Yay! It’s DIY Day! I am so very excited to share this new DIY from the amazing Sarah Montes with you all! I know you all will love this is one and I am definitely going to try out for myself!!
Happy summer, lovely readers! Today’s DIY might be my favorite so far. It’s bright, summery and appeals to my girly sensibilities! I’m going to show you how to make dip-dyed ombre lace jewelry that you can customize to your wedding colors. These little pretties make great bridesmaid’s gifts, or even a special piece for you to wear on your big day. This project will take you an afternoon, but you can make multiple gifts at once! Let’s get to it!
Supplies:
-Lace trim by the yard or on a spool – 1/2 yard should make approximately 4 pieces of jewelry (you can get this at Hobby Lobby, Joanns, etc.)
-A pair of fine tipped, very sharp scissors
–Fabric paints/dyes (make sure they will work on natural or synthetic fabrics)
-Various chain, jump rings, clasps, earring hooks or other jewelry findings and a pair of small pliers
-White glue (Elmers or a craft/fabric glue will do)
-Small flat paintbrush
-Small empty container, such as an empty yogurt cup. Something you don’t mind getting dyed!
-Plastic plate or palate paper
Step 1: Begin by picking out motifs or shapes you like in your lace trim. Using the scissors, carefully cut around the shapes, making sure you don’t cut any threads that make up that shape, or it can cause it to unravel.
Step 2: Once you have a few different shapes you like, start laying them out, making pretty motifs that you can easily attach together with glue or jump rings, or even a couple stitches if you like. Take a picture so you remember your designs before you start dying!
Step 3: Take one of your empty containers and pour a small amount of paint/dye in, about a tablespoon. You may need to dilute it with some water if it is thick. You want it to be about the consistency of chocolate milk – a heavy liquid. Wet your lace pieces with water, and dab with a paper towel so they aren’t dripping. They should be wet enough to spread the dye when you dip them, so you can get that ombre fade. Using the pliers, dip a lace piece in the dye, up to the point where you want it to start fading. You should be able to see the color spread up the wet piece of lace. If you dip too much, just try again with another piece. You won’t be able to remove dye, but you can always add more!
Step 4: Once you have all your pieces dyed the way you want, either hang them or lay flat on a paper towel so they can dry. Give them about an hour or two to make sure they aren’t damp anymore.
Step 5: Next, pour some glue into an empty container, and dilute with a small amount of water, until you have a spreadable consistency. Don’t add too much water, or it won’t stiffen the fabric. Spread your dry, dyed pieces on a plastic plate or palate paper. Use your paintbrush to paint the glue mixture on, and let dry. You may need to do more than one coat. By painting on the glue, it makes the lace stiffen up a little bit, and helps prevent any fraying or unraveling on the cut threads. You can also use fabric stiffener if you prefer.
Step 6: Once the glue has dried, remove your lace pieces and start attaching them with jump rings, chains, ribbon, stitching or even gluing them together! Whatever works best for the designs you chose. Add earring hooks or any other findings you need to make them into wearable pieces of jewelry.
Voila! Lovely little details like these are what makes a wedding truly unique! Give each girl a different motif and color, or leave some pieces white to pop against brightly colored dresses. Either way, your bridesmaids will love these pretty accessories, and will cherish them long after you say “I do!”
Have fun and stay crafty! Until next time, my lovelies!
How great is this little craft?? They turned out amazing and there are so many great ideas you can make with these!
