| How to Use Cinnamon Sticks Posted: 10 Jan 2020 04:00 PM PST Cinnamon sticks are a delicious and aromatic form of cinnamon that can be used in a wide variety of ways. You can use cinnamon sticks to create various useful and one-of-a-kind crafts, or to add a subtle spice flavor to various dishes. When steeped in liquid, cinnamon sticks can also be used to make delicious, uniquely spiced beverages. [Edit]Crafting with Cinnamon Sticks - Use cinnamon sticks and leather cord to make scented ornaments. String a piece of leather cord, about long, through the hollow center of 3 cinnamon sticks. Fold the cinnamon sticks into a triangle shape, then pull the cord tight to secure the shape. Tie the loose ends together at the top. To hang the ornament, cut another piece of leather cord about . Loop it around the top of the triangle and tie it in a knot to secure.[1]
- You can also use a piece of twine or hemp instead of a leather cord.
- For more of a holiday vibe, use craft glue to glue a piece of tree garland onto the bottom corner of the triangle cinnamon ornament.[2]
- Make a fall-ready cinnamon stick candle. Coarsely chop 4 cinnamon sticks and set aside. Set out your candle holder (you can use a jar, small bowl, or any small container you'd like) on a flat surface. Lay one end of a candle wick in the center of the bowl then wrap the other end around a pencil to hold the wick straight up and in place. Melt candle wax in a nonstick pan on low heat. Once melted, mix the chopped cinnamon sticks into the wax and quickly pour the hot wax into the candle holder to fill it about ¾ of the way up.[3]
- Let the wax cool and harden for at least 15 minutes before removing the pencil and trimming the wick as needed.
- To make your candle's cinnamon scent stronger, add a few drops of cinnamon extract to the wax as its melting.[4]
- Craft your own homemade spice potpourri. Preheat your oven to . Thinly slice an apple and an orange and lay the slices flat on a baking sheet. Bake the fruit slices for an hour and a half, then remove them from the oven to cool. Once cool, mix the slices in a large jar with about 2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of cloves, 3 to 5 cinnamon sticks, and about 2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of star anise..[5]
- Put the lid on the jar and let the mixture settle for 1 day before pouring out and displaying it in a bowl or decorative jar.[6]
- Secure cinnamon sticks together for easy scented drink coasters. Set out about 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks. Add a dab of craft glue to the center of one of the cinnamon sticks, and press another stick to it firmly to secure the two together. Repeat this process until all 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks are glued together.[7]
- To add a bit more visual interest to your coasters, weave a piece of colorful string or twine along the ends of the cinnamon sticks (like a log raft). This will make your coasters look a bit more finished.[8]
- Tie cinnamon sticks onto gifts for an added personal touch. For an easy way to elevate your fall or holiday gifts, use ribbon, twine, or holiday-colored string to tie a few cinnamon sticks onto your wrapped gifts. The recipient will surely appreciate your added effort and the pleasant scent.
- In addition to wrapped gifts, you can tie a few cinnamon sticks onto soaps, jam jars, or cider mix for an easy yet thoughtful gift for your friends, neighbors, or family members.[9]
- Make a moth-repelling pouch for your closet. Fill a small mesh baggie or sachet with a cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon (14.3 grams) of black peppercorns, and 1 tablespoon (14.3 grams) of whole cloves. Hang the pouch on a hanger in your closet, or place it in a dresser drawer to keep moths off of your clothing.[10]
[Edit]Cooking with Cinnamon Sticks - Make an easy homemade cinnamon syrup. Add 4 cinnamon sticks to of water in a pot. Turn the stove on high to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the cinnamon sticks simmer for about 25 minutes, then turn off the stovetop and let the pot cool for 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks from the water, then add 1.5 cups (192 grams) of white sugar. Turn the stovetop back on low and reheat the water for 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the sugar is dissolved, let the syrup cool before using or storing in a jar.[11]
- You may need to run the syrup through a strainer if any cinnamon stick particles came off while they were boiling.[12]
- Use your homemade cinnamon syrup on ice cream, in cocktails, or on waffles or pancakes.
