You can use solid or printed ribbon to make hair bows.
A boutique hair bow is always an appropriate accessory for little girls. Depending on the ribbon you choose, the hair bow can be fancy or casual. You can use two or more colors of ribbon to custom match an outfit. You can add press-on rhinestones or an iron-on patch to the ribbon to further customize the bow. Any type of ribbon can be used for the bow, such as satin, organza or grosgrain; however, grosgrain is the easiest to work with.
Instructions
1. Thread the sewing needle with 48 inches of thread. Knot the ends of the thread together to create a 24-inch-long double strand of thread. Set the needle aside where it is within easy reach.
2. Use the scissors to cut the ends of the 1 1/2-inch-wide ribbon straight across. Quickly pass the ends through the cigarette lighter flame to heat seal them.
3. Find the midpoint of the ribbon by bringing one end to the other end. Crease the center. If you are using a printed ribbon, keep the printed side facing out when making the crease. Open the ribbon back up to a straight line. For printed ribbon, the printed side should be facing down and the wrong side facing up.
4. Take one end of the ribbon to the creased center point of the ribbon by curving it around into a loop to resemble the top of a figure 8. Hold the end in place with your thumb and index finger. Use your other hand to bring the other end of the ribbon to the center crease as well. Curve the ribbon around to make the bottom half of a figure 8. The ends should overlap slightly. Hold the overlapped pieces in place with your thumb and index finger.
5. Bring the very top center of the top figure 8 loop straight down to the point where you are holding the overlapping ribbon ends with your thumb and index finger. Without letting go of the overlapping ribbon ends, slide the top of the figure 8 loop beneath your thumb and above the overlapping ribbon ends.
6. Bring the very bottom center of the bottom figure 8 loop straight up to the point where you are holding the center of the top loop in place with your thumb and index finger. Without letting go of the top loop or the overlapping ribbon ends, slide the bottom of the figure 8 loop beneath your thumb and above the center of the top loop. Now that the top and bottom of the figure 8 loops are folded in, the ribbon should resemble butterfly wings.
7. Use your free hand to pick up the threaded needle. Begin at the top of the bow and push the tip of the needle through from the side that is facing you to the side that is facing away from you. Pull the needle all the way through until the knot of the thread is resting against the bow. Drop the needle and allow it to dangle from the thread.
8. Use your free hand to tightly pinch together the top and bottom center of the bow. You will need to slowly release the hand that was originally holding the bow together as you begin to pinch the center.
9. Hold the pinched center tightly while using the other hand to pick up the needle and wrap the thread in three tight circles around the center of the bow. The thread will now be holding the bow together and you can release your hand from pinching the center.
10. Slide the needle beneath one of the thread loops and knot the loose end of the thread. Cut off the remaining thread.
11. Plug in the hot glue gun, so that it can begin warming.
12. Tie a knot in the center of the 7/8-inch-wide ribbon. Use the scissors to trim the ribbon so that a 1-inch tail extends from the top and the bottom of the knot. Use the cigarette lighter to heat seal the ribbon ends. This is the center knot for the bow.
13. Place a dot of hot glue the size of a grain of rice over the center of the bow. Place the center knot over the glue with the ends of the knot above and below the bow. Hold in place for 10 seconds.
14. Prepare the French barrette by removing the arched center piece.
15. Flip the bow over and squeeze a 1-inch-long line of hot glue across the center of the bow. Press the back of the French barrette into the hot glue. Hold in place for 20 seconds.
16. Place a pea-sized dot of hot glue in the center of the barrette. Fold the top tail of the center knot over the barrette and press it into the glue. Hold in place for 10 seconds. Place a pea sized dot of hot glue over the ribbon tail that was just placed on the barrette. Fold the bottom tail of the center knot over the barrette and press it into the glue. The two tails of the center knot should now be overlapping. Unplug the hot glue gun.
17.Reinsert the arched center of the French barrette.
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