How to Make Your Own Fabric Flower Bridal Hairpin

Make chiffon flowers in colors that coordinate with your bridal bouquet.

Weddings are expensive and the little odds and ends, such as hair accessories, all contribute to the cost. You can create a feminine floral hair accessory from a little bit of chiffon and a bobby pin for an inexpensive bridal embellishment to cherish long after the special event. Make a single large flower to hold back a small section of hair for a simple hairstyle or make a variety of miniature chiffon flower pins and place them strategically throughout an intricate hairstyle.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Flower stencil (optional)
• Scissors
• Chiffon fabric
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Fabric glue
• Imitation gemstone or rhinestone
• Bobby pin

Instructions

1. Trace a five-petal floral shape onto a piece of cardboard. You can use a flower stencil or draw the flower freehand. Cut out the shape to use as a template.

2. Fold the chiffon fabric in half and then in half again. Continue folding until the chiffon is at least 10 layers thick for a small flower or 20 layers for a large flower. Insert sewing pins around the edges to keep the layers from shifting.

3. Lay the cardboard flower template on top of the chiffon and trace around the cardboard. Cut out the shape through all layers of the folded chiffon.

4. Place the chiffon flower shapes on top of one another and arrange them so the petals from one layer are not directly on top of the petals from the layer underneath.

5. Sew a few stitches through the center of the pile of chiffon layers.

6. Pinch the center of the flower from the underside to gather the flower into a slightly cupped shape and sew through the pinched area to keep the shape.

7. Apply glue to the back of a rhinestone or gemstone and press it against the top, center of the chiffon flower.

8. Hold the flower over top of a bobby pin. Sew a stitch in the underside of the flower, wrap the thread around the top of the bobby pin and sew another stitch. Repeat until you have added at least 10 to 15 stitches, depending on the size of the flower.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add layers of tulle in between the chiffon for a stiffer flower that you can give a bit more shape.

References

• "Veiled in Beauty: Creating Headpieces & Veils for the Bride": 2002
• "Make Your Own Hairwear: Beaded Barrettes, Clips, Dangles & Headbands"; Diane Baker; 2001