Survey Says...

The polls are closed and it appears there is a tie between hot glue gun and ribbon as the crafting items you could not live without. So I thought, why not feature a craft that uses a glue gun and ribbon as the main materials.

This project was inspired by my friend Jennie who made her own beautiful version for a baby shower gift. I have also seen different variations online. This is my take on a ballerina barrette holder. I made this for my niece Madi, and the colors coordinate with her bedroom.

You will need the following items for this craft: 1) foam core board, 2) material for bodice (about 1/2 yard, depending on how big you choose to make it), 3) 1/2 in. batting, 4) spray adhesive, 5) crafting wire (forgot to include in picture), 6) tulle, 7) a variety of ribbon and trim for embellishment (a larger ribbon for the sash and hanging pieces to clip the barrettes to, a thinner ribbon to cover seams and make the hanger), and 8) a hot glue gun!

First, create a template for the bodice. You could use a little girl's shirt or just draw one free-hand. Trace this twice onto the foam core and cut out carefully with an Exacto knife.

Trace the template onto batting and cut out. Use spray adhesive to attach the batting to one of the foam core pieces.

Set the template on the fabric you choose to use and cut out fabric with a 1 in. border that is larger than the foam core (enough so that you can wrap the fabric around the foam core to make the front of the bodice). Then, in the same way you would re-upholster a chair seat, tightly wrap the fabric around the bodice, securing  it with hot glue on the back of the board. 

Repeat this process with the other piece of foam core, but do not add the batting. The piece with the batting will become the front of the bodice and the flat piece will be the back which will hide the ugly bits.

Next, cut strips of tulle approximately 2 in. wide. I used two different colors, but you can use whatever suits your fancy.

Now take a piece of crafting wire cut to the length of the bottom of the bodice, and create a small loop at one end to keep the tulle from falling off. In whatever pattern you choose, tie the pieces of tulle exactly in half along the length of the wire (when done, this will create a fuller skirt). Finish this step by creating a loop at the other end of the wire to secure the tulle to the wire. Use hot glue to attach the wire with tulle to the bottom of the front piece of the bodice.

Use lots of hot glue to attach the back of the bodice to the front piece, sandwiching the tulle in between. Don't worry about the seam - this will soon be covered by ribbon.

Now my brain wasn't working properly today and I mixed up some of the steps. I made it work but the pictures show the steps I took, so keep that in mind as I describe the remainder of the project.

Take a thin (approx. 1/2 in.) ribbon and hot glue along the top portion of the dress, hiding the seam. Then cut two pieces of the same ribbon equal length, long enough to cover both sides of the bodice and tie at the top so that it can hang on the wall.

Next, create several lengths of ribbon that hang down the front of dress. This is what the barrettes will be clipped to. Use whatever ribbon you want. Then, tightly wrap three pieces of large ribbon around the waist of the dress, neatly securing in the back with hot glue. This will hide the long ribbon hanging in the front and look as if they are pieces of the bow and sash.

Finally, finish off the dress with final embellishments, such as a decorative trim, bows, flowers, buttons, etc.

This is such a cute project and makes a great gift! You can make it as precious or glitzy as you like - all you need is some inspiration and a little girl who likes barrettes!

P.S. - Please participate in my new poll and look for ideas once the majority have spoken!