- Put a cinnamon stick in your rice cooker for a unique flavor. To give your rice a hint of a rich spice flavor, place a cinnamon stick on top of the rice after you add it to the rice cooker. Then, cook the rice according to the instructions.[13]
- If you don't have a rice cooker, you can also add a cinnamon stick to a pot of rice and water and cook according to the instructions on the stovetop.
- Cinnamon stick rice works particularly well in or with Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African dishes.[14]
- Simmer a cinnamon stick in oatmeal for a comforting breakfast. When cooking oatmeal on the stove or in a slow cooker, add 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks, depending on your taste preference. This will give your oats an extra comforting spice flavor.[15]
- Cinnamon sticks are a great addition to oatmeal made with apples, peaches, raisins, or pumpkin puree.
- Use a cinnamon stick to flavor slow cooker meats, stews, and curries. When you're slow cooking beef, chicken, pork, or lamb, or when making a stew or curry dish, add a cinnamon stick right before you turn the slow cooker on. The cinnamon stick won't make the meat or stew taste strongly of cinnamon, but will add a subtle rich spice flavor.[16]
- Adding a cinnamon stick to slow cooker chili will also add a great subtle flavor.[17]
- Soak cinnamon sticks in rum for a homemade cinnamon essence. Pour of light or dark rum into a container with a lid. Add 2 cinnamon sticks to the container before replacing the lid on the container. Store the rum and cinnamon mixture in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks, shaking it daily to ensure that the flavors are infused.
- You can then use your homemade cinnamon essence in almost any recipe that calls for cinnamon extract.[18] Note, however, that the cinnamon essence will be a bit sweeter than cinnamon extract because of the sweetness in the rum.
[Edit]Making Cinnamon Stick Drinks - Use cinnamon sticks to add spice to homemade mulled wine. Add of apple cider, 1 bottle of red wine, of honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange zested and juiced, 4 cloves, and 3 star anise pods to a large saucepan. Turn the stovetop on high to bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, then turn the stovetop off and let it cool before serving.[19]
- Add an orange peel or cinnamon stick stirrer for an extra garnish.
- Add flavor to tea or cider by using a cinnamon stick to stir. Make your tea or apple cider as directed. Once your drink is finished, use a cinnamon stick to stir while it's still hot. You can stir with the cinnamon briefly to add just a bit of flavor, or leave the stick in to seep while you drink.[20]
- To add a bit of a kick to your cinnamon stick tea, add of whiskey, of honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice to make a cinnamon tea hot toddie.[21]
- You can use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer several times before it'll lose its flavor. Just rinse it with hot water and let it dry before using it again.[22]
- Boil a cinnamon stick with hot chocolate. To make a traditional New Mexico hot chocolate, pour milk, cocoa powder, and white sugar into a saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick, then turn the stovetop on low. Bring the liquid to a simmer while stirring consistently to combine. Once it reaches a low boil, turn the stovetop off and let it cool before pouring it into a mug to enjoy.[23]
- You can either leave the cinnamon stick in the hot chocolate when you pour it into a mug, or remove it with a spoon if you prefer.
- You can use a pre-packaged hot chocolate mix instead on cocoa and sugar.
- Put cinnamon sticks in your coffee maker for uniquely flavored coffee. Pour your desired amount of coffee grounds into the coffee maker as you usually do. Then, lay a cinnamon stick on top of the coffee grounds. Turn the coffee maker on and brew as usual.[24]
- This will only add a subtle cinnamon flavor. If you want the cinnamon to be stronger, use another cinnamon stick to stir your coffee while it's still hot.
