Ponytail Holder - jcaroline creative

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Instructions for Ponytail Holders

Shown above far left: 1 1/2" button covered in Michael Miller's Truffle Graceful Vine; middle left: 1 1/2" button covered with blue seersucker and pink flower applique; middle right: 1 7/8" button covered with black velvet and small plaid bow applique; far right: 1 1/8" button covered with Michael Miller Pink Daisy Flower.
Materials Needed: piece of fabric at least 3" x 3" 3" x 3" piece of light fusible interfacing such as Pellon 911 You Cover Buttons ponytail holders 20 guage craft wire (the color doesn't matter as it will only show on the back) wire nippers (get them out of your toolbox, or use the smaller beading ones) pliers (again, the ones in your toolbox are fine, but beading pliers are easier to handle)
Step 1: With a pair of pliers, grasp the loop of the button shank. Carefully pry up the end of the button shank with a screwdriver. Be very careful and aim the screwdriver away from you-- it's easy to slip and stab yourself. Once you have pried up the end, you can straighten it with your pliers and then pull that end through the hole. Once one end is out, you can manuever the other end out with the pliers.
Step 2: Using wire nippers, cut a piece of wire about 3" long. Bend the wire in half to create a loop and slip the ponytail holder into the loop. Insert the ends of the wire through the holes on the button back. Make sure the ponytail holder is on the correct side of the button back. The ponytail holder should be on the side of the button back where the edges are bent towards you (like a pie plate right side up). (Yes, I put together several on the wrong side and it was very difficult to pop the buttons together.)
Step 3: Using pliers, twist the wire on the back side until the ponytail holder is snug against the button. Don't overtwist, as you can break the wire. Nip the wire ends to about 1/2" long and bend flat against the button.
Step 4: Choose the piece of fabric you would like to cover your button. Press a light interfacing to the back. This keeps the shine of the button from showing through, especially on thin cottons.
Step 5: Using the pattern on the back of the kit packaging, cut your fabric to the appropriate circle size. If you are going to machine embroidery your fabric, don't cut it yet. In fact, you'll have to make sure you have a piece of fabric large enough to put in your hoop. However, if applying appliques, it is easier to position the applique in the center of the circle already cut. If you lost the pattern on the back of the packaging, the dimensions are below.
Step 6: If adding an applique to your fabric, iron or sew it on now. With iron-on appliques, I don't worry about stitching it down as the ponytail holder won't be washed and as long as you create a secure bond, ironing is good enough.
Step 7: If you have an applique or monogram on your fabric, I suggest using a spray adhesive and then positioning the fabric on your button cover. This prevents the design from shifting off center when you assemble the button.
Step 8: Place the button cover and the fabric on the rubber holder that came in your button kit. Push on it with your fingers until it snaps in and the fabric will nicely turn over the sides of the button.
Step 9: Place the button back on the button cover and snap into place using your fingers.
Step 10: Slip off the holder and you now have a covered ponytail holder.
Other ideas and suggestions: If you lost the pattern on the back of the package, the circle sizes are as follows: 1 1/8" button, size 45- cut circle 2 1/8" in diameter; 1 1/2" button, size 60- cut circle 2 1/2" in diameter. 1 7/8" button, size 75- cut circle 2 7/8" in diameter.

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