My obsession with usamimis continues, they’ve FINALLY made it over to mainstream fashion here which is pretty funny but I much prefer to make my own especially because they are pretty expensive. I did a tutorial a very long time ago on making an usamimi which I’ll be updating with some new instructions and a video next week but in the mean time I wanted to show you the variation on the usamimi which I’m loving at the moment…
The thin lace ribbon!
These are so very simple to make so let’s get started 😀
You need:
First thing’s first, decide how long you want the usamimi to be and cut the lace to that length. Lay it flat on a table and place the ribbon over the top in the center like this. If you prefer you can pin it in place. Stitch down either side of the ribbon so it forms a tube with the lace. You want to get as close to the edge of the ribbon as possible so it looks neat and tidy. Sew one of the ends shut too but leave the other open as we’ll need to shove the wire in it. You should have something like this… Now cut a length of wire which is a few inches longer than the lace. Fold the end of it over and twist so it forms a loop like the photo below. This loop will stop it poking out of the ends between the stitches. Poke it into the tube between the lace and ribbon. Thread it through all the way until you reach the other end of the lace. Twist the other end of the wire into a loop as well. Poke the wire in so it’s completely inside the tube and stitch it shut with some thread. Taadaa! you have a very pretty and versatile usamimi which you can use in the traditional way or in so many other ways because it’s basically a bendable piece of lace. I’m very tempted to make a bunch of these in different colours because they’re a really good way to top off an outfit 😀 |