A Step by Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Baby Headbands and

A Step by Step Guide to Creating
Beautiful Baby Headbands and Hair Bows
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Thank you for purchasing Amazing Baby HeadBand Secrets: Step by Step
Guide to Creating Beautiful Headbands and Bows in Minutes. I have worked
on this book for a long time, and am very excited to share it with other
moms!
I hope you enjoy creating beautiful Headbands and Bows for your baby as
much as I have enjoyed creating them for my girls.
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to share pictures of
your beautiful bow and headband creations, I would love to hear from
you! Please send all comments and pictures to
[email protected].
We will postal all pictures of your bow and headband creations on our
“Brag Page” so be sure to tell us a little about your bows and headbands!
We can’t wait to see what you have designed!
Happy Creating!
Sarah Peterson
© Copyright 2009 Headbands for Baby. No part or portion of this book
may be duplicated or reproduced without express written consent of the
author.
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Table of Contents
Headband #1: Basic Nylon Headband
pg 4
Headband #2: Cotton-Lycra Microfiber Headband
pg 7
Headband #3: The Braided Headband
pg 11
Headband #4: The Ribbon Weave Headband
pg 16
Headband #5: The Ribbon Headband
pg 21
Bow Basics: Simple and Pixie Bows
pg 23
Bow Basics: Flowers
pg 27
Bow Basics: The Korker Bow
pg 31
Bow Basics: The Ruffled Ribbon Bow
pg 35
Bow Basics: Stacked Bows
pg 41
Bow Basics: The Butterfly Bow
pg 45
Bow Basics: Overlay Bows
pg 49
Bow Basics: The Five Loop Bow
pg 55
Bow Basics: Ribbon Rosettes
pg 59
Bow Basics: The *Fire-Cracker Bow*
pg 63
Bow Basics: The Loopy Bow
pg 70
Bow Basics: Ribbon Flowers
pg 75
Bonus Section #1: Making Barrettes and Clips
pg 82
Bonus Section #2: Tips, FAQ’s and Picture Ideas
pg 86
Online Resources
pg 112
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Headband #1
Basic Nylon Headband
Supplies Needed:
1 pair nylons OR
1 ladies trouser sock
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun
3” matching ribbon: 3/8” wide
Using very sharp
scissors, cut the top
cuff off the trouser
socks, or for nylons,
cut about 13-15”
from toe line. (See
sizing guide in Bonus
Section #2 Tips.)
Cut across the toe
line.
4
Finish all raw edges
with Fray Check.
Allow
to
dry.
Anchor thread to
one corner of the
nylon. (See Bonus
Section #2 Tips)
Using a gather stitch,
stitch across the end
of the nylon.
Bring the opposite
end of the nylon
around, and continue
stitching, creating a
band.
(View of band with
stitching complete.)
Pull the stitching very
tight, keeping the
“puckered” ends up.
Sew four large
stitches in a square
pattern around the
circle, and take two
stitches across and
through the circle as
if creating an X. Pull
tight and knot the
thread. Cut and trim
thread.
5
This headband can be used in two ways:
To attach one bow on permanently, or, to use with interchangable clips. I
recommend having a few of each.
To attach one bow permanently: I recommend
attaching your bow to the headband before the
finishing ribbon is attached to the headband OR the
bow. THEN apply the finishing ribbon around both
the headband and bow. Glue the ribbon, seam side
up – on top of the bow. Then apply your accent to
cover the seam.
I recommend attaching big flowers permantly to headbands. The big
flowers can be bit heavy, and they tend to flop a bit. Attaching a big flower
or bow directly to a headband will make it more stable.
To attach a flower directly to a headband, apply the finishing ribbon to the
headband FIRST, seam side up. Then attach the flower on top of the seam.
To use the headband with interchangeable clips: Apply the finishing ribbon
around the seam of the headband seam side over the top. Turn the
headband inside out.
6
Headband #2
Cotton-Lycra Microfiber Headband
Supplies Needed:
1 pair microfiber tights
(must be Cotton Lycra microfiber)
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun
3” matching ribbon: 3/8” wide
Cut the toe off tights. Cut tights right at the panty. When using Cotton
Lycra Microfiber, there is no need to treat the raw edges with Fray Check.
*See Sizing Guide in Bonus Section #2 - Tips for help selecting the right size
tights.
7
Anchor thread to tights at the edge, and sew a gather stitch across the raw
edge. Bring the opposite edge around to form a band, and continue sewing
across the other raw edge.
Pull the thread tight. Make one stitch to join the two sides, keeping the
thread tight. Keep all the raw edges facing up. To stabilize the seam, make
four stitches around the edges of the circle, creating a square pattern. Sew
right through the gathered edges. Then, take two more big stitches through
the center of the circle, creating an X pattern. Pull tight, and tie off.
8
If you wish to attach a bow
directly to the headband, do
so now. I advise you to
attach the bow before you
cover the center line of the
bow with ribbon. After the
bow is attached to the
headband, cover both the bow and headband
with the ribbon around the center line. If you
are attaching an accessory as well, leave the seam
on the top of the bow, and cover the seam line
with the accessory. If you are not attaching any
accessory to cover the seam line let the seam line
be under the bow and headband. Be careful to
make the seam line flat and smooth so it doesn’t
irritate baby’s head.
To finish the headband, glue one edge of the ribbon across the center seam
of the headband. Wrap the ribbon around, pulling it taut. It should be neat
and tight so as to hold a clip securely, but not so tight that it misshapes the
headband or makes it difficult to slide a clip underneath. Clip the ribbon to
the correct length, and glue the edge down.
9
If you are attaching a flower directly to the headband, glue it directly over
the seam.
If you will be clipping on bows, turn the headband inside out so the seam
side is down, and the front of the ribbon band is facing up.
10
Headband #3
Braided Headband
Supplies Needed:
3 pair Cotton-Lycra
Microfiber tights
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun
Large clip or 3 wooden
clothes pins
The real advantage of a braided
headband is that it can incorporate
three colors, but you may also use only
one or even two colors.
11
Cut off the toe and panty of the tight. Cut the
tight open at the seam. Use very sharp scissors to
make a clean cut.
Carefully cut an even strip off the tight
about ½”-5/8” wide. The wider the strip
the heavier your braided headband will be.
You may also use a rotary cutter if
available.
Secure the strips to a book or
similar with a large clip or using 3
wooden clothes pins.
Gently pull on the strips as you
braid, keeping the tension
consistent throughout the braid.
12
Use alligator clips to secure the
ends of the braid, and remove
from large clip.
Use a needle and thread to secure
the end of the braid. Anchor the
thread, and take 3-4 stitches
through all 3 layers of fabric. Knot
thread and clip thread ends.
Trim ends from the braid. Glue or
sew the ends of the braid together
to form a band. I almost always
prefer my hot glue gun, as I like
things to go together fast.
Cut a 5/8” – 1” square from
leftover tights. Glue one end over
seam in headband. Wrap square
around, and glue, leaving the side
opposite the seam
unsecured/unglued to allow for
clips.
13
**TIP** Hot glue tends to show on Cotton Lycra. If you accidentally get a
smear of glue on your headband it can be remedied. Carefully clean the end
of your heated hot glue gun (don’t get burned!) by wiping it on paper or
similar. When all glue is off the tip of the glue gun, carefully run the tip of
the glue gun over the cooled hot glue on your headband. It will melt the hot
glue into the fabric and it will dry clear. Do not touch the glue, and be
careful not to melt a hole in the headband.
14
Red Braided
Headband
with Star
Accessory
Attached.
You can use clipped bows
to provide versatility.
Purple Braided
Headband.
