Oh how I love making alligator clips, especially now that my child will allow them in her hair. I made the two shown above in about 15 minutes flat. It only took that long because I was distracted by trash TV in the background. Here is how I do it. First of all, I like to use a single-prong clip, which I order on Etsy, but double-prong works fine, too. And I like them to be partially lined, rather than fully lined, because I need the extra room to add in no-slip grip. Here's what I mean by partially-lined:
So gather up a few items: an alligator clip, some 3/8 inch grosgrain ribbon, Terrifically Tacky Tape (the red stuff) and some Fray Check to seal the ribbon ends (my preferred method). You can get the tape at Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart, that I know of. I like to go ahead and pre-cut the ribbon. Wrap it around the clip to determine how much you will need, and then cut it and seal the ends with a drop of Fray Check. Let it dry for a minute.
I cut two pieces of Terrifically Tacky Tape the length of the ribbon. Smooth the first piece down along the left side of the ribbon (see picture) and peel up the backing. Do the same with the second piece of tape along the right side of the ribbon.
Press one end of the ribbon down onto the back side of the clip, making sure to center it.
Continue pressing the ribbon onto the clip until you have finished lining it. Keep it centered, and smooth and press it flat as you go.
There: now you have a lined clip.
When making clips for fine baby/toddler hair, add something to make the clip "no slip." I use solid white shelf liner that I have only been able to find at The Container Store (fortunately the $5!!! roll will last literally forever). You could also use a little piece of velvet ribbon. I cut a little piece of shelf liner, back it with some Terrifically Tacky Tape and press it onto the ribbon-covered side of the clip.
Apply any embellishments you want with a hot glue gun, and you are finished. Some fun things I've used on clips are: buttons; scrapbooking button brads with the prongs removed; felt shapes; crochet flowers or embellishments; silk flowers, like the one above (it's center is made from a scrapbooking brad); beads; and combinations of these things. Have fun with it, and let me know if you have any questions!
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11 comments:
Thank you! I have always wanted to make my own clips for my daughter and now I can! Woo Hoo!
Awww sweet! I will have to do this, my 2 year old has very thin hair and hates to wear anything in it. I recon we will give these a try. Thanks for the awesome tutorial.
Yea for Tacky Tape! That looks so easy. Where do you get it?
For the non slip we use one side of velcro (I'm sure either would work, but we use the loop side), or foam from the craft store (or Target!). They work great!
I haven't been able to find the clips, though, so what do you type into Etsy? I'd heard Sally's Beauty Supply carries them, but I haven't been in to look.
Thanks ladies. Bonnie -- I get the tape at Wal-mart in the scrapbooking/Martha/craft area. They also carry it at Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Be sure to get the thinner width -- I think it's about .24 inches wide.
That is great....so much easier then how I was doing mine. Thanks for sharing.
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They look so neat and professional. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
I mainly use hot glue to make mine, and boy have I gotten the burns to prove it! I like the idea of using that super strong tape, and I happen to have some that's the right size too. I think I'll have to try this to save my poor fingers! Yours came out really cute, I'm posting mine this Thursday as part of a monthly craft round up using ribbon. C'mon and see them if you get a second!
Great! Thanks for the tute....I've been wanting to make these for awhile, but too lazy to figure it out yet :) Love your blog!
These are so fab! Thanks for the great tut!
I know lots of little girls who I am going to make these for! I hear you can get killer deals on bulk clips from ebay too (cause I like to craft in bulk)!
Hi Ashlee! I posted a link to this project in my Friday Favorites. Thanks for sharing!
So pretty! This is such a fun project! Thanks for the idea!
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