How to Make a Snap Clip

Create your own custom snap clips using basic snap clips as a foundation.

Snap clips are plain, inexpensive barrettes that can be purchased at many supermarkets, craft stores and discount stores. Although snap clips themselves are basic, there are numerous ways to customize them, turning them into miniature works of art that can be worn and admired. Creating your own custom snap clip barrettes is simple with countless possibilities and each barrette you create is a unique fashion accessory.

Things You'll Need

• Plain snap clips
• Ribbon
• Craft glue
• Bows, buttons or other embellishments

Instructions

Basic Ribbon Snap Clip

1. Select a ribbon that is as wide as your snap clip. Cut the piece of ribbon so its length is twice the length of the snap clip. Seal the ends of the ribbon with a little glue to prevent unraveling.

2. Open the snap clip. Tuck one end of the ribbon into the open snap clip so one half of the ribbon is inside the clip.

3. Coat the top of the snap clip and the ribbon inside the clip with a thin layer of glue. Fold the free half of the ribbon up and over the top of the clip. Press the two halves of the ribbon together so the glue secures the two halves together around the top of the clip. Allow the glue to dry.

4. Add a button or bow to the wide end of the top of the clip with a drop of glue for additional embellishment.

Wrapped Ribbon Snap Clip

1. Cut a length of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon equivalent to seven times the length of the snap clip. For example, if the snap clip is 2 inches long, cut a piece of ribbon 14 inches long. Fold the ribbon in half and crease the fold.

2. Apply a drop of glue to the thin end of the top of the snap clip. Place the creased fold of the ribbon on top of the glue and press to secure it. The ribbon should be perpendicular to the snap clip, forming a T. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Tuck the right-hand ribbon under the end of the clip and wrap it around the left side of the top of the snap clip. Overlap the ribbon slightly as you wrap it to fully cover the metal.

4. Apply a drop of glue to the wide end of the top of the snap clip. Cross the end of the ribbon over the glue and press to secure it. The ribbon should cross the wide end of the clip and extend to the right. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Tuck the left-hand ribbon under the end of the clip and wrap it around the right-hand side of the top of the snap clip using the same method used in Step 3.

6. Apply a second drop of glue to the wide end of the top of the snap clip, atop the first crossed ribbon, and cross the end of the ribbon over it. Press to secure it into place. The ribbon should cross the wide end of the clip and extend to the left. Allow the glue to dry.

7. Apply a third drop of glue to the wide end of the top of the snap clip, atop the crossed ribbons. Pull the right ribbon through the center of the clip and up over the drop of glue. Pull the left ribbon through the center of the clip and up over the glue, so both ribbons are on the exterior of the clip and extending upwards.

8. Turn the clip over and apply a drop of glue to the back side of the wide end of the clip. Fold both ribbon ends over the wide end of the clip and press them to the back side of the clip so the glue secures them. Trim away excess ribbon if necessary. Allow the glue to dry.

9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 a second time if necessary to cover any exposed metal.

10. Apply a drop of glue to the top of the wide end of the snap clip. Attach a button, bow or other adornment to the clip and press the adornment into the glue to secure it. Allow the glue to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own bows or purchase premade bows from craft or fabric stores.

• Experiment with different colors and textures of ribbon.

References

• Ribbon Covered Snap Clips
• Custom Scrapbook Maker: How To Make a Lined Snap Clip

Resources

• Planning With Kids: Super Easy Button Snap Clips
• The Ribbon Retreat: Free Hair Bow Instructions & Other Projects