- Make simple cinnamon tisane for a comforting hot drink. Heat up a mug of water in a kettle or in the microwave. Once heated to your desired temperature, steep a cinnamon stick in hot water for about 10 minutes.[25]
- While quite simple, cinnamon tisane can be very effective in helping to soothe an upset stomach.[26]
- Because of its antimicrobial prosperities, you can also use cinnamon tisane to treat athlete's foot by making a larger batch and soaking your feet in the mixture for about 20 minutes as needed.[27]
[Edit]References |
| How to Start Biking Posted: 10 Jan 2020 08:00 AM PST Getting into the habit of biking daily can be quite easy so long as you get the right equipment and don't get too ambitious at the beginning. To start, choose between a road or mountain bike based on the type of terrain that you'll be biking on. Then, get a solid helmet and download a cycling app that will make it easy to track your distance and speed. Start off with a small goal of biking per ride. Bike 2-4 times a week based on your level of comfort until you're able to bike for longer distances more regularly. [Edit]Buying a Bike - Get a mountain bike if you want to ride on unpaved surfaces. Mountain bikes aren't exclusively for mountains! If you plan on regularly riding on dirt, unpaved gravel, or grass, select a mountain bike to make your experience more comfortable. Mountain bikes are heavier and have strong frames, which helps keep them from breaking or losing traction on rocky terrain or bumpy surfaces.[1]
- If you're going to be biking over long distances, look for a bike with a clip for your water bottle.
- Mountain bikes can be kind of heavy and bulky. If you plan on keeping it in your home, keep the storage space in mind when looking at a bike.
- A used mountain bike will usually cost $100-300. New mountain bikes tend to be at least $400, but you'll regularly see prices in the $1000-2000 range.
- Select a lightweight road bicycle if you'll be riding on paved roads. If you're going to be doing most of your biking on streets or paved trails, select a road bike. Road bikes are smaller than mountain bikes and have thinner wheels, which makes it easier to get them up to a higher speed. Road bikes are also lighter, which makes them easier to steer, carry, and maneuver.[2]
- If you live in an apartment and will ever have to bring your bike inside, a road bike will be easier to store than a mountain bike.
- Used mountain and road bikes tend to be equally expensive. Expect to spend $100-300 on a used road bike. A new road bike will cost $400-$1000.
- Racing bicycles are a type of road bike. They tend to be extremely light and they're designed to go as fast as possible on paved surfaces. They tend to be quite expensive and fragile though, so don't pick a racing bike to start unless you're always going to be biking on smooth pavement with no obstacles.
- Get a folding bicycle if you're tight on space or live in an apartment. If you live in a second or third-floor apartment or you have no storage space whatsoever, buy a folding bicycle. Folding bikes can be easily disassembled to make them smaller, and they are extremely lightweight. However, they can't go very fast and they're awful at making it up hills. This makes folding bikes an excellent option if your only purpose is to make short trips in a congested area.[3]
- Folding bikes are usually a little cheaper than a mountain or road bike. New folding bikes are usually $100-300, but they're even cheaper if you can find a used one.
- Buy a used bike if you're just starting out. The cost differential between new and used bikes can be quite extreme. You can get a solid used bike for $150, but a decent model that is brand new may cost you $500-1,000. Since you're just starting out, you may not know what your preferences are. If you get a new bike and it turns out that it isn't right for you, you'll be out quite a bit of money. On the other hand, selling a used bike and getting a different model isn't that big of a deal.[4]
- Used bikes aren't necessarily worse than new bikes. They just tend to not be as shiny and may not have a ton of features. A used bike can ride just as well as a new bike, though.
- Avoid a custom or fixed-gear bike until you're used to biking regularly. To save yourself some money and heartbreak, wait until you know precisely what you're looking for before buying a custom or fixed-gear bike. Fixed-gear bikes don't have brakes, and they can be quite difficult to get used to if you've never controlled one. Custom bikes will come with features and components that you won't even notice unless you're a veteran rider.[5]
- Custom bikes use specific, buyer-requested components to achieve a certain weight balance, feel, and frame structure. This is unnecessary for someone that's just starting out.
