DIY & Crafts
DIY wedding: How to make a bridesmaid sash
DIY & Crafts
DIY wedding: How to make a bridesmaid sash
Planning a wedding this year? Find out how to find the perfect wedding dress with our expert tips.
Crafty commitment
2 hours
Solo A-Go-Go
This solo project is great for a lazy afternoon. Set your iPod™ on random play and enjoy an afternoon of "me" time.
Supplies
• 1-1/2-in.-wide double-satin ribbon (you may use thicker or thinner ribbon, depending on the waist measurements of your maids), 1 yd.
• Sharp scissors
• Spray starch
• Iron and ironing board
• Needle and thread to match your ribbon color
• Polyester organza fabrics in the color(s) of your choice, 1/2 yd. each
• Candle and matches
• Faux pearls of various sizes for centers of flowers
• Sequined and beaded appliqué
Take a look at a larger image of the finished craft
Directions
1. To get started, you'll need the waist measurements of each of your maids. Take that measurement and add 8 in. to establish the length of the ribbon you'll be cutting for the belt. Cut each maid's belt from the spool of ribbon.
2. You'll need to starch and iron the belt to give it some stiffness; otherwise the soft satin ribbon won't hold up well as a belt. Spray the ribbon, per the manufacturer's recommendation, and iron.
3. After the belts have been ironed, the ends need to be hemmed so that there are no rough edges visible. This also helps keep the ribbon from fraying. Fold one end of the ribbon over about 1/4 in. Press the iron down on the seam to set it. Repeat on the other side so that you have crisp, even folds. Using your needle and thread, stitch the ends of the ribbon in place with a simple running stitch. Set the belts aside.
4. This is where the creativity begins. It's time to start making flowers. Cut 9 circle shapes from each color of organza. I like using circles from 1 in. to about 5 in. in diameter. I do this freehand because I think it makes more realistic-looking flowers, but you are welcome to trace templates onto the fabric with a fabric pen. I recommend 3 flowers for each belt. You can mix and match colors in each flower or use only 1 color per flower -- it's totally up to you.
Take a look at the illustrated instructions for the DIY bridesmaid sash craft
Page 1 of 2 -- Find illustrated diagrams and designer's styling tips to finish your sash on page 2.
Take a look at the illustrated instructions for the DIY bridesmaid sash craft
5. Once you've assembled piles of circles for your flowers, it's time to start the fun part: melting them! Over an open candle flame (a votive candle works fine here), hold the edge of an organza circle 2 in. to 3 in. above the flame until it begins to melt. The fabric will pucker and turn into itself a bit as it melts (drawing A). This is exactly what you want.
Be careful here! Once the fabric starts melting, it does so quickly and can burst into flame if you hold it there too long. Rotate the edge of the circle around the flame until the whole flower is melted. Repeat for all layers of the flower.
6. Layer the flower petals on top of each other from largest to smallest, and stitch them together in the center. Add 1 to 3 pearls of various sizes in the center of your flowers by stitching them in with a needle and thread (drawing B).
7. From the sequined and beaded appliqué, clip a swirl or other decorative element with a sharp pair of scissors. This will be positioned behind the flower so that it peeks out a bit, adding that oh-so-fun bit of flair and sparkle to your design.
8. To finish the sash, attach the appliqué piece to the ribbon with a needle and thread. On top of the appliqué and just off-center, attach the flower to the ribbon.
Tips and hints
• Organza isn't the only fabric option. Nearly any lightweight polyester fabric can be used. It's important that the fabric is polyester because the synthetic fibers are the ones that melt. Organza, suit linings, some faux taffetas, and silk will work for this project.
• Keep a bowl of water nearby in case anything bursts into flames or you burn your fingers. Go ahead; ask me how I know this can happen!
• I like doing 8 or 9 layers of circles, but you can do as many -- as large or as small --
as you like. I caution that anything under 1 in. is generally too small to do anything with, and anything over 6 in. doesn't hold up well.
Fit your style
Use gingham ribbon and bright, cheerful colors of organza to create a country-wedding adaptation for your bridesmaids.
Price Breakdown
Your Cost
Store Cost
Handcrafted sashes cost upward of $50 at specialty bridal vendors.
Page 2 of 2
Plan the most beautiful wedding you can imagine with expert tips and helpful advice from our special wedding planning guide.
