How to Make Hair Bows for Teenagers

Design your own hair bows.

Hair accessories transform a boring hair style into a fashion statement. Teenage girls love to express their own sense of fashion and flaunt unique accessories their peers don't have. Avoid scouring stores and boutiques for one-of-a-kind hair accessories, and consider designing your own hair bows. As the designer, you choose the style, shape and color combinations of the hair bows---there is no limit to what you can make.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon, any style or width
• Barrette clip with tension spring
• Hot glue gun
• Craft wire
• Scissors
• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

Make the Base of the Bow

1. Remove the tension spring from the barrette clip.

2. Measure the ribbon against the length of the barrette clip and make a loop around one side of the barrette. Do not make the loop shorter than the barrette, and do not cut the ribbon from its roll.

3. Make another loop of equal size on the other side of the barrette. Place your fingers on the underside of the ribbon pieces to hold them in place, and put your thumb in the middle of the loops.

4. Bring the long tail of the ribbon underneath the first loops to the other side. Pull the ribbon over the center and make another loop below the first loop.

5. Make the final loop by crossing the ribbon over to the other side. Bring the ribbon underneath the loops and cut the ribbon off. Leave a short tail.

6. Pinch the center of the hair bow. Place your fingers between the loops on one side, and place your thumb between the loops on the other side.

7. Twist and secure a piece of craft wire around the center of the hair bow. Cut off the remaining length of the wire.

8. Trim the ends of the ribbon by cutting them at an angle. Make a clean cut and remove any snags or hanging threads.

9. Put a small amount of hot glue on the center of the top side of the barrette. Secure the barrette to the backside of the hair bow.

Make the Center of the Bow

1. Cut about 5 to 6 inches of ribbon. Tie a loose knot in the center of the ribbon.

2. Place the knotted piece of ribbon on the front of the hair bow with the knot facing upward. Cover the wire around the center of the hair bow.

3. Fold the ends of the center piece to the back of the hair bow. Glue the ends to the underside of the clip.

4. Place the tension spring back into the barrette clip with the curve facing upward.

References

• Elegance in Bloom: Hair Bow Instructions