- Go to a reputable bike shop and get a bike that feels right. Don't buy your bike online. Instead, go to a local bike shop and ask to test ride some models that look interesting to you. When taking a test ride, make sure that the bike is comfortable and feels good in your hands. Your bike should be easy to maneuver and pedal. Once you've found a bike that you like, pay for it and enjoy your new ride.[6]
- While some high-end bike shops don't sell used models, almost every other bike shop sells used bikes.
- Don't worry if the bike squeaks when you ride it. The shop will adjust the brakes and oil the chain for you before you walk off with it.
- Buy a bike with gears. This will make it easier to control how fast you pedal. Almost all road and mountain bikes have gears. The gears look like little knobs or switches on the handlebar that you can turn to change the track that the chain is on.
[Edit]Getting the Appropriate Gear - Buy a new helmet that fits your head comfortably. A helmet is mandatory if you want to ride a bike. Get a helmet with a hard shell that fits your head. The helmet should be tight enough that it doesn't fall off while you're riding, but loose enough that it doesn't hurt when you wear it for an extended period of time.[7]
- The difference in pricing between helmets is usually based on how aerodynamic or stylish it is. Unless you plan on racing in the future, go ahead and grab a cheaper model. Feel free to spend a little for a fashionable helmet, though!
- Select a comfortable pair of bike shorts if you're taking long rides. All of the fancy bike clothing isn't mandatory for an amateur cyclist, although it does serve a purpose. If you are certain that biking is going to become a regular activity for you, pick up a comfortable pair of bike shorts. Bike shorts are tighter, and usually made of spandex or nylon. They're designed to keep your thighs from chaffing and your pants from catching in the chain as you ride.[8]
- You can ride a bike while wearing regular pants if you'd like. Sweatpants, jeans, and athletic shorts are all perfectly fine to bike in. If you do find your pants getting caught in the chain regularly, roll your left pant leg up to keep it raised about the gears.
- Purchase a cycling jersey if you want to stay dry while you ride. Bike jerseys are tight-fitting nylon or spandex shirts. They tend to be brightly colored so that you're highly visible when riding at night. They're also highly absorbent and will soak up sweat as you ride to keep you dry. Get a comfortable bike jersey that fits well to stay dray and visible.[9]
- Again, specialized cycling clothing isn't required if you're a beginner. You can easily ride in a T-shirt, tank top, sweater, or jacket.
- If you're going to wear a regular shirt and bike at night, throw on a reflective vest so that drivers and pedestrians can easily see you.
- Wear athletic shoes before moving up to cycling shoes. Cycling shoes have ridges that hook into the grooves of some bike pedals. Since you're probably starting out with standard pedals, they aren't necessary. Wear a good pair of tennis or running shoes when starting out. Tie your laces tight and double-knot your shoes to keep the laces from getting caught in the chain. If they do get caught regularly, you can tuck your laces into your shoes before you get on your bike.[10]
- The other purpose of cycling shoes is to make your energy transfer more efficient as you ride. Your goal when starting out should be to maintain a good posture and get in the habit of biking, though. If you only care about speed, you're going to get frustrated when you start biking.
- Get an air pump to avoid making frequent trips to the gas station. The air in bike tires naturally escapes over time, even if you don't have a punctured tire and keep your air valve capped tight. To avoid having to ride to the gas station every couple of weeks, get an air pump to refill your bike's tires.[11]
- Get a manual pump if you want to save money. Buy an electric or mechanical air pump if you want to make filling your tires easier.
- Download a cycling app to track your distance and speed. Instead of spending money on a fancy pedometer or GPS system, download an app to track how far and fast you bike. Bike Computer, Strava, and MapMyRide are the most popular apps for bikers. They'll track your speed, route, and monitor how often you ride. This information is important when it comes to tracking your progress.[12]
- Strava, Bike Computer, and MapMyRide are all free. You can download them from your phone's app store.
- You can connect a Bluetooth heart rate monitor to Strava and Bike Computer if you'd like.
