Zipper Flowers At Last!

I can now finally breathe a sigh of relief. Phew. My daughter is on her way to having a drawer full of fashionable hair accessories! What took me so long you ask? Well, life just somehow got in the way of me and the very popular zipper flower. No reasonable explanation really, especially since these flowers are totally up my alley—quick, inexpensive and hopefully great looking!

Now I have to say, not every zipper flower is beautiful in my eyes, as I steer away from chunky and bold, so I'm quite happy with my first attempt here, using very fine plastic zippers that don't shout zipper! Okay, the center of the flowers does shout zipper, but just enough, if you know what I mean!

I did some research and didn't find anything to copy, (since many of the big zipper flowers use 24"-36" long zippers, which mine are not) so I'm happy to say that I came up with these two versions myself.  Aren't you proud mom?

You'll Need:

• plastic fine tooth zippers (like for a skirt zipper) about 30cm (16.5") long
• a chunky plastic zipper, about 40 cm long (20")
• knit headbands or the headband of your choice
• a hot glue gun (I got out my mini one, which was perfect.)

How To:

For Blue 8-Petaled Flower: Made from 8 Separate Petals

1. Cut zipper pull off of zipper to separate zipper into two pieces
2. Cut eight 3" lengths, and glue ends of each piece together to form individual petals
3. Glue petals together to form a flower as seen in photo
4. for center of flower, take a small piece of chunky zipper and wrap it around on itself once, securing with hot glue. fold fabric portion of zipper up, and secure with hot glue so that flower center won't be too high. (not sure if that's clear, if not, let me know!)
5. Glue center to flower and then glue entire flower to headband.
6. Have daughter try on and photograph her for your blog or to send to me!

For Beige 6-Petaled Flower: Made from two 3-petaled pieces

1. Cut zipper pull portion off to separate zipper into two pieces
2. Fold zipper to form the first petal and adhere with glue, continue folding the second petal in a figure eight fashion, but instead of folding the second petal opposite the first, fold it to the left or right of the first petal, such that you can then work a third petal on the other side, creating a triangle. (I know, a bit hard to understand, but play around a bit and you'll either get it or come up with your own version!)
3. Make two identical (well, as similar as possible would be good) 3-petaled pieces, and then glue one on top of the other.
4. Make the center by wrapping a piece of chunky zipper in a coil-like fashion, tightly at first and then loosely, securing with hot glue as you go. Glue center to flower, reducing height of center by folding fabric portion of zipper under a bit.
5. Glue flower to headband. See step #6 above.
6. Consider making these as gifts for all the girls, young and not so young, in your life!