15
Headband #4
Ribbon Weave Headband
Supplies Needed:
3 yards ribbon
Matching hair elastic
Hot glue gun
The Ribbon Weave is a creative and beautiful way to create a
headband. You may use almost any kind of ribbon. Double sided
ribbon is easier. You can use single sided ribbon, and then turn the
weave over after the weave is completed.
I really prefer using a narrow ribbon for the weave – about 1/8”.
It makes a very delicate and detail rich headband.
To teach the weave, I am showing two examples. The first is using
two ribbons, glued together. This is to help you see which
direction the ribbons go as you weave. The second example is
using a beautiful narrow suede trim. It created a gorgeous
headband.
Although this technique may feel complicated at first, don’t get
discouraged. Once you understand the pattern, you can do it with
your eyes closed! Have Fun!
16
Start by holding your ribbon
exactly in the middle. Make
a loop and grasp with the
thumb and forefinger. We
will call the Blue Ribbon “A”
and the Pink Ribbon “B”.
Take the ribbon on top, Ribbon “A”, fold under and push through the loop.
Gently pull the opposite ribbon, Ribbon “B” to tighten the loop around the
top loop.
Now take Ribbon “B”
and fold it under and
through the top loop.
Gently pull Ribbon “A”
snug around the
Ribbon “B” loop.
17
Now take Ribbon “B”,
fold under and push
through loop. Gently
pull Ribbon “A” snug
around Ribbon “B”.
Continue the pattern
until you have reached
the desired length for
your headband.
To finish the ribbon weave,
take the ribbon that would
go next in the pattern, and
instead of pushing a loop
through, thread the ribbon
through the loop. Gently
pull both ribbon ends for a
neat weave.
18
Turn the weave so the right side is up.
Pull the other ribbon over the weave so
it continues the pattern. Secure the
ribbon over the weave with hot glue.
To fasten over a hair elastic, simply fold
it over the elastic, and secure with glue.
Be sure to position the tails against the
weave to camouflage them.
19
**TIP** The Ribbon Weave Headband makes a gorgeous Special Occasion
Headband. Below are two examples of how to take your Ribbon Weave
Headband from adorable to Extraordinary.
Take your completed Ribbon Weave Headband, and glue the tail of your
selected trim to the underside of the headband. Turn the headband to the
right side, and using a gentle, rolling up and down pattern glue the trim on
the length of the headband.
Repeat the pattern using another trim, or in this example, a string of
decorative beads. If desired, add some silk rosettes.
20
Headband #5
Ribbon Headband
Supplies Needed:
1 yard ribbon
Hot glue gun
1 matching hair elastic
If you are looking for a quick and easy headband, start here. This
is a great way to use those really adorable printed ribbons, and
trims. (I LOVE using trims!)
Cut your ribbon or trim the same
size as baby’s head circumference,
minus one inch. For bigger hair
elastics, take two inches from the
circumference.
Loop one end of ribbon through
hair elastic, fold over about ¾”
and glue with glue gun.
21
**TIP** If you are concerned about your baby outgrowing her headband,
simply add 1-3 inches longer than baby’s head circumference minus one
inch. Use a larger fold to secure ends to hair elastic, and glue. When the
headband starts to get tight, use your clean glue gun tip to warm and soften
the glue. Gently pull it apart, and re-attach at the desired length.
Fold the other end through the
hair elastic and secure with glue.
Now, have some fun!
Attach an accessory, if
desired. Or, layer ribbons
and trims on ribbons to add
interest and detail.
22
Bow Basics
Simple and Pixie Bows
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards ribbon
9 inches “tying ribbon”
Or heavy embroidery floss
Hot glue gun
Mini Bowdabra **
I use the Mini Bowdabra (Bowdabra) to tie many of my bows. Any similar
bow tying tool will work.
A Simple Bow consists of two loops, one on each side of the
center tie. No fancy finger work here. Just tie a bow, cut the tails
even and treat the raw ends with Fray Check.
It’s extremely easy to tie, but I include it as a basic bow because I
love its simplicity, and because I use it occasionally in stacked
bows.
23
**TIP** When you are tying “nice” bows, from your tennis shoes
to your little girl's pretty dress sash, try this to make the bow lay
straight and beautiful: Make the first loop, wrap the ribbon
around the loop going backwards, bring it around from the top to
the bottom, and then through the loop. Don’t forget to fluff the
loops.
A Pixie Bow has three loops on each side of the center tie. Or, it
can have two loops and one tail on each side.
Start by laying the tie ribbon vertically in the Mini Bowdabra. Leaving a 12” tail, press your ribbon into the Bowdabra horizontally. To make a loop,
fold the ribbon over and press it into the tension spring at the center. Your
loops will be as big as the folds you make.
**TIP** Make the bow sizes in proportion to your baby’s age and size. For
example, smaller bows are more suitable for newborn babies. Toddlers can
carry off a larger sized bow.
If your ribbon is double sided, you simply fold the ribbon over as you make
loops. If your ribbon is single sided, twist the ribbon over tightly as you
press it into the tension spring, face side down so as you bring it back up,
the right side of the ribbon is showing.
24
Continue making loops until there are three (or two if your preference)
loops on each side. Bring the ends of the tying ribbon up, and tie once,
pulling tightly.
Gently remove the bow from the Bowdabra. Turn the bow over, and tie
once in the back, pulling tightly. Turn the bow to the front, and arrange the
loops of the bow.
**TIP** To make the bow loops symmetrical, try this: hold the bow in your
hand so that it is vertical, with three loops pointing up. Grasp the back loop
with your left thumb and finger, and the middle loop with your right thumb
and finger. Gently pull them apart, so they become the outside loops. The
top loop will be the center loop. Rotate the bow, and do the same with
the opposite side. Next, turn the bow horizontal, and pull the loops apart
as shown in the above picture. Repeat as necessary until the bow loops
have spread to your satisfaction.
25
Now pull the tie in the back very tight, and knot it securely. Cut the tails
very short against the knot. If you are cutting the bow tails off, do so now,
very short against the center tie. Be sure to treat all raw edges with Fray
Check.
To finish the pixie bow, take a 4-5” piece of matching ribbon, and tie a
single knot. Wrap the ribbon around your bow at the center line, knot side
up. Trim the tails short in back, so that they just overlap each other, and
glue down.
**TIP** Spread a little hot glue over the seam line and you won’t need to
treat it with Fray Check!
26
Bow Basics
Flowers
Supplies Needed:
Flower(s)
Needle and Thread
Hot Glue Gun
Covered Clip or
Prepared Headband
If babies had a list of “Ten Essential Accessories,” a big, pink daisy
clip or headband would have to be #1!
Of all the headbands my baby wore, I used the pink daisy the
most. I LOVED it! She would catch everyone’s attention, and get
so many compliments that sometimes I would want to take it off
because I was starting to feel conspicuous. But I didn’t – I loved
the flower too much! (And it did make my baby sooo cute!)
27
To prepare the flower, remove the stem, and plastic backing on the flower.
Cut the plastic core short, almost right up against the back of the flower.
Using the tip of your hot glue gun,
gently rub against the plastic core, and
let it melt a bit.
Using the hot glue gun tip, spread the
melted tip to the fabric right next to
the core – binding them together.
Spread hot glue over the core area,
and all around the back of the flower.
Attach the flower directly to your
prepared headband or clip.
28
The Double Stacked
Flower:
To do a double stacked flower, you will need
two flowers of the same shape and coordinating colors. Remove the blooms from
the plastic stem, pull off the plastic back, and
trim the plastic core, as shown above.
Put the silk petals back on the plastic core, alternating colors. Start with the
smaller sized petals first.
**TIP** Turn the petals so they are not stacked, but are fanned out.
Using a double threaded needle, sew up
through stack of petals. Be sure to place
the stitch close to the plastic center, so
the needle comes up underneath the
center of the flower, and remains
hidden.