[Edit]Riding Your Bike - Adjust the saddle so that your knee is slightly bent as you pedal. When your pedals are the closest to the ground, your knee should be slightly bent to avoid putting stress on your tendons and hamstrings. Adjust your saddle by lifting the latch and pulling it out to the unlocked position. Then, slide your seat up or down to adjust its height. Close the latch and press it tight to lock your seat in place.[13]
- Develop a posture that's comfortable for you to maintain. There is no proper stance for typical cycling, but the straighter you can keep your spine, the better. When riding your bike, keep the crest of the seat aligned with the center of your tailbone. Stay seated while pedaling and try to sit up straight while staying comfortable. The more relaxed you are while you ride, the more likely you are to bike for an extended period of time.[14]
- Ride with your hands in the drops of the handles to steer and brake. The drops of the handles refer to the loop where the handles dip down. Place both hands on the bottom of the handle to make steering and braking easier. On a mountain bike, there are no drops, so place your hands where it's comfortable and easy to reach the brakes.[15]
- When you do brake, use the back brake to make gradual stops. If you need to make an emergency stop, pull both brakes at the same time, pulling the front brake as light as possible to avoid flipping over.
- Develop a pedaling cadence of 70-90 rpm to bike efficiently. When biking, your body is most efficient when it's pedaling a little over once per second. To develop a good pedaling pattern, turn the gears on the front of your bike until you can comfortably bike at a rate of 70-90 rotations per minute (rpm). This will require some trial and error, so switch your gears around as you start to ride to determine what works best for you.[16]
- The gears control which track the chain hangs on, which changes the amount of resistance that you experience as you pedal. They're designed to make it easier to maintain your pace while biking up or down a hill. On flat surfaces, use them to adjust how fast you need to pedal.
- Almost all racing and mountain bikes have gears.
- Look down the road or trail as you're biking to avoid obstacles. To avoid running into potholes, rocks, or obstructions, look up while you're biking. Your first temptation may be to look down at your handlebar to focus on your body's motions, but this can be dangerous. Keep your eyes down the road or trail to avoid running into something.[17]
- It's fine if it's a little more comfortable for you to tilt your head down. Just make sure that you're looking up while you do this.
- Communicate with drivers by using hand signals on public roads. To avoid startling drivers, communicate when you plan to stop or turn. To indicate that you are turning left, extend your left arm straight away from your body. For a right turn, extend your left arm and bend your elbow at a 90-degree angle pointing up. To indicate that you are stopping or slowing down, extend your left arm with your elbow bent pointing down. This way, drivers will know when you are turning, moving, or stopping.[18]
- Hand signals are made with the left arm because the right hand controls the back brake. This is the more important brake for cyclists, since the front brake should never be pulled on its own.
- If you are absolutely certain that you won't need to brake, feel free to indicate right turns by extending your right arm out.
[Edit]Staying Motivated to Ride Regularly - Begin with a smaller goal of biking per ride. If you start out with a massive goal of biking a week, you'll struggle to reach your goal. Start out with a small, achievable with a goal of per ride. You can always work your way up to longer rides over time. Starting small will ensure that you aren't discouraged by not reaching your objective. It will also prevent injuries from the impact of long rides before your body is ready for it.[19]
- If you're really new to biking, you can start even smaller. Choose a quiet, 4-5 block route with little-to-no traffic. Practice riding that route perfectly before moving up to a longer, more difficult ride.
- Track your distance during each session using a cycling app.
- Bike 2-4 times a week to give your body time to heal between rides. After your first ride, you're probably going to be quite sore. Overworking your body is a surefire way to discourage yourself from biking. Take days off between rides so that you're biking 2-4 times a week based on your level of comfort.[20]
- If you're starting to bike so that you can get to work or school every day, start out by biking 2-3 times a week. Drive or take public transportation on the days that you're taking off. Work up to a full week over time.
