How to Make a Hair Bow

By Amber Ortega on December 29th, 2008

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All little girls love to wear bows in their hair.  Hair bows can become costly, running anywhere from $2 on up.  My daughter wants to wear a different bow in her hair every day of the week, I gave up on buying them and decided it was time to start making my own.  It is very easy and inexpensive to make up a big batch of them to match every outfit your little one owns.

Supplies:

• Ribbon, for this bow I am using two different, both grosgrain 5/8″ and 3/8″
• Scissors
• Hair clips, the ones I found are called Metal Double Prong Clips (You can also use French Clips, but I have heard many stories of them breaking quickly)
• Needle and thread
• Hot glue gun

Let’s get started!

1. Gather your supplies.
2. First you will want to cover your clip.  This helps to keep the clip in the hair.  I always use a grosgrain ribbon hot glued to the clip.  To cover the clip, put a little hot glue on the inside of one of the prongs.  Place the ribbon on the glue and wrap it around, gluing as you go.  Wrap it all the way around until it reaches the inside of the other prong. 
3. Now take the larger ribbon and cut a piece as long as you would like.  I cut my ribbon about 24 inches long.  Find the middle and use that as a gauge to decide how large you would like your bow. 
4. Fold the remainder of the ribbon in equal parts. 
5. Squish the ribbon together and find the middle.  Hold it together, flaring the ribbon to make your bow.  It does not need to be perfect at this point, but at least get the ribbon looking decent and even. 
6. Grab your needle and thread.  You will begin by tacking the ribbon in the middle.  Continue wrapping the ribbon around the middle to ensure it will hold well.  Keep some thread to wrap around your clip!
7. Attach the bow to your covered clip.  Wrap the thread around the clip and bow to ensure it will stay in place.  Tie off.
8. Take your smaller ribbon and tie a small knot, pulling taut but not too tight.  You want this to “look” pretty.
9. Now place a dot of hot glue on the center of your bow.  Attach the knot you just created.  Wrap the ends of your knot around the clip, hot gluing to the inside.  Clip any extra ribbon that is too long. 
10. Fluff your ribbon and you have a beautiful bow!  Can you believe you were paying almost $7 for that bow?

So what are you waiting for?  Run to your local craft store and pick up your supplies.  If you can’t find the clips at a craft store, they carry them at beauty supply stores.  Have fun!