Flower Loop Hair Bow Instructions

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Flower Loop Hair Bow Instructions

Flower Loop Hair Bow Instructions

Flower loop bows are popular hair accessories for little girls. Girls from toddlers to preteens wear flower loop bows in their hair to accessorize their outfits. High-end children's clothing shops sell them to match their clothing lines, but they cost up to $25 per piece. Instead of buying commercially available bows, you can make your own..

Choosing Ribbon

Select ribbons that match existing outfits. Grosgrain ribbon in a 5/8" width works best. Choose two or three different colors or patterns that work well together. For instance, for a pink and green outfit, choose ribbons in different shades of pink and green, and one or two with polka dots or stripes.

Other Supplies

In order to assemble the ribbons into a flower loop hair bow, you need hot glue, needle and thread, and a flat-back button. The button serves two purposes: it adds a pretty accent to the piece while hiding the glue and thread that was used to make the bow.

Cutting the Ribbons

For the first layer, cut six pieces of ribbon that are 9 inches long. Set these aside in one pile. For the second layer, cut five pieces of ribbon that are 8 inches long. Set aside. For the third layer, cut four pieces of ribbon that are 7 inches long. Set aside. For the fourth layer, cut three pieces of ribbon that are 6 inches long.

If using two different ribbons, cut an equal number of each ribbon for layers one, three and four. For layer two, cut three of one ribbon and two of the other.

If using three different ribbons, cut two of each for layer one. For layer two, cut two of each ribbon, leaving one extra. For layers three and four, cut one of each, with one extra. Make sure the extra ribbon in each layer is a different color, or the flower will have one obviously dominant color.

Assembly

Stack all of the layer-one ribbons on top of each other. If some of the ribbons have printing on them (such as polka dots), stack these ribbons face up. Fold the entire stack of ribbons in half, so the printed sides are facing each other.

Thread a needle and insert it into the halfway point of the ribbons (where you folded them). Do not pull the needle all the way through; leave it halfway through.

Fan out the ribbons on the table, so they are evenly spaced. At this point, the ribbons all meet in the center, held in place by the needle.

Take one end of the bottom ribbon, and fold it until the end reaches the needle. Pull it onto the needle, but do not pull the needle through. Repeat this technique all the way around. Each time, take the ribbon closest to the one you just placed on the needle.

When you have finished all of the ribbons, pull the needle all the way through and stitch through the stack of ribbons with several stitches.

Repeat this process for all of the stacks of ribbons. When you are complete, you will have four stacks of flower loops.

Stack the flower loops on top of each other, with the biggest on the bottom and the smallest on top. Affix them to each other with hot glue.

Finish with a the flat-backed button in the center of the smallest flower loop. Stitch a barrette to the back of the bow, and your work is complete.

Wintage

Tuesday, May 28, 2013