Removeable Suffolk Puff Hair Clip

An easy way to recycle magazines and brighten up a boring hair clip (Inspired by Jennifer Collier)

Posted by Lucie S.

About

For my A Level Textiles book i have been looking at "The Environment" and part of that includes recycling. We have been looking at artists that use items around the home to make jewellery and accessories. Jennifer Collier makes Suffolk puffs, among other things. I've used what she does to make a removable hair clip accessory.
In this tut I have used paper but fabric worked just as well (especially felt)

I would love to see versions of this, get creative and use some unique materials

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • 1 Large Snap On Hair Clip
  • Mixed Bead(s)
  • Felt
  • Round Template(S)

Steps (9 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Collect your paper/fabric

    I printed off some coloured paper because i wanted certain coloures and didn't have any spare paper lying around
    But using magazines or dying your own paper is more rewarding.

  2. 2

    You'll need some ROUND templates, i used the lids off some round boxes.
    Try and get a variety of sizes

  3. 3

    Now draw around your templates.

    If your paper is stiff I suggest scrunching it up untill its softer, this will make step 5 easier.

    Next cut out the circles.

  4. 4

    Take your needle and thread, and tack around the edge(tacking means large loose stiches, spaced about 5mm apart),the thread doesn't need to be too thick and you don't want to do it to close to the edge, again about 5mm away will do.

    This is the firt puff i did for this tut and i found that its better to have the thread coming out of the side you want to display, as it creates a better pleate

  5. 5

    Once you've gone the whole way round, carefully pull the thread while keeping your thumb in the centre. This helps it keep its shape and stay even all the way round

  6. 6

    Tie a couple of knots with the two ends of thread, then cut excess off.

    As you can see all three I have done are different, with felt this is less likely to happen as it keeps its shape better.

  7. 7

    Now to make something to put your puffs on
    Cut a felt shape out, the shape is up to you it just depends how you want to arrange your puffs
    Once you've got your shape we'll need to make a loop to hold it to the clip.
    I hope the picture is obvious enough because i can't really explain it.

  8. 8

    Next sew/glue the puffs on. I used a dab of PVA glue to hold them in place then stictched through the middle.
    Be carfull not to stitch through the felt loop when you do this

  9. 9

    The next bit if optional, but i think it livens up the clip.

    Sew some beads on, mine are in the middle because of the placing of my puffs. Place them where ever you feel its needed.
    if theres a gap in the middle of your puffs, try adding a button.

    And thats it, make some more so you can change them when you please :]