DIY Gymboree Bows
Hair bows can add a finishing touch to any child's outfit, but building a collection of these tiny accessories can be expensive. Since the bows are easy to lose, it makes sense to find an affordable way to maintain your child's hair bow wardrobe. A few supplies found at your local craft store are all you need to create special bows for any occasion.
Things You'll Need
- Oven
- Scissors
- 3/8-inch grosgrain ribbon
- Glue gun
- Alligator hair clip or barette
- 7-by-12-inch dowels
- Foil
- Cookie sheet
- 14 clothespins
- Lighter
Instructions
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1
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
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2
Glue enough ribbon to cover the alligator clip or barette you are using.
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3
Wrap the ribbon around a dowel tightly. Trim off the excess and use clothespins at the ends to secure the ribbons. Repeat on six more dowels.
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4
Cover the cookie sheet with foil and place the ribbon-covered dowels on it. Bake for 20 minutes.
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5
Allow the ribbons to cool and gently slide them off the dowels.
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6
Cut the ribbons at an angle into thirds so that each piece is 4 inches long.
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7
Swipe each ribbon's end over a flame quickly to seal the ends and keep them from fraying.
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8
Stack the ribbons one on top of the other while holding them together at the middle. Tie the last ribbon in a knot around the center of the ribbon pile and work with the ribbons to make the bow fuller.
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9
Glue the bow, knot side down, to the alligator clip or barette.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To make a bow for a baby, use 3-mm-wide ribbon. For toddlers and older kids, use 5-mm ribbon.
Thinner dowels make tighter curls and thicker dowels make looser, wider curls. Mix and match dowel width and ribbon width for a variety of styles.
Try using different colored ribbons and alternate them when stacking them to create a more festive bow.
Allow the ribbons to cool completely before they come out of the oven to prevent burns.
It is important to use grosgrain ribbon since ribbons made of different materials may not respond to the heat of the oven in the same manner.
