Thursday 23 April 2009

birthday badge tutorial

I was making birthday badges yesterday for some friends, and thought it might be fun to share how.


Cut three circles, a fabric circle approx 9 cm across, then two felt circles each a bit smaller than before.


using bonda web, or wonder under, or some other magic adhesive, cut out some numbers of a contrasting fabric and stick them centrally onto the fabric circle.


sew tiny seed beads all over the numbers to make them sparkly.


turn over and sew a running stitch around the edge. I tend to use a doubled thread for this so that when you pull it tight it's less likely to snap.


cut a circle of card that will be the final size of the badge. I cut a 5cm circle of card.



layer the fabric beaded side down, the larger piece of felt, and then the piece of card.


pull the running stitches tight, to gather the fabric around the card.


sew across the back of the badge, criss crossing the stitches to hold it all in tight.

sew a badge back onto the smallest piece of felt, and then sew this onto the back of the badge.
sing happy birthday loudly in your most tuneless voice. xx

15 comments:

  1. What a great idea and you could adapt this in so many different ways.

    I wouldn't have to try hard at singing in a tuneless manner - so I've been told! (ahem) I just mime along these days to save the embarrassment - mainly mine!

    Have a lovely day,

    take care,

    Nina x

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  2. oh i love this and need a birthday for someone soon!!! i am good at the tunless singing already though ;-)
    Lesley x

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  3. Oooh, very nice. Professional looking finish on the back - where do you buy your brooch fasteners? As you know, I am still using safety pins!

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  4. Hello there!

    What a lovely idea!! I might have to borrow that one for myself :) Love the sparkliness on the numbers!!

    Love J xxx

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  5. That looks lovely

    hard work though

    can we not just write the numbers on their foreheads?

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  6. Lovely! I can see lots of possibilities for this ... x

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  7. Completely stunning!

    But you lost me at the "sew tiny seed beads all over..." part, I must confess. Wouldn't that make my eyes cross? Or just make ME cross??

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  8. Very cute!! Love the sparkly beads--nice extra touch! Happy weekend ((HUGS))

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  9. Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing this with us........... My Niece and Nephew, and some adults I know would love one of these.
    And referring to yesterdays post, I imagine that could be the perfect way to offend people, not break the ice............
    Have a lovely weekend!
    Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)

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  10. What a lovely tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Hope you enjoy the course too! No doubt there is a good mix of people on it. I love the sea fret pics and the fossils too. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

    Sheila

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  11. What a great idea, thanks for sharing I will have ago at making one of them!
    Love Lou xxx

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  12. Those are lovely - and I still enjoy wearing the little beaded brooch you sent me many moons ago!

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  13. Beautiful badge..love the beadwork! :)

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