Sewing Pattern Twinkle Lights

Here's the other paper-flower project I was telling you about. It's the same idea as the Fiesta Flowers in the previous post, except this time I used old sewing patterns.

{a quick note about sewing patterns: I heard someone say that cutting up and using sewing patterns for other things made seamstresses cringe. I understood the point, but there are thousands of old sewing patterns for about 25 cents a piece at thrift shops from shore to shore. So, I'd like to think of this as recycling and repurposing patterns that would otherwise eventually get thrown in the trash.}

I already had this strand of Candylights that I had gotten last year. See the pink silicone tips? I thought they would make nice little centers for the flowers. They come in several different colors too.

So, for each light, you need to cut a strip of paper 40" long and 2" wide. I used a scalloped scissors for the top edge {you can see it there in the picture} and a straight scissors for the base of the flower that will be covered with floral tape. Fiskars makes metal scalloped scissors, and they are awesome! Once you use them, you will throw away the plastic decorative scissors that cut through 5 sheets of paper before they lose their edge. If you like scallops, these are worth buying. {Sorry, I can't find them on the Fiskars website for some reason. I hope they still make them!}

Anyhoo, so you just gather and wrap the paper around the base of the light bulb until there's no more paper left to wrap. Then secure it all together with white floral tape. So easy!

I have them strung around a mirror at the moment, but they'll probably move into my craft room eventually.  I really really really love these lights. Beige is one of my favorite colors {does that mean I'm boring?} and sewing pattern paper is such the perfect shade.

 

This photo is awfully dark, but the sun was so intense, it was like my camera was wearing it's sunglasses to block out the light. It wouldn't capture a bright picture. I'm sure there's a technical photography term for this, but in any case, it was frustrating. You get the idea though. :)

 

I told George I loved these so much I wanted to wear them like a big ridiculous necklace. He just looked at me. He's used to it.

Comments

[Michele Carlon]

Do you have to worry about fire hazard though? They are so pretty. Would love to do it, but am worried.
Michele

[Lydia]

WOWZER these lights are so festively,cool...and yes U can still purchase these Fiskar scisors ..I bought my pair last month at our Walmart!!

[Vanna J]

I love this idea! Have you discovered how long you can keep the lights on is there any danger with the small amount of heat from the lights? I would like to put them in my 7 year old girls room.

[Debra Blean]

I LOVE these lights. I am hanging them above my double doorway that has a hanging beaded curtain. It will looks glamours. Thank you so much!!!!!Deb

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[lindamay]

great idea and looks great too. any patterns that I have I don't wish to cut...so I'll have to trek to the local SCRAP store and find some patterns.
thx

[Jan]

I came across your site while searching for vintage sewing patterns and yes I did cringe. You might make the suggestion to your readers to check the value of a sewing pattern before they start their shredding process. Some of those patterns that fetch a meager 25¢ in a resale shop may sell for $50 to a collector on an auction site. I have seen some patterns reach $100. This isn’t just for patterns dating back to the thirties, one example is a pattern from 1994 which sold for $38.97 on June 14, 2011. I am not knocking the novelty of your design, I am merely saying be wise when choosing which patterns to shred. Especially when a pattern is still in the original factory folds - meaning it is still folded as if it just came from the factory and has not been cut/used. Don’t assume the shop owner knows what they have and has priced it accordingly. On that note find some patterns that have a billion copies in circulation and shred away with glee :)

[jacqueline ramos]

amei essas flores
são lindissimas
parabens
vou fazer pra minha casa
bjos

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