How to Make Boutique Hair Bows
Cut a 22 to 28 inch (56 to 71 cm) length of non-wired grosgrain ribbon., Cut 2 lengths of 3/8-inch (1 cm) thick grosgrain ribbon., Thread your needle with embroidery floss., Plug in your hot glue gun., Heat seal your ribbons., Fold your thick ribbon...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Cut a 22 to 28 inch (56 to 71 cm) length of non-wired grosgrain ribbon.
Choose a
1.5-inch (3.8 cm) width for your first bow.
Cut the end of the ribbon straight with a pair of fabric scissors.
A 22-inch length will make approximately a
3.5-inch (9 cm) bow.
A 28-inch length will make a 4-inch (10 cm) bow. -
Step 2: Cut 2 lengths of 3/8-inch (1 cm) thick grosgrain ribbon.
They should each be 4 inches (10 cm) long. , This thicker form of thread will make a sturdier stitch.
Double knot the floss at the end of a 6-inch (15 cm) length of thread. , Keep the rest of the materials close at hand. , Take a lighter and hold the flame against the very edge of the ribbon where you cut it off the spool.
Move the lighter along the edge so it will not fray. , Crease the folded middle with your fingers so that you can see it when you straighten the ribbon again. , You should see the center crease in the middle. ,, Place your index finger on one end of the ribbon.
Slide it in a semi-circle until it is perpendicular to the center crease.
Lift it and align it with the bottom edge of the center crease.
Hold it on the center crease with your index finger.
The ribbon should loop into an awareness bow, like the top of the breast cancer awareness symbol. , Bring the inside edge around on the opposite side and lay it flat on top of the other ribbon end.
It should be facing the opposite direction.
You will have a figure
8.
Hold both ends to the center with your finger. , Bring the center of the other loop of the figure 8 into the center stack.
This will give your center bow two more layers that you must hold in place.
Pick up the bow, while holding the center in place to see if your loops are even., The opposite side will be the front of your boutique bow. , You want to make small accordion fold that will hold the center of the bow in place on your barrette.
Pinch the center horizontally, gather the fold and repeat.
These are extremely small folds., Make sure you insert the needle through all the material in your center section.
Pull the thread through until the double knot catches at the end. , Tie the string off near the double knot.
Your bow should now be secure and you won’t have to hold it.
Cut off the excess string. ,, Grab a 4-inch (10 cm) section of thin grosgrain ribbon.
You will wrap this ribbon around the center of the bow to hide your embroidery floss. , Make sure it covers the embroidery floss. , Be careful not to burn your fingers.
Allow it to dry for 1 minute. , They should meet at the back. , You only need the ribbons to connect in the back. ,, Fold one end down and press it as hard as you can without burning yourself. , Fold the opposite end on top of the first end and press it down. , Find a metal clip that is smaller than your bow. , Cut a small section of thin ribbon, heat seal the ends and hot glue it securely to the top of the clip. , Press the underside of the bow onto the hot glue strip.
Press down until you feel it is securely attached. , -
Step 3: Thread your needle with embroidery floss.
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Step 4: Plug in your hot glue gun.
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Step 5: Heat seal your ribbons.
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Step 6: Fold your thick ribbon in half.
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Step 7: Lay the ribbon in a long line on your workspace.
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Step 8: Place 1 finger on the crease to hold the ribbon on the table as you make your bow.
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Step 9: Start a butterfly fold.
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Step 10: Repeat on the opposite side.
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Step 11: Bring the center of the loop on one side of the figure 8 onto the center stack/crease.
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Step 12: Flip the entire bow over while you hold it.
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Step 13: Pinch and fold the center of the bow 2 times.
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Step 14: Pierce all three folds with your embroidery needle and floss.
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Step 15: Wrap the excess string around the center section twice.
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Step 16: Fluff the bow out so that it looks like you want it to appear on your barrette.
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Step 17: Place the bow right side up.
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Step 18: Pour a dab of hot glue on the center point of your bow.
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Step 19: Press the thin ribbon onto the dab of glue.
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Step 20: Wrap each end of the thin ribbon around to the back of the bow.
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Step 21: Snip off any excess with your fabric scissors.
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Step 22: Heat seal the ends of the thin ribbon with your lighter.
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Step 23: Place a dot of hot glue where the two ends will meet.
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Step 24: Place another drop of hot glue on top of one end.
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Step 25: Choose either an alligator clip or a clasp barrette.
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Step 26: Line the barrette if you choose.
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Step 27: Pour a thin strip of hot glue over the top of the clip.
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Step 28: Allow the bow to dry for 30 minutes before using it.
Detailed Guide
Choose a
1.5-inch (3.8 cm) width for your first bow.
Cut the end of the ribbon straight with a pair of fabric scissors.
A 22-inch length will make approximately a
3.5-inch (9 cm) bow.
A 28-inch length will make a 4-inch (10 cm) bow.
They should each be 4 inches (10 cm) long. , This thicker form of thread will make a sturdier stitch.
Double knot the floss at the end of a 6-inch (15 cm) length of thread. , Keep the rest of the materials close at hand. , Take a lighter and hold the flame against the very edge of the ribbon where you cut it off the spool.
Move the lighter along the edge so it will not fray. , Crease the folded middle with your fingers so that you can see it when you straighten the ribbon again. , You should see the center crease in the middle. ,, Place your index finger on one end of the ribbon.
Slide it in a semi-circle until it is perpendicular to the center crease.
Lift it and align it with the bottom edge of the center crease.
Hold it on the center crease with your index finger.
The ribbon should loop into an awareness bow, like the top of the breast cancer awareness symbol. , Bring the inside edge around on the opposite side and lay it flat on top of the other ribbon end.
It should be facing the opposite direction.
You will have a figure
8.
Hold both ends to the center with your finger. , Bring the center of the other loop of the figure 8 into the center stack.
This will give your center bow two more layers that you must hold in place.
Pick up the bow, while holding the center in place to see if your loops are even., The opposite side will be the front of your boutique bow. , You want to make small accordion fold that will hold the center of the bow in place on your barrette.
Pinch the center horizontally, gather the fold and repeat.
These are extremely small folds., Make sure you insert the needle through all the material in your center section.
Pull the thread through until the double knot catches at the end. , Tie the string off near the double knot.
Your bow should now be secure and you won’t have to hold it.
Cut off the excess string. ,, Grab a 4-inch (10 cm) section of thin grosgrain ribbon.
You will wrap this ribbon around the center of the bow to hide your embroidery floss. , Make sure it covers the embroidery floss. , Be careful not to burn your fingers.
Allow it to dry for 1 minute. , They should meet at the back. , You only need the ribbons to connect in the back. ,, Fold one end down and press it as hard as you can without burning yourself. , Fold the opposite end on top of the first end and press it down. , Find a metal clip that is smaller than your bow. , Cut a small section of thin ribbon, heat seal the ends and hot glue it securely to the top of the clip. , Press the underside of the bow onto the hot glue strip.
Press down until you feel it is securely attached. ,
About the Author
Sharon Taylor
Writer and educator with a focus on practical hobbies knowledge.
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