Friday, September 17, 2010

Bobbin Baubles

Hi, gang!  This is a flower ornament anyone can make! You won't need any special tools - or, in fact, any tools at all. Here goes:

I call it the Big Bold Bobbin-flower Bauble. 'Cause it's made from a sewing bobbin. It's kinda big and splashy - but I hope you think it's cute.

Start with a bobbin, some jump rings and fifteen little shirt buttons.


If you prefer, all your buttons can match. But a mismatched-yet-harmonious collection makes a really cute flower. When choosing the jump rings, keep 2 things in mind: they should be large enough to reach across from your button to your bobbin, and thin enough to open and close by hand.

Open a jump ring by swiveling the two ends sideways. (Don't pull the gap straight apart.)


Add a button; attach to one of the bobbin holes. Then swivel the jump ring closed.

Fill all ten holes on one side of the bobbin - that's ten buttons. Here's how it will look at the ten-button stage:

On the opposite side, do every other hole - that's the final five. It gives a layered look if the five on top are a bit smaller than the ten on the bottom.

You know what? You could stop right there! I think this is kind of a cool look, featuring the naked bobbin:


But if you desire, go on to one final step - adding a button centerpiece. Pick out something to compliment your flower.

Grab a little piece of twine or cord and thread it through your centerpiece button. Run it down through the center of the bobbin...


Then just thread the two ends through a couple of opposite bobbin holes, meet them in the middle and tie them off. Like this:


Now you're totally done! That's your Big Bold Bobbin-flower Bauble.

See how changing the centerpiece changes the look?


There are a million ways to use your bauble. Just a few strategic stitches will secure it to whatever needs be-baubling. (I'm sure that's a word, right?)

A watch strap...


Cute hat...

Wide cuff bracelets...


Vintage purse!


If you have something that's metal or mesh, like this chain link bracelet...

...use jump rings instead of thread to attach your bobbin flower. Even faster and easier than stitching it on.

Okay, that's it - hope you liked it.


p.s. The chocolate and vanilla-colored cuff bracelets? I made them from a deconstructed tennis ball.

6 comments:

  1. yes i recall this one... so pretty those bobbin baubles! so buttony, beauteous and bodacious too. they make me happy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember these too.. they are really cool!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember those too. You really come up with the most unique ideas.

    BTW I just awarded you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That post is how I first found your blog --a favorite ever since! I have the bobbins and jump rings in a baggy waiting for me to come back from the thrift store with *just the right buttons*...will send a picture when it happens!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You take repurposing unconventional things to a new level. I think I might try this one soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  6. love it! do you have any more bobbin crafts?

    ReplyDelete