DIY Pearl Hair Combs for Lily - a year of handmade

My niece Lily is beautiful–willowy, with big liquid brown eyes, long stunning mahogany hair.  She loves to dress in an understated way–grays, blacks, and plums, in solids and stripes.  She is turning 11 (okay, she already turned 11 and I'm late sending the gift, but who doesn't like a late birthday present in the mailbox?).

When I was thinking about making something for her, I couldn't get away from thinking how beautiful the cream pearls would look against her brown hair.  For more easy to make handmade gifts with free tutorials and patterns, check out my year of handmade gallery here, or by clicking below.

So, here they are - this is actually part one of a three-part gift.  Get excited for more jewelry goodies to come. Here is the diy for the combs:

Materials:

3/8" twill tape

2 combs

thread

pearl trim (I got this trim at Joann's)

needle

scissors

Time: 60 minutes

 Cut twill tape to cover the comb length twice, angling ends to meet in the middle.

Sew tape to comb, matching folded edge of the twill tape to the edge of the comb.

Attach the twill tape to the comb with thread and needle by going in between each comb tooth and taking a small bite of the twill tape so you can't see the stitch.

You will come to the back between the same comb teeth, but now cross the next comb tooth and repeat the small stitch in the twill tape. Cross to in between the next two comb teeth, stitch, repeat.

The stitches should look like this. 

The front of the comb should look like this. 

 Measure the pearl trim to fit the comb.

Sew the bottom line of the trim to comb in between each bead. You will be going around the comb teeth again.

 For the top part of the trim, go in between the comb and the twill tape to attach.

Finish off the ends.

  Repeat for a second comb, and finis!

I also loved the gray and pearl next to this robins egg blue tissue paper and box.  Pretty!