I have a few friends who have wanted me to make detailed instructions on how to make these bows…

First you start off with these materials:

1. Fabric.
I like to use super small prints because you don’t have to worry about getting the picture on these small bows. The best way to do that is to find these little packages of quarter yards. You get about 3-4 bows out of a quarter yard.

2. Scissors.

3. Thread.

4. Cover Buttons.
I use size 7/8″ ones. I don’t like the “easy! no tools needed” cover buttons because they leave a little silver rim uncovered. Its not like its difficult to use the little tool. You can get a kit and then get refill packages.

5. Hot glue gun.

6. Fold over elastic. (if making the headband)
It took me forever to figure out what this stuff was (I had a bow/headband I bought and tried to replicate) and finally I found it! And its cheap too! http://www.sewzannesfabrics.com/ seems to have them the cheapest (and honestly the only place I found it) at $0.50 a yard.

7. Small alligator clip.

8. 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon.

9. Sticky back foam sheet
This is best when you make a clip instead of headband. It helps hold on to the hair and not let the bow fall off. You just place a strip the width of the ribbon on the inside of the clip after you wrap it (shown below).

Step 1: Gather supplies!

a.) This is my little template. its about a 2″ circle and the best size for the small bows. You can make larger bows by making the circle 3.5″ and taking the petal count down to 7 instead of 8.

b.) I like to fold my fabric over into 8ths so I can just cut once and get 8 petals.

Step 2. Cut your petals!

(should look like this)

There is a template on the back of the cover buttons package so you have to cut an extra piece for the button. Follow the directions (or just do it since its not rocket science) and make a little button.

Step 3: Make a button!

Step 4: Fold circle once in half!

Step 5: Fold it in half again!

Step 6: And again!

This is a little tricky to explain, hopefully its easier to figure out. You take the two edges and fold them down toward the middle edge… yea. Look at the picture.

Step 7: Think really hard!

And if you hold the back unfinished edges you get a petal…

Step 8: Woohoo! You did it!

My tip? Make sure you are fairly close to the edge so the thread never shows and you don’t get a lot of fabric bunching in the middle.

Step 9: Stick it with a needle!

Step 10: Look ma! I made 8 petals!

Take your thread and stick it back where you started, then pull it into a circle.

Step 11: Almost done!

Step 12: Knot it off!

While holding the tip of the petal, push in into the center and down to make it fan out.

Step 13: Spread ‘em!

Step 14: Is it hot? Heat up your gun!

Step 15: Glue your button! Don’t skimp on the glue!

Step 16: Center it and press!

This is the point where you either make a headband or a clip.

Cover your little alligator clip with your preferred color ribbon. And then hot glue the bow onto your clip.

Simple!

Or, like I did with this one, you can make it a headband.

Cut your desired length of elastic. I use about 14 1/2″ (glued) for her head now.

Glue that sucker together!

Glue it to the bow…

Then stick it on someone’s head!

THE END.