29
Sew back down through the stack
of petals, making the stitch about
¼” long, and keeping the stitch
under the plastic stem.
Make about 3-4 stitches total.
Tie a secure knot, and trim
thread.
Using the nose of your hot glue gun, melt
the plastic core a little bit, and rub hot
glue around the plastic core to glue the
layers of petals to the plastic core a bit.
Allow to dry and set. Attach to
headband or clip.
30
Bow Basics
The Korker Bow
Supplies Needed:
3 yards ribbon, ¼” or 3/8 inch
Wooden dowels, ¼” or 3/8”
Wooden clothes pins
Needle and thread
This bow is all about fun. It’s cute all on its own, or use a few
curls to jazz up a stacked bow.
To curl the ribbon into permanent curls, the ribbon must be cooked. Start
by wrapping your ribbon (grosgrain works best) around the dowel. Use a
wooden clothespin at the top and bottom to secure the ribbon.
Place your ribbon covered dowels in a clean baking dish or sheet, and place
in a preheated 250 degree oven for about 20 min. Let them cool, and then
remove the ribbon.
31
Next, cut the ribbon in 2” segments. You can make them longer or smaller
depending on how big you would like your bow to be. Be sure to treat all
raw ends with Fray Check.
Thread your needle using heavy embroidery floss. (You may also quadruple
thread your needle by doubling your thread, and threading the folded side
of the thread through the needle.) Knot the end about 3” from the bottom.
Stack the ribbon segments on the needle, but do not push them onto the
thread.
**TIP** As you stack the ribbon segments, be sure to turn them to face
different directions, creating a nice round shape. After you finish stacking all
your ribbon segments, take a look at the shape of the Korker, and make any
adjustments needed.
32
Before you push the ribbon segments down off the needle to the thread,
grasp all pieces with your thumb and index finger. Hold them securely. Pull
the needle through. Immediately insert the needle back through about 1/8”
– ¼” apart from the needle exit site. Pull the needle through all layers.
Pull the thread completely through all layers of ribbon, so that there is no
loop on the top of the bow. Take both sides of the thread and tie a tight
square knot on the bottom of the bow. Clip the threads.
33
Attach the bow to a headband or clip, or onto a pixie bow for an adorable
stacked bow.
**TIP** I love using Korker curls in stacked bows. Check out some of these:
34
Bow Basics
Ruffled Ribbon Bow
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards ruffled ribbon
1 ½ yards accent ribbon
9” trim, 1-1 ½” wide
1 Accent, such as a button
9 inches “tying ribbon”
Or heavy embroidery floss
Hot glue gun
Mini Bowdabra
I would classify this bow as advanced. It’s not terribly difficult, but
you do need to be careful about a few details.
**TIP** As you twist the ribbon in the middle, be sure the ruffles
on the ribbon end up facing the right direction. I would not do
more than 3 loops with this bow – it gets too bulky.
**TIP** This is one of those bows that I would definitely put on a
clip. Why? Because it takes a bit of time to make, and is sooo
cute, I want my baby to wear it when she gets bigger!
35
Start by layering the accent ribbon over the ruffled ribbon.
Leaving about a 2” tail (longer if you are leaving decorative tails),
tightly twist the two ribbons together, so that it faces down, and
press the twist into the tension spring.
Now fold the ribbons back to make a loop, twist the ribbons
together tightly, and press into the tension spring.
**TIP** Make sure the ribbons are right against each other as you
make the loops. It makes a nicer looking bow.
Repeat the fold/loop steps until you have three loops on each
side. (Or leave two if you are leaving a decorative tail.) Tie the
tying ribbon around the bow once tightly.
36
Gently take the bow out of the Mini
Bowdabra. Turn the bow to the back.
Bring the tying ribbon to the back and tie
again, once, pulling tightly.
Fluff and arrange the loops as desired. (See page 21 for hints on arranging
loops into the perfect bow.)
Turn bow to back, tighten the single knot, and tie a double knot, pulling
very tightly.
Clip tying ribbon tails short, right to the knot, and seal ends with Fray
Check.
Clip ribbon tails short, right to the center line (if not using decorative tails)
and seal with Fray Check.
37
Cover the center line with a piece
of matching ribbon, about 5 inches
long and ½-5/8” wide. Put a small
line of glue (horizontally, no
longer than your ribbon) on the
front of the bow across the center
line. Place the ribbon on it. Press
down and let cool a bit.
Pull the ribbon around, so it fits snugly (if you are attaching it right to the
headband, attach the bow to the headband before this step. Then, wrap
this piece of ribbon around both the bow and headband. Continue as
directed.) Trim ribbon so it goes just barely past the middle line. Glue down
neatly. Seal the edge of the ribbon with hot glue.
For the accent piece you may use pre gathered lace, or you can make your
own. Take your selected trim, Gather it across the bottom, and pull tightly.
Secure the two sides together with a knot. (If you are using pre gathered
lace, gather it as well.)
38
To secure the gather,
you can run a few
stitches through the
center.
Whip stitch the edges
together. Knot the
thread, and clip ends.
Add a little glam to a decorative button by adding a rhinestone. Simply hot
glue it right on the center.
Glue the button on the center of the trim, and glue the trim on the center of
the bow, covering the center seam of the ribbon.
39
Creating bows becomes really fun when you relax, and let it
become art. I created this beauty with my coach of the day, my 8
year old daughter. She chose the colors and accents. I was a little
hesitant about her color selection, but it turned out fabulously! We
picked up the headband at the local drugstore.
This bow is so sweet and delicate. I usually don’t use embroidered
ribbon – the loose threads on the back need to remain hidden and
tend to get snagged. However, layered with another ribbon, the
loose threads were well hidden and protected. We used a Lady’s
pink lace trouser sock for the headband.
40
Bow Basics
Stacked Bows
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards ribbon
1 ½ yards accent ribbon
9 inches “tying ribbon”
Or heavy embroidery floss
5 inches ½” matching ribbon
Or 1 yard 3/8” ribbon to braid
Hot glue gun
Mini Bowdabra
1 accent, if desired
“Stacked Bows” is a bit of a general term. It includes two or more
of the following: simple, pixie, rosette or Korker bows.
One thing to keep in mind when creating a larger bow is to watch
how bulky it gets. Make sure it doesn’t get way out of proportion
to baby’s head.
Stacking bows is really fun. This is where you can let your
imagination go, and do some fabulous creating.
41
Double Pixie Bow:
Start by laying the tie ribbon vertically in the Bowdabra. Leaving a 1-2” tail,
press your ribbon into the Bowdabra horizontally. To make a loop, fold the
ribbon over and press it into the tension spring at the center. Your loops
will be as big as the folds you make.
If your ribbon is double sided, you simply fold the ribbon over as you make
loops. If your ribbon is single sided, twist the ribbon over tightly as you
press it into the tension spring, face side down so as you bring it back up,
the right side of the ribbon is showing.
Continue folding and making loops until
there are three loops on each side.
DO NOT tie the tying ribbon at this time,
and DO NOT remove the ribbon from
the Bowdabra.
42
Repeat the process with the contrast ribbon.
**TIP** I like to make the loops on the second bow just a bit shorter than
the first. If you are using smaller ribbon, it can be hard to hang onto. I use
my fingers to hold the ribbon down in the Bowdabra so it can’t get away
from me.
Tie the tying ribbon around the bows, once tightly. Gently remove the bow
from the Bowdabra. Turn the bow over, and tie again, once very tightly.
Arrange the loops of the bows.
Pull the tying ribbon very tight,
and tie a strong knot.
43
Clip all ribbon tails very short, and treat all raw ends with Fray Check.