- Make a habit of biking by tracking how often you ride. It's hard to start a new habit if you don't have accountability. In a journal, write down how often you ride each day. Note the distance that you biked as well. Review your results at the end of the week to determine whether or not you've reached your goal. By tracking how often you actually bike, you'll know for sure whether you're getting in the swing of regularly biking.[21]
- It will become easier to reach your goal over time as you get used to cycling and tracking your progress.
- Avoid routes that include hills or rough terrain until you're ready. To ensure that you don't harm yourself, stick with flat, simple routes to start off. Minimize the number of turns that you need to take and stay away from hills or rocky roads. It takes skill to navigate difficult routes; until you have some experience, you're better off playing it safe.[22]
- Staying on flat roads with few obstructions allows you to get comfortable with the act of pedaling without needing to pay attention to your terrain.
- Find a biking group that takes scheduled rides together. If you find it hard to get in the habit of biking regularly, look into joining a cycling group. Cycling groups are a set of people that ride together on scheduled trips, and having a set of people to bike with will keep you motivated. Go to your local bike shop and ask around for a group to ride with. You can also search online for a beginner-level bike group that's open to new members.[23]
- Don't be too hard on yourself. It takes time to get in the habit of cycling regularly! It's natural to need a break every once in a while.
[Edit]Warnings - If you live in a major city, stay away from congested areas unless they have dedicated bike lanes.
- Always wear bright or reflective clothing before you go out riding at night.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Getting the Appropriate Gear - Helmet
- Cycling shorts (optional)
- Cycling jersey (optional)
- Athletic shoes
- Air pump
- App for tracking distance
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Headband Stay in Place Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST Headbands are great for keeping your hair back, but not when they keep slipping back! If your headband keeps on sliding back on your head, there are a few things that you could do. If you're looking for just a quick fix, you could secure it with hairspray and bobby pins. If you want a more permanent fix, you could line the inside of the headband with puffy paint or Velcro. [Edit]Using Hairspray and Bobby Pins - Pull your hair up into a bun or ponytail. Brush your hair so that it's smooth and tangle-free, then gather it into a bun or ponytail. You'll be keeping your hair in this style throughout the day, so make it nice and neat.[1]
- Create a mid-high or high bun or ponytail. Don't make a low bun or low ponytail.
- This method works the best for elastic headbands, but it may also work for silk scarves as well.
- Apply a light misting of hairspray, then let it dry. Focus the hairspray on the top and sides of your head, where the headband will sit. Don't worry about your nape or the bun/ponytail itself.[2]
- If you can, use a non-flexible, texturizing hairspray.[3]
- No hairspray? Try dry shampoo, sea salt spray, or a bit of hair wax or pomade.
- Put the headband on. Pull the headband down over your head, then slide the front up back up so that it sits just behind your hairline. The rest of the headband should sit behind your ears and against the base of your skull.[4]
- If you're using a silk scarf, place the knot on top of your head for a more secure hold. You may not even need to use bobby pins! You could also tie the knot at the back of your head to mix up your look.[5]
- Secure the headband with a bobby pin behind each ear. Slide the bobby pin through your hair so that the tips are pointing towards your face. You want the bobby pin to be pointing down, not up. This will keep the headband from riding back on your head.[6]
- You need 1 bobby pin on each side of your head.
- Choose a bobby pin that matches your hair color so it will blend into your hair.[7]
- Make sure that the wavy side of the bobby pin is facing down against your hair, and that the flat side is facing up.
- Slide 2 more bobby pins through the back of the headband, making an X. Like with the first set of bobby pins, make sure that these are pointing down as well. This will keep the headband from riding up on your nape.[8]
- You can skip this step if you feel that the headband is secure enough.
[Edit]Adding Puffy Paint to Elastic Headbands - Get an elastic headband. This method works on any type of stretchy, elastic headband. It can be the thick, workout headband made from stretchy jersey material, or it can be the skinny ribbon-like headband made from colored or printed elastic.
- You can try this method on non-stretchy, ribbon headbands that are connected with a small bit of elastic. If the headband is made from lace, use hot glue instead!
