How to: Make Frida-Style Braids

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite artists: Frida Kahlo. I've been wanting to post this tutorial for awhile now, and the occasion of her birth is the perfect opportunity. Here's a simply way to dress up your hair using an old T-shirt, tie-dye, and scissors. But first, some images of those inspiring braids from the queen of the Mexican art scene, who would be turning 107 if she were alive today...

Happy, Shiny Pixie Headband!

I attended a photo shoot recently and was inspired to make this headband after I saw a similar one in the stylist's stash of goodies! While hers was glittery gold and mine is iridescent (I also doubt that hers was fashioned from an old T-shirt sleeve), it's the Lady-liberty-inspired shape that's so compelling to me.

I mean, it's so bright and sunshine-filled (and a little prehistoric?), and I have to admit, though I was begging for cool temperatures back in the heat waves of July (and couldn't be happier that nature has complied!), the shorter days are already threatening to change my mood. I'm already missing the sun! This happy, shiny, pixie headband brightens up the day wherever you are.

Materials:
-T-shirt sleeve (or T-shirt scrap of equivalent size)
-scissors
-Tulip Fashion Glitter transfer sheets
-ballpoint pen
-ruler
-Aleene's Fabric Fusion
-warm iron and pressing cloth-blank headband (preferably metal rather than plastic)
-Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in gold metallic (optional)
-toothpick (optional, to use as a paint applicator)

Make it:
1. Cut out the underarm seam of the sleeve, and lay it flat, right side up. Measure, mark, and cut two 1 1/4"-wide to 1 1/2"-wide strips from the iron-on transfer sheets.

2. Sandwich the two strips together and cut out a series of triangles from one edge (through both layers), leaving a zigzag that runs the width of the strips.

3. Separate the strips and align them along the straight edges, about 3/8" apart. Use a pressing cloth and iron the strips onto the fabric.

4. Make parallel cuts through the fabric, separating each pair of triangles from the row of zigzags.

5. Determine how many rays of sunshine you'd like (I debated between 5 and 6, and ultimately went with 6), and arrange them evenly around the arc of the headband. Working one ray at a time, spread fabric glue evenly along the inside of the headband, and wrap the flexible fabric piece around the headband, lining up the triangles. Apply glue evenly to the inside of the strip of fabric and press the triangles together (the triangles should seal beyond their edges).

6. Finish gluing each ray, and let them dry flat. (Note: If the fabric is pulling apart, use a clothespin or paperclip to pinch it while it dries.)

7. When the glue is completely dry, trim the fabric to the edges of the triangles.

8. As an optional finishing touch, apply the metallic paint carefully with a toothpick along the fabric edges of the rays. Let it dry.

9. Try on the headband to spread a little sunshine both indoors and out!

Softie Headband (with T-shirt Scraps!)

Yes, Thanksgiving is nearly here, but I'm already fast forwarding straight past the food coma to the holiday parties! And there is really nothing like a bit of proper party headgear to make a grand entrance. Bring in bright tones to battle the cold weather--or, ooh! add glitter to your project to really sparkle in the season!

Materials:

-1"-wide T-shirt strips of varying lengths (in complementary shades)

-Aleene's Fabric Fusion Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive

-fabric scissors

-1 fabric-coated plain headband (preferably with a metal base)

-clothespins

-straight pins (optional)

Select one T-shirt strip (a T-shirt hem works well -- just cut off the stitching and stretch it out), squeeze a dab of Fabric Fusion on the inside end and fold it over on itself.

Gently squeeze more glue around the outside of the fold and coil more fabric into the glue.

Continue gluing and coiling until you have a 1" to 1.5" fabric disc. Then snip the end at an angle and apply a bit of extra Fabric Fusion to make sure it flattens against the edge of the disc.

Repeat to make seven to nine more discs! Optional: Use straight pins to keep the ends of the coils in place while they dry.

Arrange the discs in a pattern you like and glue them together where they touch. Let the panel dry.

Apply glue along the top edge of the headband and gently press the panel of coils against the headband.

Clip it in place with clothespins (so you don't have to hold it). Let it dry.

Wear it hair up or down!

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Ex-Boyfriend T-shirt Remix with the Tulip® Girls

The Tulip® Girls are at it again in the iLoveToCreate studios! In this video, watch as Chloe and Allee use Tulip® One-Step Fashion Dye™ and scissors to show you how to transform an ex-boyfriend's old t-shirt into one that will get you a new one!

Here's some fun behind-the-scenes pics!

Allee is the queen of tie dye! She's always coming up with new techniques!


Allee also created the cool sign seen at the beginning of the video!

And here's the inside of that fab Tulip® Fashion Graffiti™ hat that Chloe decked out! She shares it in the video but didn't show us the cool detail shown here. Didn't it turn out cool?

The Tulip® Girls will be back next week with an exciting DIY adventure so stay tuned!

Craft on! Click here for today's daily giveaway!