Wrap the contrasting ribbon around the center line, leaving the seam line at
the top of the bow.
Attach your accessory on top of the bow.
Stacked bows:
Pixie with Rosette
Pixie with Korker
**attach a Rosette or Korker bow using hot glue.
44
Bow Basics
The Butterfly Bow
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards ribbon
(1” width used
in example)
1 ½ yards yarn
9” tying ribbon
Butterfly accent
1 rhinestone accent
(if desired)
Hot glue gun
This bow was one of my early designs, and I still love it. Like a
flower, a butterfly accent really catches attention, and brightens up
a bow.
For the above example, I used a fun yarn – I like the fluffy
"fairy/magical" look it adds. However, you could use any cute trim
or ribbon, as I did in the following example.
45
Place the tying ribbon vertically in the Bowdabra.
Loop three loops of ribbon on each side of the Bowdabra.
Do NOT tie the tying ribbon around the ribbon, or remove it from the
Bowdabra.
Using the yarn or trim, add three more loops to each side.
**TIP** Make the yarn/accent loops slightly smaller than the ribbon loops.
Bring the ends of the tying ribbon up, and tie tightly, one time.
Carefully remove the bow from the Bowdabra.
46
Turn the bow over, and tie the tying ribbon one time, very tightly.
Pull the loops of the bow to arrange them Pixie Style.
**See Pixie Bow Section**
Repeat with the accent loops.
Once the loops are arranged, pull the
tying ribbon very tightly, and tie in a
secure knot.
Cut all ribbon tails very short, to the
center tie line, and treat with Fray
Check. *If attaching to a headband, do
so now.
Use a piece of ribbon or the accent
yarn/trim to wrap around the center
tie line. Secure with glue.
47
Attach the butterfly to the top of the bow. If desired, attach a single
rhinestone to the butterfly. Attach to a clip if desired.
48
Bow Basics
The Overlay Bow
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards sheer ribbon
1 ½ yards accent ribbon
9 inches “tying ribbon”
Or heavy embroidery floss
Hot glue gun
Mini Bowdabra
1 flower or accent
The Overlay bow features two
ribbons tied together in the pixie
design. One of the ribbons is sheer,
the other is a double sided satin.
In the first example, the sheer
ribbon has a beautiful sparkle dot
pattern, and is the top ribbon. A
beautiful yellow daisy is used as an
accent.
The second example has the beautiful black satin ribbon on top of
the sheer black. A gorgeous sheer black rosette dramatically
accents the bow.
49
Example #1
Hold the ribbons layered together face side up. About 2 inches from the
end, twist the ribbon 180 degrees. Press the twist in the tension spring, so
that the right side is showing on the tail, and the wrong side is showing on
the long end of the ribbon.
Fold the ribbon up to create your first loop, and twist 180 degrees. Press
the twist into the tension spring.
**TIP** Make the twist very tight to ensure that the loops of the bow lay
nicely.
**TIP** To make sure the loops of your bow are shaped evenly, use a pen
or any other smooth tool, to slip into the loop, and make sure the ribbon is
evenly distributed along the fold of the loop. Gently pull on the ribbons on
the opposite side of the spring tension as you hold the pen tight. This also
ensures that the two ribbons stay even throughout the bow.
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Repeat the folding process, creating three loops on each side.
Tie the tying ribbon around the bow once, and pull tightly.
Carefully remove the bow from the Bowdabra. Turn the bow over and tie
the tying ribbon once on the back one time, and pull tightly.
Arrange the loops of the bow. Pull the tying ribbon very tight, and tie a
strong knot. Trim the tails of the tying bow and bow very short, and treat
with Fray Check.
Using a 4” piece of the satin ribbon, cover the center line of the bow.
Secure the ribbon with glue, letting the seam of the ribbon band show on
top.
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**TIP** To make the bow loops symmetrical, try this: hold the bow in your
hand so that it is vertical, with three loops pointing up. Grasp the back loop
with your left thumb and finger, and the middle loop with your right thumb
and finger. Gently pull them apart. Rotate the bow, and do the same with
the opposite side. The top loop will be centered in the middle. Repeat as
necessary until the loops have spread to your satisfaction.
To prepare your flower as an accent, remove the steam, and any plastic
backing on the flower. Cut the plastic core quite short, almost up against
the back of the flower. Using your hot glue gun, spread some hot glue
around the plastic core, and melt the core a bit with the tip of your glue
gun. This will secure the core to the edges of the silk flower – keeping them
together.
Glue the flower on to the bow.
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Example #2
Hold the ribbons layered together face side up. About 2 inches from the
end, twist the ribbon 180 degrees. Press the twist in the tension spring, so
that the right side is showing on the tail, and the wrong side is showing on
the long end of the ribbon.
Fold the ribbon up, creating your first loop, and twist 180 degrees. Press the
twist into the tension spring.
Repeat the folding process, creating three loops on each side.
Tie the tying ribbon around the bow once, and pull tightly.
Carefully remove the bow from the Bowdabra. Turn the bow over and tie
the tying ribbon once on the back one time, and pull tightly.
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Arrange the loops of the bow. Pull the tying ribbon very tight, and tie a
strong knot. Trim the tails of the tying bow and bow very short, and treat
with Fray Check.
Using a 4” piece of the satin ribbon, cover the center line of the bow.
Secure the ribbon with glue, letting the seam of the ribbon band show on
top.
Glue the Black Sheer Ribbon Rosette on top.
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Bow Basics
The Five Loop Bow
Supplies Needed:
2 yards ribbon
9 inches accent ribbon,
3/8” wide
9 inches “tying ribbon”
Or heavy embroidery floss
3 Small Silk Flowers
Needle and thread
Hot glue gun
Mini Bowdabra
The five loop bow is a richer, fuller bow than the three loop pixie bow.
All five loops are the same ribbon.
The following example uses a beautiful “feathered” ribbon, or a picot
ribbon, in a 5/8” width. It makes a very feminine bow – especially
paired with flowers.
I love putting flowers on my bows and headbands because they are an
element of natural beauty.
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Start the five loop bow as if tying a pixie or three loop bow. Make three evenly
sized loops on each side. Then, create two more loops on each side that are
smaller than the first three.
Tie the tying ribbon around the bow once, very tightly. Remove the bow from the
Bowdabra. Turn the bow over and tie the tying ribbon once on the back
one time, and pull tightly.
Arrange the loops on the bow. Pull
the back three in the pixie bow
formation, and spread the front
two. Pull the tying ribbon very
tightly and tie a strong knot. Clip all
tails very short, to the center line,
and treat with Fray Check.
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Cover the center line with a piece of the same ribbon.
Arrange the three small silk flowers, and glue well onto the top of the bow.
**TIP** As baby gets older, she will undoubtedly like to grab hold of those
beautiful bows and pull them off her head. Sometimes these little flowers get
pulled out of stem. I love this bow too much to let it go, so it was extremely
helpful to have a few extra flowers in my craft drawers to use as replacements
should one of the blossoms get lost. Keep a few extras to be used “just in case”
and to save mommy’s stress levels.
Tie a simple bow with the contrast ribbon. Trim
ends and seal with Fray Check.
Using the needle and thread, make a few securing
stitches right through the center of the bow. Be
discreet about the placement of the stitches as
they will show. Trim thread ends and glue bow
on top of the flower stems, positioning it to look
as if it were tied around the flowers.
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**TIP**
You will notice the loops on this bow are very neat and tidy, as opposed to
the fluffy, unorganized loops on the bow in the first example. (The first
example also has decorative ribbon tails)
The difference is all in how you pull the loops. Do a little experimenting to
decide how you prefer the loops. Another difference is the finishing ribbon
around the center line. A wider ribbon will push the loops down. If you
want fluffier loops, use a narrower finishing ribbon or leave it off!
