Molly's Sketchbook: Rose Barrettes

Roses are so much more varied and exciting than those tight red buds available at every deli and supermarket. I grew up right down the street from the lovely Berkeley Rose Garden and every spring when the garden was in full bloom I loved exploring all the different varieties; from the tiny peppery smelling Cecil Brunners to the opulent pink and peach Tahitian Sunsets. There were purple roses and yellow roses and velvety red roses so dark they looked black. There were fat ones that seemed to have a hundred crinkly petals and delicate ones with only four. It's no wonder that this fascinating flower is such a symbol of romance, and of course of Valentine's Day!

With the big day coming up I designed these little girl's barrettes in celebration of the rose. I liked the idea that they could add a little Valentine's spirit to any outfit but also still be used after Valentine's Day. I used our 100% Wool Felt Bundle in Spice because its rich luminous colors have the same intensity as some of my favorite roses. Sewing these together was a snap and it was so fun watching each flower bloom in my fingers. If you'd like to make some for your little valentine please visit my Rose Barrette Project Journal.

Happy Valentine's Day! --Molly

Comments

[Jeannie]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Have you posted the pattern or location of the pattern for that precious dress?

[Jennifer]

They are gorgeous, I have two little girls who would love some.

[Terriaw]

How sweet these are! I can seeing wearing these myself.

[Dyan]

Thank you for the tutorial. They will be the perfect Valentine's present for my daughter.

[Jackie @ Lilolu]

I don't know what's cuter...the rose barrette or the little girl.

[Brynne]

I have a bald three-month-old but I see no reason why I shouldn't get started making barrettes now!

[logan]

These are precious!!! Thanks for sharing!

[sophie]

When I lived and worked in Berkeley, I loved taking a break at the Rose Garden. I think I may *have* to make some of these clips because they are now connected in my mind to that wonderful hillside place.

[Ruth]

So pretty. How can I pick which color to make? They all look so beautiful together. Do you think wearing all eight at the same time would be too much?

[elsa]

these are so sweet, as is the little girl in the picture! so many things can be done with the rose! thank you so much for sharing! very generous of you!

[Kathleen]

Just adorable! Thank you so much for sharing this. I need to et started right away to make one for each of the Brownies in my Girl Scout troop.

[pumpkin1027]

These are really cute. I've been looking for something to make for my niece and my daughter. Thank you for sharing your idea.

Melanie

[Ashley Schott]

Super darling!

[Mary]

Yes, the barrettes are adorable, but I'm mesmerized by the dress. Sure, it would be relatively simple to figure it out myself, but if there's a pattern somewhere I'd love to know where!

[MissMary]

Love this idea! I've been stewing on one similar and you just gave me some insight into how to execute it! Thanks so much!

[Chrystal]

These are great! I love felt, but I never know what to do with it :) Can't wait!!!

[Katrinehome.com]

Absolutely adore this idea, thinking of using them to embellish a cute little bag. thx.

[fayrene]

I just clicked through to ask about the dress pattern, too! Please share...

[Ann]

The barrettes are beautiful, but I have to say I'm with the others wondering about that dress! Please don't keep us in suspense! Thank you!

[Annee]

The dress was the first thing I was wondering about when I saw that picture! It's had me thinking about how to make a wrap dress for three days now! And the barrettes are now at the top of my list!

[Ellen]

I love that dress - any ideas on the pattern or where to find one like it? I want to make the outfit for my neice for valentines day.

[Stephanie]

Molly, Your sketchbook is a magical place I love to visit, for the sheer beauty and inspiration! Thank you so much for the great tutorials, and sharing your visions with all of us!

[Purl Bee]

The dress is from the wonderful shop Makie in Soho, New York. They have a website www.makieclothier.com. I bought this dress for my daughter a few years ago so I don't believe they still have this style, but perhaps they will make it again someday. Their other designs are just as amazing!

[Kathy]

Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I'm going to make the barrettes for my two-year-old grandaughter, but for my twelve-year-old granddaughter, I think I'll attach the roses to a headband, which seems to be her new favorite hair accessory!

