Pioneer Reverie Headband Tutorial - Guest Post!

Here is our first guest tutorial!! I am super excited about it - I asked Sabrina a few days ago after seeing another one of her headband tutorials. She makes the cutest stuff, and this one was specially made just for us. Enjoy! :)

Hello, my name is Sabrina from Honor Roll and I am so excited to be guest posting for Ruffles and Roses today! Fall is my very favorite time of the year. Its colorful and cozy and invites all kinds of texture into your wardrobe. Pretty silky camisoles and skirts from summer can still be mixed in with the chunky knit sweaters, scarves and tights of winter. Leather, corduroy and wool replace raffia, cotton and linen. With this headband, I hoped to recreate that autumn feeling - a sturdy leather base softened by a flower of silk and chiffon. Would you like to make one too? Gather some supplies:

3 yards suede cord

scraps of silk/satin/chiffon/tulle (a combination of any of these)

8-12" 1/4-inch elastic cord

2 shank buttons

scissors

needle & thread

sewing machine

iron

hot glue gun (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the suede cord into 6 strips. They should each be 18 inches long. Tie a knot in the end of three strips, secure down with a pin and loosely braid the length of the cord. Again, tie a knot. Now repeat with the other strips.

2. The braids should reach to the back of your ears. Using the elastic to measure, cut a piece of elastic that wraps around the back of your head from ear to ear. Mine is 8 inches long.

3. Cut your scraps of fabric into various sized squares. Fold the square in half and cut to make a circular shape.

4. Layer the fabric circles on top of one another from largest to smallest. Position the button in the center or slightly off-center and sew through to secure. Loop the thread around at least 3 times to make sure the button won't come loose. Repeat to make 2 full and lovely flower blossoms.

5. Next cut two strips of fabric that are at least 3 inches longer than your elastic. Iron the long sides toward the center (starch helps a lot if you're using a silky fabric). These pieces will make up the elastic casing.

6. Sew the two strips together, facing one another, keeping the elastic piece in the middle. It should stretch to fit on your head and the casing with bunch up in the back when its not on. This did not turn out beautiful and thankfully it will be hidden by my hair. I didn't realize how slippery and difficult silky fabrics are too work with!!

7. Now we attach the leather braids to the elastic strap. If you have a leather needle, you can do this on your sewing machine, otherwise you will have to sew it by hand. Hot glue might work too if you have a steady hand. I kept the knots on the outside of the headband, so you can see them behind the ear.

8. Try on the headband to find the flower placement. Hot glue or hand sew one flower to each braid strap. If you sew together the petal edges that touch, this will help keep everything in place when you're wearing it.

9. Voila! You are finished. Wear and enjoy!