The great thing about making your own bows is being able to personalize
them to your tastes!
**TIP**
Another way to arrange the 5-Loop Bow is by pulling
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Bow Basics
The Ribbon Rosette
Supplies Needed:
1 ½ yards ribbon
Needle and thread
Making Ribbon Rosettes is so much fun! Sheer ribbon works the
best for Rosettes. However, you can make a rosette out of any
ribbon, trim, or fabric strip.
Stiffer materials will make a stiffer rosette. If the rosette is getting
too bulky, use less ribbon/trim etc.
**TIP** You can also hold two ribbons layered together and make
a bi-colored rosette. Or, make a rosette with a satin ribbon and
tulle.
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Seal edges of ribbon with Fray
Check, and allow to dry.
Anchor the thread to the lower
corner of the ribbon. If you are
using a wide ribbon, you may
want to fold it in half lengthwise.
Sew a gathering stitch the length
of the ribbon.
Pull the thread and gather the
ribbon. Start at the beginning
end and carefully roll the gathers
into a ball. Tighten the thread as
needed. The tighter you pull the
more gathers the Rosette will
have.
Hold the roll of ruffles tightly in
one hand. Make sure all ruffles
point out, and are not caught in
the seam side.
Pull the thread tightly, tie a knot at the
end but do not trim the thread.
Take several stitches through the bottom
of the rosette, at various angles. Try to
catch all layers of the ribbon.
Make sure not to catch any ruffles in the
stitches, as this may affect the shape of
the rosette.
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Tie thread off in a secure knot, and clip threads.
Fluff and arrange the Rosette.
TRY THIS!
To add interesting
detail, or to dress up
your Ribbon Rosette,
carefully glue in some
little silk flowers. Use
a small dot of hot glue
on the end of each
flower, and glue it
directly to the center
of the rosette in
various locations.
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**TIP**
One thing to consider when making
Ribbon Rosettes is the height of the
Rosette. If the Rosette gets too tall, it
makes the bow look too big for
baby’s head. An easy way to remedy
this without buying another spool of
ribbon is to carefully trim your ribbon
the desired width. Seal off the long
edge of the ribbon. Sew along the
cut and sealed edge.
**TIP** Although I almost always
prefer using Fray Check to a flame,
sealing the long edge of ribbon before
creating a Rosette is very convenient –
especially if you don’t want to wait
for it to dry. Be careful to not create a
big thick seam, or it will not gather
nicely.
**TIP** Some sheer ribbons and organdy/organza ribbons look much better
when they are heat sealed, rather than fray checked. Most of the time you
can’t see the fray check on the fabric, but with some sheers you can.
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Bow Basics
The * Fire-Cracker Bow *
Supplies Needed:
2 yds ribbon – ½”-5/8” wide
1 ½ - 2 yards ribbon each of
Three colors ribbon (opt)
Wooden Dowels (3-4)
Wooden Clothespins (6-8)
Needle and thread
I created this bow as I was tying up bows for the 4th of July. I
wanted a bow that was sparkly and exciting, just like a fire-cracker!
I was pretty happy with the final result! You can use a multicolored Korker on top, or just one color. You can also make the
Korker as big and full as you like!
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First, cut the wider ribbon into 2” lengths. (Cut
them longer for a bigger bow, shorter for a
smaller bow). You should have about 24 lengths
of ribbon.
Next, stack 2-3 ribbons on top of each other. Make sure the bottoms line
up flush. Cut the top in a 45 degree point. Continue to stack and cut
ribbons so that they are all exactly (or pretty close) the same size and shape.
Then you seal the edges of the ribbons. I
like to stack the ribbons about 4-5 thick, and
run the Fray Check on both the top and
bottom of the ribbons. Make sure it seeps
about 1/8” into all raw edges of ribbon.
Separate them and lay them flat to dry.
About five to ten minutes is long enough.
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Now we will gather the ribbon strips into a big “flower”. Thread your
needle with double threads. Anchor the thread at the bottom corner of one
ribbon strip. Using the basic up and down or gather stitch, sew along the
bottom of the strip, about 1/8” or a little more from the bottom.
When you reach the end of the first
strip, pick up another strip and
continue on. Continue in this manner
until all strips are gathered together.
Pull the thread tightly to gather the
ribbons into a flower formation.
Arrange the ribbons so they all lie
nicely and face up. Focus on the shape
of the “flower.” Sew the ends together
and tie a strong secure knot.
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Cover an alligator clip with matching ribbon. Attach the Ribbon flower to
the clip, set aside.
Now we will make a Korker Bow to go on top. Wrap your smaller ribbons
around your wooden dowels. For a fuller, bigger Korker, use 4 dowels, for
a smaller Korker, use 3. Bake the ribbon at 250 degrees for 20 min. Allow
to cool, unwrap ribbon, cut into 2” sections, and treat ends.
Using a double threaded needle with a 2” long tail, thread the curls on the
needle, curls facing up. Rotate the ends around in a nicely shaped circle.
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When all curls are on the needle, grasp them snugly with your thumb and
forefinger right at the base of the needle. Pull the needle through the
ribbons. Reinsert the needle through the pile of ribbons about 1/8” apart
from the exit site of the thread.
**TIP** When using tiny ribbons as shown above, I like to sew another
stitch up and down through the stack of ribbons to make sure I’ve secured
each curl. It also makes the bow feel more secure.
Now take the tail end of the thread and the opposite end, and tie in a tight,
secure knot. (Double or Triple knot.) Trim ends and fluff bow.
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Put a little puddle of glue in the open area of your flower bow. Then
taking the bottom end of the Korker bow in your fingers, insert it carefully
into the glue. Allow to sit and set.
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**TIP** Try using a 1/8” dowel
for tiny, tightly curled Korkers.
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Bow Basics
The Loopy Bow
Supplies Needed:
2/3 yard ribbon length
Per each strand ribbon
Lightweight Floral Wire
Alligator Clip
3/8” wide ribbon to cover Clip
1” of the same ribbon
When I was a teen working in a craft store, we would use this
method to decorate French barrettes. While I used the same
method, the results were a lot cuter this time around! Get creative
and use different kinds of ribbon and trim. This is a great bow to
use up ribbon ends and scraps!
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To start, select your ribbon you will be using. For ribbon 5/8” or less, use 34 strands. For ribbon 1 1/4” or wide, use one strand. For a multi
ribbon/trim bow – use whatever you want!
Cover your clip with a matching 3/8” ribbon.
Open the clip, and hold it open with
your index finger. Hold the end of the
wire down the clip with your thumb,
and wrap it around the base of the
grasp (and into the top of the clip – not
both sides) a couple of times.
As you wrap the wire around
the top of the clip and ribbon,
you will bring the wire around
and in between your finger and
the bottom of the clip. Slide it
through and pull it tightly each
time you wrap it.
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**TIP** Holding the clip open and wrapping the wire past your finger may
get a bit uncomfortable. It wasn’t unbearable for me. However, you may
decide to try the same method on a French barrette – on which you can
undo the bottom and wrap a lot easier. I chose to use a clip so it will stay
more securely in baby hair.
Leaving a tail 1-2” long (or longer if you
wish) hold the ribbon sections over the
wire starting site, and wrap the wire
tightly over the ribbons. Wrap the wire
about 3-4 times.
Now, fold the ribbon to create your first loop. Wrap the base of the loop
with the wire in the same method.
** TIP** Plan ahead how many loops you want your bow to have, and
how high you want the loops. I recommend graduating the height of the
loops so the middle loop is the tallest, and the side ribbons gradually get
smaller. Generally you would want to have an odd number of loops.
However, on the above example, I could only fit 6 loops, and I wanted it
fuller than 5. So I did 6.
