What You Make of It – Dime Store Chic – Make a Lush Holiday Corsage By Elizabeth Holcombe Fedorko
I
love making these ribbon corsages! They remind me of back when one of
my great aunts or grandmothers would wear this holiday "bling" on their
coats!~~These corsages are delightfully over-the-top and really make a
statement if worn on a jean jacket or tote. They are very easy to make
and can be designed to suit any holiday or occasion. Here's how to make
one…or dozens; it's up to you!
First gather some supplies:
You'll
need four lengths of two different colors and/or textures of ribbon. I
chose four seven inch length of 1-1/2 inch wide vintage gold and new
pink grosgrain ribbons. Mix and match colors or you may chose to use
one color. You'll also need four lengths of thinner ribbon (I chose
gold and pink satin ribbons at 1/4 inch wide). What goes in the center
of the corsage is up to you. If you can find them, aluminum light
reflectors make great "trays" to hold the vintage and new bits and bobs
for your corsage. Also gather flocked birds, millinery flowers,bits of
tinsel, small ornaments, plastic flower beads, and anything else you
can think of. It's your choice!
You'll also need needle and
thread, glue (I like Scotch quick-dry adhesive because of the precision
tip), scissors, a fabric scrap, iron-interfacing scrap, and a pin
backing.
Here's the first step. This is easy. I promise…
Sew right sides of your ribbon together with about a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out.
Then, step two (see? I told you this is easy)…
Criss-cross
the ribbons, hand sewing them together. I like to stitch them in pairs
and then stitch the pairs together. Running stitches in a circle in the
center of the ribbon loops make the loops stay together very well. Make
sure the seams are in the center and not on the outside of the loops.
Then, on to step three…
Repeat
the criss-crossing with the narrower ribbon, over lapping contrasting
colors over the wider ribbon, and sew down near the center. Then take
your aluminum reflector and sew it down–this puts it tighter against
the ribbons than glue, but you make choose to glue the reflector down
if you feel it will be secure. Instead of a reflector, you may make a
"Yo-yo" of ribbon by making a running stitch along one side of a ribbon
loop and gathering the ribbon until you have a circular ribbon Yo-yo.)
Now, step four, the really fun part!…
Glue,
glue, glue you vintage bits and bobs down, layering millinery flowers,
bits of tinsel, ornaments, a plastic flower, beads, and the bird. You
may layer your items first in a small dish without gluing, of course,
to get an idea of how to place them on your corsage. You'll not want to
stop adding your items once you get started, and that's the hardest
part, stopping. Just remember you can make another and another and…
The final step!…
Iron
on a scrap of interfacing onto your fabric scrap. Cut out with
decorative pinking or scalloped scissors. Sew on pin back and make a
little tag, because you are proud of your creation, I just know you
are! Glue the backing down, allow it to dry completely, and then wear
your creation with pride!
Elizabeth Holcombe Fedorko, aka Bethsbagz, began her
checkered crafting career when at four she realized using paste on paper was
better than eating it. Inspired by vintage dime store treasures, vintage
fabric, and a no-fear attitude toward color, Beth crafts totes, pin cushions,
wreaths, and corsages into her Dime Store Chic creations. Beth would love you
to take a peek into her whimsical world at her blog.