- Flip the elastic inside-out so that the wrong side is exposed. If this is a wide, work-out headband, you might actually see a seam running down its length. If this is a colored or printed elastic headband, the color will be lighter or solid-colored on this side.
- Draw a squiggly line with puffy paint across the elastic. This can be a smooth, wavy line or a sharp, zigzag line. Don't draw a straight line, however, or the paint will break when you put the elastic headband on.[9]
- Match the color of the puffy paint to the elastic or to the printed design.
- Puffy paint is sometimes called "puff paint" or "dimensional fabric paint."
- If you can't find puffy paint, use hot glue instead. This is a great option for non-stretchy, lace headbands.
- Let the paint dry, then do the other side. Your headband is circular, but you are working on it while it is flat. You just did 1 side, but now you have to do the other. This is easier than working in a full circle. Once the paint dries, just flip the headband over and do the other side.
- Make sure that the ends of the squiggly lines on the front and back of the headband match up.
- Puffy paint can take several hours to dry, so be patient. As it dries, it will look a little darker and flatter.
- If you 'e using hot glue, you only need to wait a few minutes. Hot glue sets up very quickly.
- Wait for the paint to dry, then flip the headband right-side-out. The puffy paint or hot glue will act as a sort of rubber grip. When you put it on your head, it will create friction and catch onto your hair.[10]
- Be careful not to stretch the elastic too much. If you pull too much on it, the puffy paint or hot glue may snap. It should stand up to pulling it over your head, however.
[Edit]Gluing Velcro to Ribbon Headbands - Get a ribbon headband with an elastic closure. These types of headbands look like a strip of ribbon joined by the ends with about of elastic. Do not use an elastic headband; the Velcro will prevent it from stretching.
- This method is not recommended for sheer or lace headbands because the Velcro will be visible. Use the puffy paint method, but with hot glue.
- Purchase Velcro that's a little narrower than the ribbon. The Velcro can be any color, but black would work the best because it won't get dirty as fast. The exact width of the Velcro doesn't matter, as long as it is narrower than the ribbon.
- If you can get Velcro in multiple colors, match the color to the ribbon.
- If you can't find something narrower, get Velcro that's the same width instead.
- Avoid self-adhesive Velcro. The glue isn't very strong and it will create a sticky, gummy mess—not a good combination for hair!
- Cut the Velcro so that it's the same length as the ribbon part. You don't have to measure the ribbon. Just hold 1 end of the Velcro against 1 end of the ribbon. Pull it across the top of the ribbon to the other end, then cut it.[11]
- If your ribbon is crimped when it joins the elastic, subtract from your Velcro. This way, the Velcro won't bunch up when you glue it in.
- Keep the scratchy, hook side of the Velcro. Set the soft, loop side for another project.
- Hot glue the Velcro to the underside of the ribbon. Turn your headband inside out so that you can see the back of the ribbon. Working at a time, apply hot glue to the back of the Velcro, and press it against the ribbon.
- Try to align the ends as best as you can. If you cut the Velcro shorter, then start gluing it from the end of the ribbon.
- If you don't have hot glue, use fabric glue instead. It will work just fine, but it will take longer to dry.
- Turn the headband right-side-out and wear it. The Velcro will now act like the tiny hooks on a plastic headband. It will grab onto your hair, and help keep the headband in place![12]
- Hot glue dries almost instantly, so it should be ready by the time you finish gluing the Velcro down. Fabric glue will need about 15 to 20 minutes to dry, however.
- The closer you position the headband to your hairline, the less likely it is to slip off![13]
- Try on the headband before you buy it, if you can. This lets you make sure it fits you, as headbands come in different sizes.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using Hairspray and Bobby Pins - Hair tie
- Hairspray
- 4 bobby pins
[Edit]Adding Puffy Paint to Elastic Headbands - Elastic headband
- Puffy paint or hot glue
[Edit]Gluing Velcro to Ribbon Headbands - Ribbon headband
- Velcro
- Hot glue or fabric glue
- Hot glue gun (if using hot glue)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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