Creating Wedding Flower Hair Clips: A Simple Guide

Flower hair clips are a beautiful accessory for a wedding and can be made easily at home. You can use both real or artificial flowers, depending on your preference. If you're using artificial flowers, you can either buy them or make them yourself using materials such as fabric and beads. For real flowers, it's best to opt for sturdy varieties like chrysanthemums, mums, or daisies. You will also need a few simple supplies, such as hair clips, glue, and scissors, to create your own flower hair clip.

Choosing flowers: real or fake?

When making a flower hair clip for a wedding, you can use either real or fake flowers. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two:

Real Flowers

If you decide to use real flowers, choose a sturdy variety such as chrysanthemums, mums, or daisies. Delicate flowers like pansies and bluebells are not ideal as they are more difficult to work with. You will need to cut the fresh flowers off their stems, trimming as close to the base as possible to make it easier to glue the flowers onto the clip. If you are using tiny flowers like baby's breath, you can keep them in small bunches instead of trimming them down individually. Real flowers will also need to be free of insects and cleaned before use.

Fake Flowers

Fake flowers are a good option if you want to make your hair clip ahead of time, as they will not wilt or need to be kept hydrated. When choosing fake flowers, look for ones with flat backs or bases, as these will be easier to glue onto the clip. You can also pull the flowers off their stems and trim down the plastic nub at the base to create a flatter surface. Like real flowers, you can use fake flowers of different sizes and arrange them from large to small or use all the same size, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Combining Real and Fake Flowers

It is not recommended to combine real and fake flowers on the same hair clip, as this can create an uneven surface and make the arrangement look less cohesive. Instead, choose one type and create a uniform base for gluing onto the clip.

Preparing flowers: cleaning, trimming, and melting edges

Preparing flowers is an important step in making a flower hair clip for a wedding. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to cleaning, trimming, and melting the edges of your chosen flowers:

Cleaning:

It is essential to ensure your flowers are clean and free of any dust or insects, especially if you are using real flowers. Gently wipe or brush the flowers to remove any dirt or debris. For real flowers, carefully inspect the blossoms and leaves to ensure there are no hidden insects.

Trimming:

For fresh flowers, use sharp scissors to cut the flowers off their stems as close to the base as possible. Discard the stems. If using fake flowers, remove them from the stem and trim down the plastic nub at the base. Again, discard the stems. If you are using small flowers like baby's breath, keep them in small bunches without trimming them down completely. You can also choose to save the leaves to use as fillers in your hair clip.

Melting Edges:

If you are using fabric flowers, such as chiffon, polyester, or satin, you can create a unique melted edge effect. Cut your fabric into circles slightly larger than your desired final size, as the melting process will cause them to shrink. Light a candle, and hold the fabric circles approximately 1-2 inches (2.54-5.08 cm) above the flame. Rotate the circle slowly until the entire edge is lightly singed and melted. Be cautious and adjust the distance from the flame as needed to avoid burning the fabric. Once you have melted the edges of all your fabric circles, you can stack and sew them together to form your flower.

Attaching flowers: gluing, stitching, or pinning

When it comes to attaching flowers to a hair clip, there are several methods you can use, including gluing, stitching, or pinning. Each method has its own advantages and can be chosen based on the type of flower and the desired level of security. Here is a detailed guide on each of these methods:

Gluing

Using glue to attach flowers to a hair clip is a simple and effective method. It is important to choose the right type of glue for this process. While a hot glue gun can be used, it is recommended to use a glue specifically developed for flower-making or fabric glue. PVA-based glues, such as soft and hard PVA glue, are commonly used. Soft glue is ideal for gluing parts onto a backing, as it dries slowly, allowing for adjustments. Hard glue, on the other hand, is perfect for assembling flowers and dries quickly. When working with glue, it is essential to work in a well-ventilated area and follow safety precautions to avoid burns.

Stitching

Stitching is another popular method for attaching flowers to a hair clip. This technique provides a secure hold and is suitable for various flower types, including fabric flowers. To begin, you will need a needle and thread that match the colour of your flower. Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end. Then, push the needle through the centre of the petals, starting from the bottom flower, and pull it out from the top. Next, push the needle back through the petals and tie a knot at the bottom to secure the flower in place. This method is ideal for creating a sturdy and long-lasting hair clip.

Pinning

Pinning is a quick and easy way to attach flowers to a hair clip, especially if you want to be able to remove and change the flowers easily. You can use a safety pin to secure the flowers to the clip. This method works well for fresh flowers, as it does not require gluing or stitching, which could damage the petals. Simply slide the safety pin through the flower and the hair clip to hold them together. This method allows for quick adjustments and changes, making it ideal for those who want to experiment with different flower arrangements.

Adding decorations: beads, rhinestones, or ribbons

Adding a few decorations to your flower hair clip will make it stand out and look even more special. Here are some ideas for adding beads, rhinestones, or ribbons to your hair clip:

Beads

• Choose a pretty bead, such as a pearl or a crystal bead, and sew or glue it onto the centre of your flower.
• If you're making a silk flower, you can sew or glue on a bead, button, rhinestone, or sequin.
• For a fabric flower, cover the hole in the centre with a large button, bead, beak, or plastic rhinestone.

Rhinestones

• Glue tiny rhinestones to the centre of your flower for a subtle sparkle.
• If you're making a custom flower hair clip, you can add a rhinestone or crystal bead to the centre of your flower.
• Rhinestones can also be added to the leaves of the flower or the hair clip itself for extra sparkle.

Ribbons

• Glue a strip of ribbon to the top of the clip to hide the metal.
• Glue several long strands of ribbon to one end of the clip.
• If you're using a barrette clip, glue some ribbon to the underside of the clip so that it hangs down when the clip is in your hair.
• You can also glue or sew a ribbon to the flower itself, either at the centre or as part of the petals.
• If you're using a real flower, consider wrapping the stem with ribbon before attaching it to the clip.

Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create a unique and beautiful flower hair clip!

Drying and setting: allowing time to dry and set

Once you've glued your flowers onto your hair clip, it's important to allow them enough time to dry and set. Depending on the type of glue you use, this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. For example, hot glue tends to dry much faster than craft glue.

If you're using hot glue, be careful not to touch the glue or the flowers until it has cooled down, as it can cause blisters. It's also a good idea to keep a bowl of water nearby in case any part of your project catches fire.

If you're using craft glue, such as E6000, make sure you give it plenty of time to dry before handling your flower hair clip. This type of glue can take several hours to fully cure, so be patient and try not to rush the process.

During the drying and setting process, it's important to keep your project in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture. This will help prevent the glue from becoming brittle or losing its adhesive properties.

Once your flower hair clip is fully dry and set, you can further enhance its durability by spraying it with a fixative, such as unscented hairspray. This will help protect the flowers and keep them from losing their petals.

Frequently asked questions