Recycle extra ribbons and reinvent clear tubing into hair bow accessories.
Non-conventional accessory crafts are made with alternative materials such as clear vinyl tubing. This flexible material is used with a variety of accessory concept designs such as hair bows. Filling the clear tube with different mediums like ribbons, beads or glitter, as well as recycling leftover trims from previous projects (like sequins) allows the designer to create endless versions for the bow. The flexible tubing allows the designer to pass different mediums through it, changing the clear tube view to a colorful design.
Instructions
Preparing the Clear Vinyl Tubing
1. Use a ruler to measure the length of the flexible clear vinyl tubing. Measure twice the length of decorative ribbon such as grosgrain, silk or double-faced satin, and cut the ribbon with your fabric scissors on the bias. This prevents the ribbon ends from excessive fraying.
2. Insert the ribbon through the eye of a chenille needle. This needle type is typically used for silk ribbon embroidery (SRE) projects. Bear in mind that ribbon width determines the needle size. For instance, a seven-millimeter (mm) width ribbon requires a size 18 needle type. Another alternative is to use beading string or wire with a beading needle. Add decorative beads to your stringing material for a beaded hair bow.
3. Tie a loose knot around the eye of the needle. Wrap a loop and insert the ribbon end through the loop. Slightly pull the loop closed to form the loose knot.
4. Pass the needle through the flexible tubing. Hold one end of the tube with your fingertips as you pass the needle through the opposite tube end. This tube is flexible, so you will be able to crush the tubing in an accordion-like style to pass the needle through the opposite end opening.
5. Pull the ribbon through the tubing. The decorative ribbon color will show through the clear tube. As a decorative option, leave several inches of the ribbon exposed at each end. If you pass multiple thin width ribbons through the tubing, the exposed ribbon will appear fringe-like.
Shaping the Hair Bow
6. Hold the left end of the tubing with your left hand. Use your right hand to form a loop with the right tube end. Make sure the right tube end crosses over the left to form the loop. Hold the base of the loop with your left index finger and your left thumb.
7. Wrap the right tube slightly around the left index finger to form a loose loop around the finger.
8. Form a loose loop with the right end tube. Pass it through the loop around the left index finger and gently pull. As the right loop passes through the index finger loop, the right loop will shift toward the left side. The bow will begin to form.
9. Continue to pull the loop through by releasing the left index finger. A center bow knot will form. Continue pulling until both bow loops are even. Pull at each end of the bow until the center knot is tightened.
10. Attach a barrette or clip onto the tubed hair bow by dabbing fabric glue. Read the drying time for your brand before wearing your tubed hair bow accessory.
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