Hair Fascinator 2.0

You know what I hate? Deceptively easy online tutorials--they get me into all kinds of trouble. 

I've blogged before about the DIY Chiffon and Tulle flower from Project Wedding, and how my flower and their flower didn't quite look like they were cut from the same cloth (heh). Let's refresh, shall we?

 Original, then mine in two different fabrics

I know I've done this project before, but the other day I decided I would make my own veil and realized I would be needing a fascinator.  The two flowers I've already made are in the wrong color.  It would appear that I am a glutton for punishment, because I decided to go for round two and try making the flower again.  This time, I documented the process of following this tutorial.

Things you need: chiffon, tulle, a needle and heavy-duty thread, beads for the center, and razor sharp scissors (actually, if you have something sharper than this, that would be better--consider yourself warned).

First (pics 1 and 2) I made a template and traced it from regular paper onto a lightweight cardboard paper (Ever get those heavy card stock junk mailers?  Those are perfect for this purpose) so it would hold up to all the abuse it was about to be put through. Plus, then the template could be used for future adventures in chiffon flower creation.

Next (pictures 3 and 4), you fold your chiffon and tulle into separate stacks so you can cut a lot of layers in one go.  I cut around the edges to trim the excess material, and then cut in between each of the flower petals to create the flower shape. Here's what the original tutorial won't tell you: cutting chiffon, even with super-sharp scissors is no fun. Chiffon is slippery stuff--cut carefully.

 Once all of the pieces are cut (how many depends on how fluffy you want your flower), I layered the pieces of chiffon and tulle (pics 5 and 6) twisting the pieces so that the petals rotated all around, instead of aligning them all perfect in a stack--I found it helped hide the many imperfections.  I did one to one, chiffon to tulle with a layer of chiffon on the top and bottom for ease of stitching. When you have your flower stacked how you want it, secure it by running your needle and thread through the middle. I found it helpful to make an "x" to mark the center, which came in handy for bead placement and petal-shaping (pics 8 and 9).

The original tutorial says to pinch the flower together in the middle and stitch it to make it more flower-like.  I can tell you, this method was not working for me.  I finally figured out that if I stabbed my needle outwards, just up from the center of the flower, and then pulled the stitch tight back and secured it in the middle on the underside of the flower, it would pull the petals in a bit, helping create realistic flower volume and shape (pics 9 and 10). 

When the flower was fluffed to my preferred shape, I added beads to the center for a pop of color.  I had enough layers of tulle and chiffon to make two flowers (Pictures 11 and 12), so I used two different beaded centers.  Also, since I wanted to try different looks, I made the flower on the right with many more layers of fabric than the flower on the left; I still don't know which one I like more.   

I will eventually sew them onto a comb using a whip stitch, but since I don't know which one will end up on my veil yet, they remain combless.

Flower with fewer layers, hair down, then hair pulled back

All in all, they came out great this time, but it remains to be seen whether they will go with my soon-to-be veil!

Have you ever stumbled across a seemingly easy project that turned into a chore? How did it turn out for you?