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Continue folding loops, and wrapping the wire until all loops are made.
Wrap the wire a few more times to secure. Fold the wire underneath the
clip and glue with hot glue. Allow to dry.
Trim the tails in a decorative cut, as desired. Seal with Fray Check and
allow to dry.
Now separate the loops of ribbon.
Firmly grasp and pull them in separate
directions. You may need to arrange
them more than once to get it just as
you want it.
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When you have the loops spread
and arranged, it is time to cover
the wires inside the clip.
Take the 1” scrap of ribbon.
Measure it against the clip, and
trim to fit exactly. Seal the edges.
Glue under the clip to cover and
secure all wires.
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Bow Basics
Ribbon Flowers
Supplies Needed:
18” ribbon,
about 1” – 1 ½” wide
Needle & Thread
Flowers make adorable hair accessories. Ribbon flowers
are a lot of fun to make. They can be fancy, or they can
be simple. They can be used all by themselves, or as an
accent for a more glamorous bow. A great way to use
smaller cuts of wide ribbon!
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There are 3 types of ribbon flowers we
will cover:
5 Petal (Flat)
5 Petal (gathered)
Folded Loop
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5 Petal (Flat)
Prepare the ribbon petals by
cutting 5 petal shaped sections out of the
ribbon. Make sure they are all the same
size. Treat the edges generously with
Fray Check. Allow to dry. When all
dry, you can trim the edges again so they
are neat and clean.
a
Using a double threaded needle, anchor the thread to the end of the flat
side of one petal. Using a gather stitch, sew 1/8” along the edge of the
petal. Continue with the rest of the petals.
Pull the thread tightly to gather the petals. Sew the ends together with a
couple of stitches, and then secure tightly with a good knot. Use a medium
to large sized embellishment or accent to cover the center, secure with glue.
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5 Petal (gathered)
Cut the petals from ribbon in a wide U shape. Treat the raw edges
generously with fray check. Allow to dry. Secure the thread to the corner
of a petal, and sew 1/8” from the edge, along the rounded edge using a
gather stitch.
Pull the thread tightly to gather the petal. Continue with all petals.
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Gather the thread tightly. Bring the ends together and sew them together
with a couple of stitches. Secure the thread with a very secure knot.
You can secure the shape of the flower by taking extra stitches through the
center of the gathered middle. Use a square box pattern, sewing one stitch
through each side. You can also take some stitches through the center of the
circle in an X pattern.
Cover the center with an embellishment or accent using hot glue.
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Folded Loop
Cut the ribbon into 2” pieces. (For the example, I used 24 pieces of ribbon.
You could use fewer pieces if using wider ribbon.) All pieces need to be
exactly the same length. (Cut the pieces shorter for a smaller flower.) Treat
the ends with fray check or a lighter.
Fold the ribbon in the middle. Using a double threaded needle, pick up
your first ribbon and sew along the bottom using a gather stitch. When
using narrow ribbon, you may only be able to get two stitches into each
looped end. Continue with all the ribbons.
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Pull the thread tightly to gather the ribbon loops. Sew the ends together
with a couple of stitches. Tie off with a secure knot. Cover the center with
a medium to large embellishment or accent.
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Bonus Section #1
Making Clips and Barrettes
Supplies Needed:
Clips or Barrettes
About 9” ribbon per barrette/clip
Any accessories/accents you wish to use
Hot Glue Gun
Making Barrettes and Clips is a lot of fun. It takes just a few
minutes, and just a few inches of ribbon. It’s also a fabulous
option for mommies of baby’s who will not leave a headband on
their head.
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Barrettes:
Hold the barrette open in your hand. Slide the ribbon (wrong side facing
you) in the open barrette pushing the ribbon as far back as it will go.
Spread a light bead of hot glue all over the ribbon and barrette. Neatly fold
it over and press against the glue. Be sure to match edges together, and
press the fold flat.
Fold the ribbon over the back of the barrette. Trim the ribbon straight
across where the two ribbons meet, allowing a little overlap. Spread a light
ribbon of glue all over the back of the remaining ribbon. Fold the ribbon
over the back of the barrette, matching the edges, and press the fold flat.
Seal the raw edge of ribbon with either Fray Check or a little bit of hot glue
over the seam.
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**TIP** Some babies may have enough hair to hold a barrette, but so far
none of mine have! You can use a bit of hot glue on the back of the
barrette to help it grip the hair. Just spread a light ribbon of glue all over
the back. Allow it to dry while the barrette is open.
This barrette is absolutely adorable as is, but I love pizzazz.
I took a little piece of sheer trim, lightly glued it to the front (so the glue
wouldn’t show through) . . .
Then tucked the ends to the back and secured with glue.
This is definitely one of my favorites.
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Clips
Covering a clip is very similar.
Put the ribbon inside the clip. Spread some glue over the ribbon and clip.
Fold over, matching edges, and press the fold flat.
Spread a light thread of glue over the back of
about an inch and a half of ribbon. Press
along and into the grasp on the clip. Press the
folds flat.
Fold the ribbon along the back of the grasp of
the clip. Attached with glue, and trim.
Attach an accessory of your choice.
** I like to leave the bottom prong
of the clip clean so that it will easily
slide into baby’s hair or onto a headband.
** Open the jaws of the clip and lightly spread a flat thread of glue on the
ribbon. Allow to dry. This allows the clip to gently hang on to baby’s fine
hair.
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Bonus Section #2: Tips, FAQ, and
Picture Ideas
TIPS:
Sizing Guide for Headbands:
Generic headband sizing for babies:
0-3 months:
about 12”
3-12 months:
about 13”
12 months +: about 14”
A good headband will fit for a good long time. The technique
materials used for the headband will impact the size as well.
Headband:
Ribbon
Cut the ribbon 1” less than the circumference of baby’s head.
If hair elastic is more than 1” wide, subtract an additional 1”.
Headband:
Braided Headband
Finished braid should be about 2” smaller the circumference of
baby’s head. This is a very elastic headband – it will stretch quite a
bit. If it starts getting too loose, you may get it wet/wash it and
allow it to dry.
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Headband: Nylon
Finished headband should be about 1” to 1 ½” smaller than the
circumference of baby’s head. While this headband is very
stretchy, the stretch is not as resilient as the cotton Lycra band.
Make sure the band is not uncomfortable for baby, while at the
same time snug. A snug band will stay in place better.
Headband: Cotton-Lycra Microfiber
This headband can be up to 1”-3” smaller than the circumference
of baby’s head. It is very stretchy, and the stretch is forgiving. I
generally went with the girls tight sizes:
S (6)
Newborn
M (8)
6-10 months
L (10)
12-18 months +
HOWEVER, you can give these headbands a really good stretch
and increase their circumference/size by up to 2”. A Medium size
may last you longer than 10 months.
These are just suggestions – measure your baby’s head and use
what you think will be comfortable for her.
Ribbon Weave:
The length of the weave should be about 3” shorter than the
circumference of baby’s head, or smaller if your hair elastic is
wider than 1”.
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The weave has a good amount of give, or stretch, in it. As
headbands stay on better when they are nice and snug, make sure
it’s not loose. (Some trims may not “give” as much as ribbon.
Something to keep in mind should you experiment with different
materials.)
If the weave is too long, gently pull on the unsecured tails to undo
the weave until it is your desired length.
Keeping Baby Warm:
The Cotton Lycra Microfiber headbands work
great in cold weather to keep baby’s ears warm.
Just pull the band over their ears.
Hats, Hats, Hats:
Headbands and hair clips make great
accessories to baby’s hats and clothes.
Clip flowers to dress straps or skirts, or
put headbands
over a hat to
add interest. I especially love putting
flower headbands on summer hats.
