mentioned in the post below. I loved those as a child, but never learned to make them. I was mostly wondering how you fasten the ribbons to the barrette at the top and how you secure the ribbons after wrapping. Thank you!

-Elspeth

I have a book from when I was younger called Braids & Bows. They give instructions for making the barettes you mentioned. I will scan the page as soon as I get a chance.

:D

I have made many ribbon barrettes for my little friends and as a fund-raiser for the church. I found that using a fine gauge wire works easier than thread which I believe the book will show. Just be sure to tuck the wire where it will not catch the hair or poke the wearer! :P

I have made many ribbon barrettes for my little friends and as a fund-raiser for the church. I found that using a fine gauge wire works easier than thread which I believe the book will show. Just be sure to tuck the wire where it will not catch the hair or poke the wearer! :P

I made these for fairs when they were so popular. I also used a thin florist wire to wrap with.

The two most popular barrettes I made were made with balloons and one that had wooden beads.

For the balloons, buy small balloons in lots of bright colors. Stuff each balloon with one cotton ball. Then wrap them onto the barrette overlapping and mixing colors. It's very festive!

For the wooden beads, I bought the big colored beads about the size of a marble. I also bought thick cord in the colors of the beads. Then I would cut a length of the cord about 6 inches, tie a knot at the end, thread a bead onto the cord and tie the cord onto the barrette and hot glue it for security. Neatly tie and stack the cord onto the barrette for a pretty base.

I've also used shoe/boot/skate laces for the ribbon. They are very sturdy and fun. I have even found some lacy laces. I have also threaded wooden and plastic beads onto the laces. The options are endless.

I used only ribbon and wove it through the barrette into a herringbone pattern. Then you leave the ribbon hanging off the end. You can put beads on the ends of the ribbon if you want.

I've looked and looked for a pattern for these, but the only website (from Google search with "herringbone" in it's descriptor) wouldn't load! Figure! ;)

I'll keep looking! :)

*waving franticly*

I too would like to know about these, as I think they were a USA thing...I dont' remember that craze here......other stuff yes, but not these. Also, am on the lookout for things I can make and sell *grins*

Bees

Thank you - I was so glad to see these replies.
I am wondering how you would attach the ribbons or wire to the barrette when you begin the wrapping.
Amanda - I would love to see the page whenever you get a chance.

-Elspeth

Me too, Amanda! I used to have Braids and Bows, but can't for the life of me recall the page you're talking about! ;)

Rachel

There are many different types of ribbon barrettes in the book.... "rosette," "caterpillar," the ballon one Snippet was talking about also. I hope the one I scanned is what you wanted. It might be difficult to read. If you need typed instructions I can type it out for you.

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Apr/20034187616798601621531.jpg

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Apr/20034181267165492090831.jpg

Thank you Amanda. The herringbone pattern that Teacherbear mentioned was the one I was thinking of, but this looped one is very pretty too (and I think the slip knot they show might work for the first fastening on the herringbone as welll.)
I am excited to give this a try.

-Elspeth

I remember making the herringbone braid type barrette, and I think the ribbon was just doubled over at the starting end, so that you were braiding with the two ends, and when using two colors, you alternated which color you were braiding in...that probably makes no sense...hmmm...I'm racking my brain to remember...

I'm not sure what the herringbone pattern for the barrette looks like :?
:?: Is the ribbon braided? :confused:

Thank you - I was so glad to see these replies.
I am wondering how you would attach the ribbons or wire to the barrette when you begin the wrapping.

How I did it when I was young - you take the "bar" barrettes (has 2 stripes of metal on the top with an opening in between, and the back bends slightly to the side and goes back under a "lip" to close), and take a thin piece of ribbon - you center the ribbon under the top of the barrete at the "hinge" end. You bring each end up, and then take them down through the slit in the middle, crossing the ends (left end goes to the right, right end goes to the left). Then you repeat process until you get to the open end of the barrette, and make a knot at the end - then whatever ends are left over can simply hang. You don't need to attach the ribbon to the closed end of the barrette, because it's not going to go anywhere *grin*...

I used only ribbon and wove it through the barrette into a herringbone pattern. Then you leave the ribbon hanging off the end. You can put beads on the ends of the ribbon if you want.

I've looked and looked for a pattern for these, but the only website (from Google search with "herringbone" in it's descriptor) wouldn't load! Figure! ;)

I'll keep looking! :)

Those are the ones I had Tbear, very easy to make. The barrettes were the metal :shock: :D ones with the open stip down the center.

Thank you - I was so glad to see these replies.
I am wondering how you would attach the ribbons or wire to the barrette when you begin the wrapping.

How I did it when I was young - you take the "bar" barrettes (has 2 stripes of metal on the top with an opening in between, and the back bends slightly to the side and goes back under a "lip" to close), and take a thin piece of ribbon - you center the ribbon under the top of the barrete at the "hinge" end. You bring each end up, and then take them down through the slit in the middle, crossing the ends (left end goes to the right, right end goes to the left). Then you repeat process until you get to the open end of the barrette, and make a knot at the end - then whatever ends are left over can simply hang. You don't need to attach the ribbon to the closed end of the barrette, because it's not going to go anywhere *grin*...


Yes! That's how I made mine. To make the ribbon stay in place to begin, I tied the ribbon to one end with one knot (like when you are about to tie your shoes). It held well enough for me to start weaving.

You can tighten the ribbon a little bit and/or push it up toward the starting point to make the weave tighter.

I LOVED those.

That's the one! Huzzah!!!

I am all set to try this tonight or tomorrow.

I actually saw these recently when watching a Seseme Street song video with the girls. That skit must have been taped back then. Ah...memories.

However, nothing will make me want to wear deely-bobbers again (those head bands with small springs attached like antennae with all sorts of odd things at the end...like pinwheels. Yikes!)
:D

-Elspeth