Twirling Betty's Fabric Clips

Use your favourite fabrics to make these sweet clips.

Posted by Christen D.

About

These little clips kicked off the whole shebang for me.

Back when I came up with these in 2007, twirling betty didn’t even exist. All that existed was my daughter’s crazy baby hair: a mohawk at the top and mullet at the back. I christened it (the hair, not the child) a momullet.

Sick to death of twee clips for little girls in predictable pinks, I decided to have a go at making my own. And these clips were born.

Share

You Will Need (3 things)

  • Hair Clip(s)
  • 1 Tacky Glue Or Fabric Glue
  • Your favourite Fabric

Steps (16 steps, 20 minutes)

  1. 1

    Gather your supplies. Ah tacky craft glue - let me count the ways I love thee.

  2. 2

    Cut fabric strips 10cm x 2.5cm (1" x 4").

  3. 3

    Place a line of glue just below the half way point of the width of your fabric.

  4. 4

    Fold one edge of your fabric into the centre and smooth lightly with your finger to flatten fold.

  5. 5

    Fold other edge in, smooth down and then place small dollops of glue at each end of the strip.

  6. 6

    Fold both short edges in.

  7. 7

    Use clips to secure fabric while it dries. Allow about an hour at the very least.

  8. 8

    I am holding the clip upside down in this shot because it is easier to glue that way. SO, you put two small dollops of glue on the underside of the TOP prongs of the clip.

  9. 9

    Glue the end of the wrong side (ie the side you don't want to be seen)of your fabric strip to the dollops. In this photo the clip is now up the right way ie, you're looking at the top of it, and the fabric is trapped between the two prongs.

  10. 10

    Generously smother the back of the clip with glue.

  11. 11

    Fold the fabric strip over the end of the top prong and smooth down over the glue, centre-ing it as you go.

  12. 12

    Generously cover back of clip with glue but only down so far as the fabric will reach once it's pulled over.

  13. 13

    Glue last bit of fabric to back of clip and pull firmly to reduce bulging when the clip is pinched together after it's dry.

  14. 14

    Use other clips to secure fabric firmly while glue is drying.

  15. 15

    Admire your pretty clips all in a row.

  16. 16

    Pop one on your kid and smile smugly at how clever you are. Maybe fist pump the air a bit if you feel it's warranted. Don't scare your child though.