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How to “anchor the thread” to the headband:
First, thread your needle and
tie both ends together with a
knot, making a double strand.
String the needle and thread
through the corner of the
fabric you are anchoring – for
the headbands choose an
anchor site about 1/4” from
both edges, at the corner. Pull
the thread almost all the way
through, and leave a 1-2” tail. Insert the needle and thread
through the threads above the knot, and pull tight.
Gluing Sheer Ribbon:
When gluing sheer ribbon, especially when covering a clip or
barrette, be aware of the hot glue that can seep through the
ribbon. When you need to press the ribbon down into the glue,
lightly wet your finger to keep it from sticking to the hot glue.
Touch lightly!
Which way is it facing?
When you glue a bow (especially one with tails) on a barrette or
clip, make sure that it is facing the way you would clip it into
baby’s hair. Does it need to be clipped on the right or left side of
her head? You may want to make a set of barrettes, one for each
side.
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Do I need to finish raw cotton-Lycra edges with Fray Check?
Generally the answer to this question is “no”. Most of the raw
edges will be covered or sewn and will be fine. However, there is
one piece of Cotton-Lycra on the braided headband that should be
treated with Fray Check to increase its durability.
On the braided headband there is a little square of Cotton Lycra
that is used to make a band around the headband to hold clips. I
like using the same material as the headband because it looks nice.
It also holds clips nicely because it is stretchy. However, it will be
taking some abuse in the form of a metal clip being taken on and
off frequently. I advise you cut the square a little on the larger size
(about 1” wide) and seal the edges against fraying or running with
Fray Check.
If the band wears out, it can be cut off and replaced.
Another alternative would be to use a matching piece of ribbon.
“Tying Ribbon”
This term refers to the ribbon used to hold the bow together. You
will find that the wider the ribbon used as the “tying ribbon,” the
smaller spread of the loops on your bow.
Using 1/8” grosgrain ribbon will give you a very strong hold on
the bow while still allowing very nice spread of the loops. If you
would like larger spread, I advise using a strand of heavy
embroidery floss.
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Sizing Bows:
I have noticed a pattern evolve with the size of bows I prefer on
my baby’s head.
Proportion is important when putting bows on baby’s head.
Infants need a smaller bow to fit their smaller head. An overly
large bow looks (forgive me - ) ridiculous. They are a delicate and
precious little creature, and a delicate, smaller bow looks best.
As they grow older, bows a little bigger seem to look best on their
headbands.
As they grow older yet, and less tolerant of headbands, I have
found that it is quite handy to pull out the smaller infant bows
(attached to a clip) and clip it into their hair. The bigger sized
bows do not look quite right without the headband, but the
smaller sized headbands look adorable.
Save the larger sized bows (on clips) to use in their hair as they
continue to grow. They will be lovely clipped into pony tails and
braids.
So bottom-line – my advice is to size the bows and headbands
appropriately, and store them correctly. Hopefully, you’ll be
using them again!
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Attaching flowers to clips:
Flowers look great clipped into hair, but they don’t look great on
just any kind of clip. Some clips bend the flower or lift up the
petals on one side. The best kind of clip to use for flowers (that I
have used) is a rectangular shaped, flat clip. Their flat top is
perfect for hanging onto the flower, while not causing it to be
misshaped.
If you do not have one available (you can order them online) you
can use a regular single prong clip. Attach the flower to the prong
a little to the side and not centered. This will help the petals to lay
a little flatter.
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FAQ:
Q: Can I use wired ribbon to tie bows?
A: Of course! The wire edging is used in floral arrangements to
hold the shape of the bow. However, in use as a baby bow, it
will most likely become misshapen.
I advise that you remove the
wire. To remove the wire, gently
push the cut end of the ribbon
back until the wire is exposed.
Grasp the wire and gently pull it
out an inch or two. Next, grasp
the ribbon at the opposite end, or
if the length of ribbon is too long,
about 12-18 inches down and
gently pull the ribbon off the
wire. Pulling the ribbon off the
wire instead of pulling the wire out of the ribbon takes the stress
off the wire, so it doesn’t break as easily. If it does break, find the
end of the wire along the edge of the ribbon, and gently push is
through the ribbon. Continue to pull it out a bit, and pull the
ribbon off the wire.
Q: What is the best way to launder my headbands and bows?
A: All headbands should be gently washed by hand only, with mild
detergent. Gently squeeze the excess water out of headbands by
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wrapping them in a clean towel and squeezing them a bit. Allow
to line dry.
Some bows can be hand washed; others may need to be surface
washed only. The kind of ribbon used and the type of bow will
determine this.
I don’t recommend blotting flowers with a towel. Only wash
flowers if you must. The petals tend to unravel with too much
friction. If something such as baby food gets spattered on a
flower, wipe it off immediately. If it dries before you can get to it,
soften it with a bit of water, and then carefully wipe it clean.
Q. How can I get my baby to wear a headband?
A. There is no guaranteed method to get a baby to leave her
headband alone. However, being resourceful and understanding
baby’s stages will help alleviate this frustration.
Infants will generally ignore their headbands altogether, unless it is
hurting their head. If the headband is uncomfortable, I advise you
either get a bigger headband, or a headband with softer fabric.
If your infant is somewhat on the bald side, bigger bands such as
the Cotton-Lycra Microfiber Headband are perfect. They stay
snug, comfortable, and take the shine off their cute little heads.
If you are one of the lucky parents whose infant has lots of long
hair, the smaller headbands will stay in place better. The ribbon
headband, ribbon weave headband, and braided headband would
be great options – using narrower ribbons.
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From about 6 months to a year, baby will start to grab at
headbands. This is completely consistent with their development.
They are naturally curious, and want to know what in the world
you keep putting on their head.
Try some of these methods to help them leave their headbands in
place:
 Diversion & Distraction: Divert baby’s attention with a
distraction: siblings, toys, snack etc., and quickly put the
headband on their head. Be ready with another diversion if
needed after they feel the headband put into place.
 Let them pick which accessory to use, and say “So Pretty!” Its
fun to show baby all of her pretty hair accessories. Take two
bows/headbands down and let her see them. If she points or
show a preference to one of them, let her wear that one.
Hold her in front of the mirror and say “So Pretty!” (Note –
if you generally need to distract baby – this may not be the
method for you!)
 Teach baby not to touch the headband by firmly but kindly
telling her “no” when she grabs at it. Divert her attention
immediately afterwards.
If baby has reached the stage where none of these tactics work,
don’t lose heart. The next thing for you is clips and barrettes!
They are much less noticeable, easier to sneak into baby’s hair, and
just as fun, if not more fun to make.
If baby will no longer wear the beautiful headbands and bows you
have created, hang on to them for awhile. As baby grows into
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toddlerhood she may find a new love for her hair accessories. Clip
those beautiful bows onto ponytails and braids!
She may even enjoy wearing some of the headbands again!
Q. I can’t find any supplies! Can I get some online?
A. Absolutely! Check the resources page to see some of the sites I
have found.
Q. What is the best way to store my headbands and bows?
A. There are a couple of different options to protect your
headbands and bows.
1 – I have my headbands hanging on a 3M hanger attached to my
bathroom mirror. This seems to be a good way to keep them put
away, clean, and protected. I also have a couple of 1” ribbons
hanging from the top of my mirror. I attach my clips and barrettes
to keep them organized, clean and protected. It’s nice to have
them all organized so I can easily pick
one for my baby.
2 – Another great tool is the French
Ribbon Board or French Memo Board,
or something similar. Ribbon crisscrossed over a soft fabric surface allows
ample space for clips and barrettes.
Headbands may also be tucked under
the ribbon to hold them on the board.
Hang the board in the bathroom or
baby’s room for a beautiful display.
