So...this is the first tutorial I've ever tried to make. I'm a little nervous. Hopefully the instructions are clear and you'll want to make some of your own!
How to make a Zipper Rosette...
Supplies Needed:
-zipper
-upholstery thread or embroidery floss & needle
-pliers (are helpful, but not always necessary)
-scissors
-coordinating (with your zipper) felt
-hot glue gun
Step 1
Take your zipper completely apart. This is where a pair of pliers can come in handy. Some zippers are just stopped with glue that can be forcefully pulled apart, or thread that can be sewn, but some have this little metal stopper that you can see above. To get them off I use a combination of pulling with pliers and yanking the zipper apart. As you can see in the next picture, all of the pieces don't always come off 'cleanly', but it shouldn't affect the final outcome.
*Note - I like to save the zipper pull to glue into the center of some of the rosettes, but its up to you.
Step 2
Using embroidery floss, or some other very strong thread, knot the end of the floss and begin a running stitch about 1/8th of an inch from the bottom of a zipper half. I've found that a longer stitch is better (which is the main reason I do this by hand rather than with my sewing machine.)
Step 3
Once you've sewn along the entire bottom of the zipper, pull your thread to form gathers. How tight you pull your thread is up to you. I've found that it is a lot easier to work with in the next few steps if you don't pull it as tight as you can. You'll want a little 'give'. Tie off your thread and snip.
Step 4
This is the hardest step to illustrate, so I'll do my best to walk you through it. Starting with the edge of the zipper that you
started your running stitch on, roll the zipper onto itself. As you are rolling, pull the raw edge from the beginning of the zipper (just a bit) through the hole in the middle. (This will make more of a finished middle and hidden raw edges.) Continue arranging the rosette by making each layer peak out from the previous.
Step 5
Cut out a piece of felt that is close to the same size as your rosette. (Yep! This is the easy step!)
Step 6
Liberally apply hot glue to the bottom of your rosette, and attach it to the piece of felt. Make sure when you glue it down to the felt that both the middle of the rosette and the very end raw edges are tucked under the rosette and glued down.
This is the point that you can add some 'bling' to the center of the rosette if you choose. (I like to use the zipper pull, but you could add a purl or gem, or something of the sort.)
Step 7
Cut away the excess felt from behind the rosette.
You are now DONE!! Finish the rosette as you please. *I've added leaves to a few, but they are definitely cute enough to stand alone on their own too.* Attach to alligator clips, bobby pins, etc.!
Hopefully this little tutorial has been helpful! Happy crafting!
I've been in love with this bag since I laid eyes on the pattern. I finally got up my courage to give it a try. Here is my version...
and an inside view...
We just got a brand new table. I've been waiting eight and a half years of marriage to get a nice kitchen table, and my dream finally came true! (Okay, that is a little miss-leading. We actually have a nice formal dining room set that we got a few years ago and love, but it's not something we use on a daily basis.) We've lived with hand-me-downs since 2001. I think my excitement over the new table is almost unreasonable, but I'm pumped! - That being said, I want to keep it nice for as long as possible! My husband suggested that we should have something in the middle
of the table to put serving stuff on so that we avoid scratches (we've got place mats to eat on too). I whipped this up with the left over material from my apron.
34 down and only 14 to go! I could stop with only two more, but I want a bit of a larger quilt. I don't know what it is about playing with a big stash of selvages that makes me happy. I can't wait to have it all finished. 
Take your zipper completely apart. This is where a pair of pliers can come in handy. Some zippers are just stopped with glue that can be forcefully pulled apart, or thread that can be sewn, but some have this little metal stopper that you can see above. To get them off I use a combination of pulling with pliers and yanking the zipper apart. As you can see in the next picture, all of the pieces don't always come off 'cleanly', but it shouldn't affect the final outcome.
Step 2
Using embroidery floss, or some other very strong thread, knot the end of the floss and begin a running stitch about 1/8th of an inch from the bottom of a zipper half. I've found that a longer stitch is better (which is the main reason I do this by hand rather than with my sewing machine.)
Once you've sewn along the entire bottom of the zipper, pull your thread to form gathers. How tight you pull your thread is up to you. I've found that it is a lot easier to work with in the next few steps if you don't pull it as tight as you can. You'll want a little 'give'. Tie off your thread and snip.
This is the hardest step to illustrate, so I'll do my best to walk you through it. Starting with the edge of the zipper that you started your running stitch on, roll the zipper onto itself. As you are rolling, pull the raw edge from the beginning of the zipper (just a bit) through the hole in the middle. (This will make more of a finished middle and hidden raw edges.) Continue arranging the rosette by making each layer peak out from the previous.
Cut out a piece of felt that is close to the same size as your rosette. (Yep! This is the easy step!)
Liberally apply hot glue to the bottom of your rosette, and attach it to the piece of felt. Make sure when you glue it down to the felt that both the middle of the rosette and the very end raw edges are tucked under the rosette and glued down.
Cut away the excess felt from behind the rosette.
A huge big ole' pile of zippers. Random, I know. 
Lovin' it! I can't wait to try more. Check back in a day or two for instructions, I think zipper rosettes are tutorial worthy!
I just made this for my kitchen. (It totally reminds me of those old ones that your grandma made with a crochet top. You know the ones I'm talking about, right? These are just such a fun more updated version!) 
