Weekend DIY - Ampersand Brooch

Saturday afternoons are just perfect for a quick, relaxing and crafty DIY when you are feeling a little creative. I love to wear brooches and they are so fun and super easy to make, so I thought I'd share one of my favourites, a simple felt ampersand brooch.  It's the perfect little piece of typography to add to any outfit.

What you'll need: An image of an ampersand.  I just typed one on a blank word document and printed it out at size 180.  You will also need a piece of felt in the colour of your choice, embroidery cotton in a contrasting colour, craft or fabric glue, a brooch back (available at craft stores) a pin and needle and a sharp pair of small scissors.

1 & 2. Cut out your template image and using a pin attach it to a piece of felt large enough to handle and cut around easily.  Carefully cut around the image, taking care with creating the middle holes.  Take your time and make sure your scissors are sharp. When you have cut around the whole image unpin the template.

3 & 4. Repeat step two so that you have two ampersands the same size. Using a tiny amount of glue, stick the two ampersands together.  This just makes it easier for you to stitch around the shape and reinforces the brooch. 

5 & 6. Take a few strands of embroidery cotton to create a nice thick stitch and then hand stitch around the edge of the ampersand.  Don't worry if your stitches are different lengths, this adds to the uniqueness of your brooch.

7 & 8. When you get around to where you began, finish off and knot the thread at the back.  Stitch on the brooch back diagonally onto the back of the brooch.  Tie off the thread and you are done! 

 

Ta Da! It's that simple! Make them in any colour and size you like, experiment with your favourite letters, initials or symbols. The possibilities are endless with a little bit of felt and a brooch back.

Happy Creating!

xxx