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3 – As long as there is ample space, headbands and bows can be
stored loosely in a drawer or plastic container. Be careful that they
don’t get smashed, however, or they may become misshaped.
Q. I have a bow that was smashed in the bottom of my diaper bag
and the ribbons are squished flat. Can I fix it?
A. Absolutely it can be fixed. The best way to reshape ribbon
bows is to wash them (or just get them wet), reshape the ribbon
while it is wet, and let them dry. I have used a hairdryer to dry
my bows when I was in a hurry. Just be careful with the heat if
the ribbon is delicate. Sometimes the gathered layers in the ribbon
Rosettes will flatten easily. I like to get them wet and use the
hairdryer on warm/hot to reshape the ribbon.
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Picture Ideas
I call this cute little bow a
“Newborn Bow.” The
smaller sized bow and
soft, wide headband
make it perfect for a cute
little bald head.
Try using a trim, or a double
sided lace to cover the center
line of the bow. This pretty
sheer double lace added a lot of
interest.
This double pixie bow with tails
uses satin and velvet ribbons,
and is accented with a pretty
gold and rhinestone trim. We
used a stretch lace headband.
(Very easy.)
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Barrette with white trim on
sheer white double ruffle lace
– gorgeous! It turned out
awesome, and is so versatile.
Striped ribbon on a barrette
with a pretty gold and
rhinestone trim. Baby’s big
sister snagged this one for her
collection.
A barrette covered with a
yellow ribbon weave, and a
cute little butterfly perched on
top. I added a white
rhinestone for the butterfly.
This barrette is covered in a
double ruffle purple trim. I
added a glittery purple tulle
rosette for some sparkle.
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Don’t stop with pink daisies. This
gorgeous flower is a great fall
accessory. I like to clip it to baby’s
jumper dresses or at the waist of her
skirt as well. (That makes for a
fabulous picture.)
This pretty barrette is covered
in red velvet, and accented
with a single blossom. So easy
and so pretty. It’s a great
seasonal barrette.
A simple bow accented with a cute
button.
This patriotic cutie has blue
dot grosgrain ribbon, and a
sparkly red star accented
with a white rhinestone.
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As my baby grew less tolerant of headbands, we moved towards clips and
barrettes. I loved them because they were cute and she left them alone.
My older daughters, aged 8, 10 & 12, also loved them. They used them and
lost them just as well as my baby did. I decided I would make them a
variety of their own clips and barrettes, and let the baby borrow from them
for a while. These are what I made them – they’re a bit more trendy and
stylish, and baby thinks that’s fine!
Wide ribbon with a diagonally laid
accent ribbon makes a very visually
striking clip.
This beautiful woolen flower
cutout is paired with the wrong
side of a single faced satin ribbon
to add more texture and interest.
Metallic trim and a cleverly placed rhinestone make these simple ribbon
accessories exciting.
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Flowers and ribbon were made to be together. I love combining them.
It’s so fun to layer ribbon and trim . . . .
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A well placed accent turns ribbon or trim into simplistic beauty.
This trim isn’t really trim. I used an extra
scrap of fabric with some pretty stitching; I
used Fray Check to seal the edges so it
wouldn’t fray.
A short ribbon weave attached to a barrette
makes an attention-grabbing hair accessory.
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Overlay Bows:
This gorgeous sheer ribbon
with sequin trim works
fabulously over a plain satin
ribbon. I love doing 5 loop
bows when the ribbon is ½”
or less wide.
We all love this 5 loop
overlay bow with the
grumpy frog! Plain green
sheer ribbon over a fun green
dot grosgrain makes a super
fun “not pink” bow!
To add volume and just for fun, I used
two widths of sheer purple organza
ribbon in this 3 loop pixie overlay.
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I loved how wonderfully
shaped this bow turned out! In
the basic 3 loop pixie overlay
pattern, I use a beautiful
patterned ½” ribbon over a 1
¼” wide tulle ribbon. Then I
made a small tulle rosette for
the first accent, and used an
adorable button on top. Easy!
This sparkly pink organdy
ribbon was so much fun! I
used it here in an overlay
over a printed satin ribbon,
with a organdy rosette on
top.
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Stacked Bows:
Narrower Ruffled Ribbon made
an adorable Double Pixie Bow.
Just make 6 loops on each side,
the top three a bit shorter.
Coordinating yellow ribbon
made into a fun set of Double
Pixie matching bows – perfect
for two little pig tails!
Sassy Korker Bows are one of
my favorite ways to add spunk
to bows. These pretty brown
curls accent the 5-loop pixie
bow nicely.
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Ruffled Ribbon Bows:
I love the smaller Ruffled
Ribbon. It makes a perfect
Medium to Small sized
bow. Layered with a pretty
grosgrain and jazzed up
with some tiny little
Korkers – Adorable!
Just Right for the 4th of July! Shiny
Blue Satin/Sheer Ribbon accents the
Red Small Ruffled Ribbon in this
Ruffled Ribbon Pixie.
Another great layered Ruffled
Ribbon Bow. Red and White
works with Christmas, Valentines,
4th of July, Labor Day & cute red
outfits! Try making Korkers in lots
of sizes-they’re so fun!
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Rosettes:
For a more colorful bow – use 2
or more colors of ribbon in a
Rosette! Soft Sheers work the best
for this.
For easy color and design, use
patterned soft sheer/satin ribbon.
This 1 ¼” wide ribbon tied up
spectacularly – although a little tall.
OK for a toddler, I suggest
trimming the ribbon to about ¾”
wide for babies.
One of my favorites – this little beauty
is a perfect example of a
Rosette/Korker/Overlay Stacked Bow!
I love this little Rosette as an accent.
For this size, I used ribbon 3/8” wide.
Experiment and have fun!
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Korker Bows:
Korkers are great all on their own – but I love to stack em!
This beautiful braided trim
made a very detail rich Korker.
I stacked it on a beautiful 5
Loop Pixie out of Decorated
Sheer Ribbon.
Another of my favorites! A
wonderful Korker made of 3
ribbons sits atop a lovely
matching 5 Loop Pixie.
Little blossoms accent on
top. A fabulously rich in
detail bow – and so nicely
shaped!
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Ribbon Flowers:
A basic 5 Petal Flower made
of the lovely picot edge satin
ribbon, shadowed with sheer
white ribbon petals. The giant
rhinestone is the perfect
center.
OR, a basic 5 Petal Flower
made of feathered or picot
edge Ribbon sits beautifully on
top of a matching 5 Loop
Bow. Both are perfect for any
special occasion!
This beautiful flower is made of Sparkled Pink
Organdy Ribbon and Pink Tulle. Both were
cut in large round petals, and gathered in
Rosette fashion to make them stand up, rather
than lie flat.
The folded loop flower is beautiful in
narrow or wide ribbon (you choose
how many petal loops!)
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Loopy Bow:
A great bow to use lots of
colors and different kinds of
ribbon – perfect for the 4th of
July! Lots of enthusiasm and
interest in this bow!!
Conversely, soft delicate
sheers and soft fuzzy trim
makes this Loopy Bow seem
to belong to a Fairy Princess.
This beautiful braided trim made a
very fun Loopy Bow. Rather than try
to tame the easily frayed ends, I let
them go! I sealed the ends about ¾”
up to keep it from completely
unraveling.
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Online Resources:
Wholesale
Retail
http://www.such-a-deal.com
http://www.finerribbon.com
http://www.jkmribbon.com
http://www.laceandtrim.com
http://www.artisticribbon.com
www.laceheaven.com
http://www.bbcrafts.com
http://www.theribbonretreat.com
http://www.ribbonjar.com
http://www.bbcrafts.com
http://www.ribbonfactory.com
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