How to Make Ribbon Barrettes

You can make ribbon barrettes to dress up ordinary hair accessories and make them something special. Young girls are especially fond of pretty hair ribbons, and by attaching them to a barrette you can make them easy and hassle-free to wear. They are simple enough for the children to make themselves with minimal adult supervision. Fabric ribbon, such as grosgrain, works best, but you can experiment with different types to find the look you prefer most.

Things You'll Need

• Metal bar barrettes
• Fabric ribbon
• Hot glue
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a length of ribbon twice as long as the barrette plus 1 inch. For a fuller ribbon, cut a longer piece.

2. Fold the ends of the ribbon in until they overlap by 1/2 inch in the center. Glue in place with hot glue to make the bow.

3. Cut a 2-inch piece of ribbon in the same color or a complementary color. Wrap it around the center of the bow and glue the overlapping edges together.

4. Place a strip of hot glue along the length of the barrette. Firmly press the bow onto the barrette, seam-side down, until it dries. This will take 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue beads or other embellishments to the ribbon.

• Do not allow children to use hot glue guns. Craft glue can be used instead.

References

• Martha Stewart's method for ribbon barrettes.