Materials And Supplies

2 packages rick rack braid

2 small ornaments—rhinestones, pearls

Duco cement 2 earring backs sewing thread size 40

Tools

pair of sharp scissors sewing needle size 5

You can make these attention getting rick rack ear rosettes in a matter of minutes. Choose contrasting or harmonizing colors or the glitter type, if you prefer. They are light as a feather to wear and inexpensive to make. In the photograph the pair on the left was made with rose color underneath and white with silver on top: the pair on the right was made with aqua underneath and black with gold on top. Both pairs have rhinestones.

Procedure

1. Place two pieces of rick rack, each having at least eighteen points, together with the main color or glitter rick rack on top. Match the top points as you work. Thread the needle with double thread and make a knot at the end. Working from right to left, leave the first double point at the right free. Commence sewing on the second double point of your rick rack, insert the needle directly under the point from front to back so that when you draw the thread the knot remains on top. Bring the needle through the next point from the back to the front. Continue in this manner, from front to back and from back to front through a total of sixteen points. Leave the needle on the thread. Study the diagram to be sure your work looks the same. Cut the rick rack a full point away from the sixteenth point

Figure 42. Working Detail of Rick Rack Earrings.

2. ;Gather the rick rack by pulling the two ends of the thread together and tying securely with four knots. Shape into a circle to form a rosette. There should be eight petals on the top layer and seven on the lower one. The rosette should have no more than one eighth inch opening in the center, or no opening at all. On the back of the rosette, hold the four remaining edges together and wind thread around them near the base three times, and knot three times. Sew the cut ends with small stitches so that the ends will not ravel.

3. ;At the front of the rosette, place a drop of cement in the center and then lower the rhinestone or pearl into it. Be careful that no cement touches the face of the rhinestone or pearl. Allow at least five minutes for the cement to set.

4. ;Place the rosettes face down on the table. Fill the cups of the earring backs with cement and place a drop on the backs of the rosettes. Wait a minute until the cement becomes tacky. Place the earring back on the rosette with the sewed parts at the lower end of the metal. Hold them together for a minute until the cement sets. Allow at least thirty minutes for the cement to dry before handling again.