of what she inspired. It is not a replica, just an homage to a wonderfully creative soul. Thanks, Vanessa. We glittery Shamrock-Heart you!! xoxo

     

    It always surprises me what can be done with just some paper and a little bit of glitter!

     

    Clover2

    Here are the materials I used. After I took this photo I realised that the tiny bottle of Tacky Glue had wandered off, so just pretend that it is there also. :)

    The paper is a very lightweight chipboard. This piece was actually from a stack of scrapbook paper. It is the cardboard they use between every 20-25 pieces when they are packaged. You could also use a file folder, a cereal box... anything about that same weight.

    You will also need the pieces cut from the PDF provided at the bottom of this post, small scissors or a craft knife, small paintbrush, green glitter (this is German glass glitter, but there are other fabulous glitters available), a lightweight white glue for glittering, a heavyweight glue for attaching the pieces, and of course the "bling".

    You will also need a small amount of craft paint. You can either match the color of the glitter or use a metallic, as I did. This is "Glorious Gold" from Deco Art, which is definitely my go-to paint.

    Finally, we will be using a small rhinestone button or jewelry piece. The one I used is an old earring.

     

    Clover3

    Trace and cut out your 4-leaf clover pieces. On the smaller one, I cut off and discarded the stem. Using my craft knife very gently, I made a shallow "score" line across all petals to create dimension. Be careful not to cut all the way through!

    Paint your pieces front and back and allow to dry. (I used a small desktop fan to speed up the process.)

    Glitter only the front side of the larger clover. (I plan to use this as a pin, so I don't want glitter on the side that comes in contact with clothing.)

     

    Clover4

    It will look like this on the back side.

     

    Clover5

    Glitter both sides of the smaller clover.

    As you are working with the paint and glue on the carboard, there will be moments when it  seems too "soft", especially when you are treating both sides at once. This is why it is important to let it dry a bit between steps. When the glitter is applied and it cures completely, it will really stiffen up nicely. So be patient! :)

     

    Clover6

    When completely dry, stack the two pieces and use your heavy-duty glue to attach. You can use a glue gun for this step if you wish.

    It appears at this point that there are two different colors of glitter. It is simply a shadow being cast on the bottom layer.

     

    Clover7

    Finally, attach your bling!! Almost finished........ just one last touch.

    I will be attaching a pin back to this and proudly wearing it for St. Patrick's Day!

    Get the PDF for this project HERE. Let us know if you make one!!

    xoxo

    Debbie, Shea and Stella

    The Gilded Girls™

    What Stella Wore™

     

     

     

     

    Looped Blooms Tutorial

    Looped Blooms Tutorial

     

    If your "Gift List" is anything like ours, it remains a constantly moving target...

    As families get bigger, and friends get added to a guest list for parties, there always seems to be a last-minute need for just one extra gift. If the extra gift is of the feminine variety... we just might have you covered! 

    LoopFlower.8This is a super-simple, last-minute, made from what's on hand, lovely gift that looks like it took forever! But these flowers are so easy that you could make two or three in varying sizes, and present a bouquet to your guest!

    These were made from a piece of chocolate wool-blend with a metallic thread that gives a sophisticated, tweedy look. They could be fashioned from any woven or even knit fabric. Try to imagine what your recipient would like, and look through your fabric stash or pile of old clothing waiting to be upcycled!

     

    LoopFlower.1All you will need is a bit of fabric, some glue and a clip or pin-back. A sewing machine is optional, but it does make the process very quick.

    Here is what we started with, although we ended up using different buttons for the centers, and we didn't use the metallic floss :)

     

    LoopFlower.2We cut our fabric into pieces:

    2-1/4" x 18" (we will call these the narrow strips), and 3-3/4" x 18" (wide strips).

    Fold your fabrics strips lengthwise and stitch along the long edge. You can use a straight or zig-zag stitch instead of an overlock. A light colored thread was used here so it would be easier to see. You can also glue if you do not wish to sew.

    You will end up with 18" long "tubes" that are open on each end.

     

    LoopFlower.3With sharp scissors, cut "fringe" along the fabric lengths. We cut the wider pieces slightly larger (5/16") than the more narrow ones (1/4"), as you can see in the photo.

     

    LoopFlower.4You will simply roll and glue along the sewn edge, until you get the size flower you desire.

    The flower on top is one length of the wider fabric, rolled and glued.

    The flower on the left is two strips of the wider fabric, achieved by adding the second one to the end and continuing to roll and glue.

    The flower on the right is two strips of the narrower fabric.

    The flower on the bottom is one strip of the narrow, followed by one strip of the wider.

     

    LoopFlower.5Two wide strips.

     

    LoopFlower.6One narrow strip, one wide.

     

    LoopFlower.7Two narrow strips.

     

    LoopFlower.9Add a clip or pin to the back. You could also add a felt circle before attaching the clip.

     

    LoopFlower.8Add an embellishment of your choice to the center of two of the flowers. The ones on the right don't seem to need anything in the center, so they would be the easiest of all to complete!

    Think about using a second color fabric for the center strips for added dimension and interest.

    In addition to pins and hairclips, use them on packaging, on Christmas stockings, on a tote bag, as napkin rings... the possibilities are endless!!

    xoxo Debbie, Shea, and Stella

    The Gilded Girls™

     

    Rolled Rose Fabric Flower Tutorial

    Rolled Rose Fabric Flower Tutorial

     

    This remains one of our most popular blog posts ever! It features a VERY easy way to make a fabric flower, and we think this technique lends itself especially well to soft, velvety fabrics. Super quick, and requires NO SEWING!

     

    VRose8

    Supplies Needed:

    3" x 30" Pink Velvet

    3 Vintage Pearl Buttons 

    Fabritac™ Glue

    3" Felt Circle

     

    VRose

    Cut your fabric across the width, approximately 3" x 30".

    This size fabric piece will produce a flower 3-4" in diameter, depending on how tightly you roll.

     

    VRose2

    Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, and fold one end down at a 45 degree angle.

     

    VRose3

    Make two tight turns in the fabric. This forms the center of the rose.

     

    VRose4

    Now begin "rolling" your fabric as you circle around the center. By rolling, you are changing the raw edge of the fabric from top to bottom. Make about a half-turn around your rose shape each time.

     

    VRose5

    Continue circling around, rolling at each half-turn. Gently cup the flower in your opposite hand as you go.

     

    VRose6

    You will end up with a beautiful, cabbage-style rose!

     

    VRose7

    Using your glue, attach the felt circle to the back. It is easiest to apply the glue to the back of your flower while still holding it, and then gently press it into the felt. Attach a pin back or hair clip (or both), if desired.

     

    VRose8

    Finally, glue your three pearl buttons to the center for a truly vintage look. Gorgeous!!