I was lucky enough to be able to contribute this little tutorial to yesterday’s Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco Art & Craft Fair program, and here’s the full-color detail version to go along with it!

What is that, you might ask? Well it was made as a zipper pull for the Forest Tote (below), but it can be a Christmas tree ornament (ooh!), a decorative element strung on a branch in your home (aah!), ummm…just something cool to look at?! Eh heh heh.

Here’s how to pull one together for yourself. Feel free to substitute materials as desired!

Materials:
All materials can be found at most major craft stores such as Jo-Ann’s or Beverly’s.

• 2 scraps of 5″ x 4″ corduroy
• 1 scrap of 5″ x 4″ fleece or batting
• 12″ length of suede lace
• Leaf template (pdf) (or draw one freehand!)

Tools:

• Sewing machine with zig zag stitch capability (I used a 5mm stitch width and 0.35mm stitch length)
• Sharp fabric scissors
• Thread in a contrasting color
• Pins

Steps:

1) Sandwich the fleece between the two layers of corduroy. The right sides of your corduroy should both be facing out. Trace around the leaf template onto the top layer of corduroy (or freehand if you prefer!), leaving a 1/2″ border all the way around. Pin in place to keep things from shifting around while you sew.

2) Put your sewing machine in zig zag mode. Starting at the top of the leaf (the pointier end), begin stitching. Continue all the way down one half of the leaf to the other pointed end, stopping with the needle on the outside edge of the leaf. With the needle down, lift the presser foot and pivot your fabric so that you can continue stitching up the other side of the leaf. Backstitch to secure threads.

3) Fold the suede lace in half and position the looped end in the center of the leaf. Place your presser foot at the pointed end, on top of the suede lace. Stitch all the way down to about 1/4″ below the looped end of the lace. You may need to tug gently at the lace to move things along. Backstitch several times to secure everything in place.

4) Using sharp fabric scissors, trim around the perimeter of the leaf to cut your Leafy Zipper Pull out. Two important notes! 1) Leave at least a 1/8″ border of corduroy around the outside of your leaf to avoid cutting into the thread, and 2) at the top of the leaf, fold the lace down so you don’t accidentally snip it off!

5) Knot the end of the suede lace, trim all your thread tails, attach to whatever pleases you and VOILA! — your very own Leafy Zipper Pull. Congrats and thanks for playing!

Similar Posts:

• How to add a zippered pocket to your handbag
• DIY shelf curtains!

Popularity: 3% [?]