[Norma Pond]

HI, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MOLLY'S SKETCH BOOK. .SHE ALWAYS HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND INTERESTING THINGS. THANKS MOLLY.

NORMA POND

[Jennifer M.]

These barrettes ar so beautiful...I wish I had a little girl. I will make them & give them to a friend @ work!

[shannon]

Gorgeous flowers! And, obviously the dress is striking quite a chord too.... Someone clever needs to design a pattern for a girls' wrap dress and post soon!

[rosalie]

Ozark Handspun yarns is exceptionally beautiful..............i cannot get enough of their choices............i have made two blanket with several yarns..........i am so impressed with my work..............Thank you for listening....ro

[denise (chez danisse)]

Absolutely adorable, especially on your sweet little model. I loved your rose descriptions, they were so nice to read on a day so dreary and grey. Thank you.

[Julie Church]

I had some extra velvet from a project...wasting any small scrap of velvet is a shame...so I was so glad to use up some of the velvet scraps I had with such a beautiful project. I carefully burned all the edges of the velvet with a lighter to prevent fraying then followed the instructions you gave. They turned out so extrodinarily cute. Thanks!

[Lilly]

So gorgeous! and the little model is equally cute! Spring has arrived, yay!

[lynsee (theprettypoppy)]

What a lovely idea! Thanks for sharing such wonderful tutorials with all of us. I cannot wait to make these for my little, sweet girl!

[Georgia]

So very cute! I may have to make these for ME. And I see daisies and violets and all kinds of possibilities!

[rosine]

C est si joli ! les couleurs, la texture..
love it so much

[andreacreates.blogspot.com]

woah,so pretty.thanks for sharing the tutorial :)

[candice]

I made 4 of these last night. The directions are clear and the finished barrettes are so adorable. I am making them as valentines gifts for my daughter and some friends. I am not sure I am going to be able to part with any of them.

[cheryl]

thank you for sharing! they're gorgeous!

[Autumn]

Those are darling! I sure hope I have some girls when I have babies.

[amanda]

Your blogs are continued inspiration to me in my craft.

I have awarded you my Sunshine Blog Award.
See here for information http://uniquelysnowflake.blogspot.com
Amanda.x.

[americangypsyliving]

Love this idea. Would be great to update a hat or headband. I purchased felt from your shop a few months ago and made this flower for my winter coat. I get so many compliments on it! http://www.americangypsyliving.com/2009/10/goodwill-find-diy-felt-flower.html

[Leah]

I made two of these last night, and my 9-year-old is in love with them! The templates are totally fool-proof. What a wonderful project!

[Rachel O'Donnell]

These are so beautiful - I am going to make some to add to my winter hats! Makes the winter a little less dreary :)

[Laura]

Here is an etsy seller that has a similar dress pattern: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39589845
I haven't made it yet, but it's on my list.

[Kizmo]

I just made one of these adorable barrettes. Thanks you SO much for the tutorial. It so easy but turned out so cute!!!

[sarah j]

I made two of these last night for my girls. LOVE Them.. easy peasy lemon squeezy
Thank you!

Sarah

[Hannah, UK]

I made one as soon as I saw this - it's such a great idea and so simple to do! It was meant for my daughter but I have worn it all week!

Thanks for yet another great idea on PurlBee!!

[kimberly]

I love these barrettes! I've already made up two for my niece and I'm sure I'll be making up more as the year goes on for the other little girls in my life. So glad you posted this pattern!

[Heather]

I love these barrettes and want to order the felt bundle in spice, but when I click on the link it appears that you are all out. Will there be more in stock soon?

[purl bee]

Hi Heather,
Yes we will be getting more soon!
If you'd like us to let you know when they arrive please send us an email at the link below and we'll let you know as soon as they are available.

http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact

[Taylor]

I was wondering if you have a tutorial on making the dress shown (I see someone else asked too, but I don't see a response). thanks!