Crafty commitment
2 hours
Solo A-Go-Go
This solo project is great for a lazy afternoon. Set your iPod™ on random play and enjoy an afternoon of "me" time.
Supplies
• 1-1/2-in.-wide double-satin ribbon (you may use thicker or thinner ribbon, depending on the waist measurements of your maids), 1 yd.
• Sharp scissors
• Spray starch
• Iron and ironing board
• Needle and thread to match your ribbon color
• Polyester organza fabrics in the color(s) of your choice, 1/2 yd. each
• Candle and matches
• Faux pearls of various sizes for centers of flowers
• Sequined and beaded appliqué
Take a look at a larger image of the finished craft
Directions
1. To get started, you'll need the waist measurements of each of your maids. Take that measurement and add 8 in. to establish the length of the ribbon you'll be cutting for the belt. Cut each maid's belt from the spool of ribbon.
2. You'll need to starch and iron the belt to give it some stiffness; otherwise the soft satin ribbon won't hold up well as a belt. Spray the ribbon, per the manufacturer's recommendation, and iron.
3. After the belts have been ironed, the ends need to be hemmed so that there are no rough edges visible. This also helps keep the ribbon from fraying. Fold one end of the ribbon over about 1/4 in. Press the iron down on the seam to set it. Repeat on the other side so that you have crisp, even folds. Using your needle and thread, stitch the ends of the ribbon in place with a simple running stitch. Set the belts aside.
4. This is where the creativity begins. It's time to start making flowers. Cut 9 circle shapes from each color of organza. I like using circles from 1 in. to about 5 in. in diameter. I do this freehand because I think it makes more realistic-looking flowers, but you are welcome to trace templates onto the fabric with a fabric pen. I recommend 3 flowers for each belt. You can mix and match colors in each flower or use only 1 color per flower -- it's totally up to you.
Take a look at the illustrated instructions for the DIY bridesmaid sash craft
Page 1 of 2 -- Find illustrated diagrams and designer's styling tips to finish your sash on page 2.
Take a look at the illustrated instructions for the DIY bridesmaid sash craft
5. Once you've assembled piles of circles for your flowers, it's time to start the fun part: melting them! Over an open candle flame (a votive candle works fine here), hold the edge of an organza circle 2 in. to 3 in. above the flame until it begins to melt. The fabric will pucker and turn into itself a bit as it melts (drawing A). This is exactly what you want.
Be careful here! Once the fabric starts melting, it does so quickly and can burst into flame if you hold it there too long. Rotate the edge of the circle around the flame until the whole flower is melted. Repeat for all layers of the flower.
6. Layer the flower petals on top of each other from largest to smallest, and stitch them together in the center. Add 1 to 3 pearls of various sizes in the center of your flowers by stitching them in with a needle and thread (drawing B).
7. From the sequined and beaded appliqué, clip a swirl or other decorative element with a sharp pair of scissors. This will be positioned behind the flower so that it peeks out a bit, adding that oh-so-fun bit of flair and sparkle to your design.
8. To finish the sash, attach the appliqué piece to the ribbon with a needle and thread. On top of the appliqué and just off-center, attach the flower to the ribbon.
Tips and hints
• Organza isn't the only fabric option. Nearly any lightweight polyester fabric can be used. It's important that the fabric is polyester because the synthetic fibers are the ones that melt. Organza, suit linings, some faux taffetas, and silk will work for this project.
• Keep a bowl of water nearby in case anything bursts into flames or you burn your fingers. Go ahead; ask me how I know this can happen!
• I like doing 8 or 9 layers of circles, but you can do as many -- as large or as small --
as you like. I caution that anything under 1 in. is generally too small to do anything with, and anything over 6 in. doesn't hold up well.
Fit your style
Use gingham ribbon and bright, cheerful colors of organza to create a country-wedding adaptation for your bridesmaids.
Price Breakdown
Your Cost
| 1 yd. of ribbon | $5 |
| 1/2 yd. of organza (x3) | $12 |
| Faux pearls (bag) | $4 |
| Appliqué | $6 |
| TOTAL | $27 |
Store Cost
Handcrafted sashes cost upward of $50 at specialty bridal vendors.
| Excerpted from The DIY Bride: An Affair to Remember, copyright 2012 by Khris Cochran. Used by permission of Taunton Press. All Rights Reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher. |
Page 2 of 2
Plan the most beautiful wedding you can imagine with expert tips and helpful advice from our special wedding planning guide.
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