Passing the torch...

HAIR BOWS 101

*Please pay no attention to my paint/clay filled fingernails!!! :)

1.  Using 5/8" ribbon of your choice, measure to 2" and mark ribbon.  This will become one of the bows tails.

2. For a MEDIUM BOW:  Without cutting ribbon, from 2" tail mark measure 2 1/2" inches and mark on ribbon.  Repeat 3 more times, so that you have a total of 4 2 1/2" segments marked on your ribbon.  Then measure and mark another 2" segment...this will become the other tail of your bow.  Cut ribbon at last mark.

For LARGE BOW (age 4 - up) measure 3 1/2" segments.

Holding one end of the ribbon, fold in half.

Make a "v" cut.

This is what it should look like when you unfold it.  Repeat at other end.

To seal the edges so that they don't fray, run each ribbon end through a lighter.  Don't let it sit there, or you'll end up with a burnt mess!!

Assembling the bow:

Hold either end (doesn't matter which end) of your ribbon at the first mark.

Fold in half, and hold between your fingers.

Folding the ribbon away from you, find your next mark, fold in half, and place beside the first fold you made.

Repeat for second loop.  Remember to always fold ribbon back, then to the center. 

*If you just fold it to the center then your bow won't be as full*

At the mark, fold and place beside last fold made.

Continue for third loop. Again folding and placing next to previous fold.

Continue for fourth & final loop.  Hold all four together.

Using a small elastic, wrap around bow until secure.  Don't worry about squishing it at this point.  You can play with it once you've got it wrapped securely.

First Layer Done!!!

Making second layer:

Repeat the steps above exactly the same way, except using 7/8" ribbon and marking every 3 1/2" NOT 2 1/2" as you did in the first bow.  Keep both tails at 2". Cut, seal, fold & secure exactly as you did for your first bow.  For LARGE BOW measure in 4 1/2" segments

Cut four 4" (pay no attention to my tape measure, as I was using these to make a bigger bow) from 3/8" ribbon of your choice.  LARGE BOW cut 5" long.

Fold as shown, and using a dab of hot glue, glue corner of each loop together.

Example of a glued loop.

After you have glued all of your loops individually, take each loop and glue to the backside of the larger bow.

All four loops glued to larger bow.

Turn over bow....starting to take shape.

Run a line of hot glue on the backside of your smaller bow, and press on top of larger bow.

Using 3/8" ribbon of your choice, cut a piece approximately 3" long.  You can cut more if you prefer more "wiggle" room. FOR LARGE BOW cut at least 4" long.

Turn bow over (backside towards you) and glue one end of the ribbon you just cut.

Wrap around front of bow, and pull tight (but not so tightly that you destort the bow), bring end to the back and glue down.  Trim any access ribbon...there will be some.

Ta-da!!!  Almost done!  Flip to right side, fluff until you're satisfied.

Attaching to clip:

Left:  2 sizes of french clips. Works well for children over the age of four...depending on hair thickness and length.  If you're using this type of clip, cut a piece of ribbon to the length of the french clip, glue to top of clip, then glue your bow directly on top.  You can also glue the french clip to the back of the bow before you wrap the center ribbon around and secure.

Right:  Alligator clip.  Works best for younger children.

Wrapping alligator clip.  Heat seal end of 3/8" ribbon of choice.  Glue one end to inside clip part as shown in picture.

Fold under and around to inside of clip, and cut to fit.  Then go back and glue down, making sure you don't glue the clip to itself! :)  Repeat for top half of clip.

Young children's hair tends to be softer and silkier than older childrens'.  To help with slipping bows, you can put a zig zag line of hot glue on the inside of the clip, use velvet ribbon to line the clip, or cut a piece of "gripping" shelf liner to the inside of the clip.

Hints/tips

-Grosgrain ribbon works the best.

-Wired ribbon just doesn't work well in this project....but that's just my opinion!

-Best website to order clips and ribbon from is http://www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com/

-There are tons of other clips you can order at the above website, as well as resin pieces to decorate the center.

-I personally heat seal ALL my ends that I've cut.  Just makes the bow "fray-free" longer.

-You can hand stitch instead of using hot glue/elastic bands.  It is VERY hard to sew through all the layers, but if you plan on selling your bows, I would definitely sew instead of glue/elastic bands.

-Any plastic button (cut loop off of back with nail clippers), resin piece, etc can be used to decorate the center....just hot glue in place.  You can even cut your ribbon that goes around the bow a little longer, tie a knot in it, then wrap around bow and secure for a different look.

-Practice, practice, practice!!

-Try adding more loops, different sized measurements to get different looks.

Please don't repost as your own...please give credit & link ...thanks!!