shake it up baby

Those ribbons that come inside clothes can be really useless can't they? Especially the ones in the armpits on non-strapless garments- I never quite manage to understand how they help hang the items up! Anyway, The Cookie Button & I have started a DIY project together to prove that once the ribbons have been cut out they need not be thrown in the bin! The great thing is that if the ribbons are the same colour as the piece of clothing you have a matching accessory as a result

We'd love other people to take part in the project, just contact either of us :D

Clothes Ribbon DIY

You will need

+clothes (inside hanging) ribbons! Cut them out using sharp scissors and use clear nail varnish to dab at each end to stop them fraying
+beads, buttons, old jewellery, scrap fabric
+brooch/safety pin, chain, key ring fastener; if you wish to create a particular accessory you will need this part, if you're not recycling something old they can be picked up pretty cheaply from a haberdashery
 
 The Bracelet/Necklace
 Pretty Gothic Lolita in style. This DIY doesn't feature it mainly but working with the black ribbon as a base gave me a monochrome colour palette and from there I got a good creative focus!
 I begun by tying a strip of chiffon fabric into a bow around the ribbon.

 

Then I picked a suitable bead and attached it

 

 And the ribbon can be used to strap it to your wrist. Simple as!

Alternatively, it can be attached it to a necklace chain

Bag Charm

This is the easiest, most simple DIY of them all!

 

 

Loop ribbons around where you wish your charm to be and attach beads!

 

Button Brooch  

Again, a very simple DIY!

 

Knot the ribbon through the button but ensuring the safety pin is secured- a blob of glue might need to dry to keep it extra tightly in place. Turn it over...

Tye a bow and HEY PRESTO

As I said, they're all very simple! Hopefully they'll give you ideas though and be sure to check out The Cookie Button's incredible ribbon tutorials (and more, lots of goodies to be found on her blog) she's doing a series and I can assure you that they're all great! :)

Have you got any ideas or uses for those funny, dangly clothes ribbons?