Thursday, January 20, 2011

Fabric Friday: Everythings Coming Up Zippers

Now that I have started making zipper flowers,




I can't seem to stop.

Remember, someone gave me zippers about 10 years ago



So last Saturday, during my garage sale, I experimented and made zipper flowers. I wore one to church Sunday and took some more. I sold the one off of my chest and nearly all that I brought. I have made more and at church last night, I was very popular. Here are the ones that I have made.
























Some are headbands, some clips and some broaches.

Written tutorial: Sorry I did not take pictures.

  1. To make them, I cut the stop off the bottom and upzip. This removes the pull. [I am saving them because I live by the mantra, "Never throw anything away!".]
  2. I now have two parts of the zipper. The size of the flower depends on the length of the zipper.
  3. After much experimentation, my favorite flowers begin by rolling the zipper end that I cut off the stop. I use hot glue to tack it as I roll about 1" of zipper. That is not exact, just roll until you like it.
  4. Now I run a gathering stitch along the cloth edge. I use beading thread, just because I have it. I stitch about 3", pull it up and tack the gathers. 
  5. The next part is just personal preference. I gather a bit and then glue it around the base center roll. Gather some move and glue. 
  6. When I get to the end of the zipper, tuck the end under and glue.
  7. Now I decide if I want to add more zipper to make the flower larger or stop.
  8. When I am happy with the flower, I cut a small round of felt and glue it to the bottom.
  9. I can get creative and add feathers or tassel leftovers or lace or whatever else I can find. Sometimes the craziest things make the best background. I made some yo-yos to go behind the zipper flowers.
  10. The last step is to decide how it will be worn. I glued some to headbands, some to elastic, some to clips and some to pins.
Right now I am selling them for $5 for one flower and $8 for more than one flower. Contact me if you want one. We will have to negotiate shipping if you do not live in the Houston area.

This weekend we are going to Austin to plan Gary's memorial service and 
babysit our grandson.
I will take my supplies and make flowers. I cannot sit still. I have to always be doing something. 








Photobucket





toolsareforwomentoo






Boogieboard Cottage


http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx38/Decormamma/CraftaliciousButton-3-1.jpg

Keeping It Simple







14 comments:

  1. That's a wonderful idea, they are gorgeous. I have a bunch of zippers that I can't use and didn't know what to do with, so I'm going to try this. However I can't remember how to set my machine to do a gather stitch!
    Just a note that your link at remodelaholic is not working. I had to type in your blog address to find you, i don't know why the direct link gave me an error!

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  2. These zippers are some of the best I've seen! I love the ones with the white tulle, too! Thanks for visiting House Revivals -- I do find that the less I visit the craft stores, the more creative I become!
    ~Amanda

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  3. They are all Beautiful!
    Stef
    itsallinmyheadstefsblog.blogspot.com

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  4. So pretty! My fav are the pink ones!

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  5. These flowers are GORGEOUS! I have to try this - I've got plenty of old zips lying around wanting to be made into something!!

    I just found your blog and have been having a good look around. Sounds like you got a lot of your creativity from your mum. I've signed up to follow you - and look forward to being inspired some more!

    I'd love if you linked this project to a weekly linky party I have called A Round Tuit.
    If you're interested, here's the link:

    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/01/round-tuit-33.html

    Hope you have a lovely week!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  6. Wow! I love these zipper flowers you have made Thank you so much for sharing how to make them! I'm putting these on my "must do" list right away!

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  7. Wow, great job on the zipper flowers! Thank you for joining in on Masterpice Monday. Mary :O)

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  8. Now I get it, I was trying to make them with just glue, slip stick is the secret. Thanks.

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  9. if anyone can Help me on my zipper project Supply me with more creative ideas ill be more thankful :)

    Contact me on Nora.alx@Gmail.com

    Thanks.

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  10. You have a cute idea and it is so sweet of you to share it with us. Keep up the good work.
    Texas Bonnet

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  11. Would love to try this idea have about 200 zippers and needed an idea to recycle them :) Do you have a tutorial with pictures?

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