Hello all! I get so excited when it is my turn to share a project with you and today…I think I might just be jumping with joy and excitement to share these absolutely adorable bows with you! I am in love with these little Bow Tie Bows and can’t wait to put them on my sweet little girl…until she pulls them out of course! Hehe! I hope you love them as much as I do, because they are so much fun to make and super easy too! Oh, and the best part is that I used 100% scrap pieces of ribbon to create all of the bows you see above! I mean seriously ladies and gents, these bows are so fun and they are perfect for any season, holiday, special event or every day wear!
Are you ready to learn how? Perfect, let’s do it!
In this one tutorial, you are going to learn how to make 3 different looking bows all using the exact same Bow Tie Bow that we all love…the only difference is how we will make the tails for the bows, that is if you want tails at all!
All you need is:
Ribbon
-I used 1 1/2″ and 7/8″ ribbon in all of the bows
Needle and Thread
Lined Clips
Scissors
Hot Glue and Gun
Lighter (to heat seal your ends)
Again, on all of these bows you are going to use the same technique to create your Bow Tie Bow. I will show that below and then how to add the different tails. Ready?
To create your Bow Tie Bow, cut and heat seal both ends of your ribbon. I love the layered look and so used two ribbons on multiple bows. If you choose to layer, place your smaller ribbon on top of the larger one when cutting ribbon. The length of ribbon you use will be determined by how big you want your bow to be.
Fold your first end in so wrong sides of ribbon are touching.
Fold second end in on top of the first end. Move ends around to get your desired size of bow.
Stick needle and thread through the center of the ribbon.
Fold the center of your bow like an accordion to get the bow tie look.
Wrap thread around center of bow. Pull tight and adjust bow as you tighten. When thread has no more give, make a few stitches in the back of your bow and cut thread. All done!
On this bow, I added tails that face down. To make these tails, cut a strip of your ribbon and put your needle through the center of your ribbon(s).
Wrap thread around the center and pull tight. As you tighten, start pulling the tails in a downward motion to get your desired tail look.
Place the tails behind the bow and wrap your thread around the bow and tails. Again, as you tighten your thread adjust the tails to your desired look.
Wrap ribbon around the center of your bow, add a lined clip to the back, and you have one adorable version of a Bow Tie Bow with Tails. Don’t forget to cut your ribbon ends and heat seal them too!
With all of the different ribbon here at The Ribbon Retreat, you can make a million different versions of this exact bow! Coordinate your favorite ribbon designs or colors for one of a kind bows. Here are a few more I made with my scrap ribbon! I love them and that dazzle ribbon!
The next bow is the exact same, however, it’s tails stick straight out to the side.
Make your Bow Tie Bow like above and cut a strip of ribbon for your tails. Place strip of ribbon behind bow.
Stick needle and thread through the strip of ribbon and right up next to the center of your bow.
Wrap the thread around your bow and soon to be tails and tighten. Once your thread is tight, make a couple of stitches in the back and trim your ribbon. Add a center to your bow, lined clip to the back, trim your tails and heat seal your ribbon!
Yay! All done with another super cute bow!
Aren’t these ribbon combinations so cute and so fun!
Even though I LOVE my Bow Tie Bows with tails…here are a few bows without tails that I love, love, love too!
Check out this sequin bow PERFECT to add to a blue glitter headband for all of your 4th of July celebrations! I can’t wait for those parades, fireworks, and sea of red, white and blue!
All of these bows are so cute and so fun! What ribbon combo is your favorite?
If you are ready to make some or all of these adorable bows, make sure you visit The Ribbon Retreat to see all of the amazing ribbon you can use to create your own one of a kind bows! We also carry all of the clips (we even carry lined clips now…I know, best news ever!), scissors, needles, thread, hot glue and hot glue guns, and even heat sealing tools that are awesome! Find all of those supplies and so much more right HERE!
Have so much fun creating your own Bow Tie Bows!
Happy Creating & Happy Cute Hair Bows!
18 Comments
What size ribbons are being used for these?
Hi Tara! Thank you for your question! All of the ribbon that is the base layer of a ribbon or all alone in a bow are 1 1/2″. The top layer ribbon is 7/8″. I hope you get a chance to make these fun bows. They are easy and look so cute on a headband or in a little cutie’s hair! Have a great day! Michelle 🙂
Can you tell me what length you used for your particular bow ties with the back on the sides? I know it will depend on how big but I would particular like to use the size you have shown above.
Hi Amber! Thank you so much for your question! My ribbon length varied on each bow because I used scraps and then I just trimmed the tails to my liking. However, if you aren’t using scraps and are using your ribbon from a spool, you can always use the following formula to determine how much ribbon to use. The first thing you need to determine, is how big you want your bow. So you are going to take the size of bow you want in inches (for example, 3.5″ bow) and times that number by 2. So, 3.5×2=7 and then you will add 1. 3.5×2=7, 7+1=8…therefore, you will cut your ribbon at 8 inches. I hope this helps. Thank you so much and good luck making these fun bows! Michelle 🙂
I love these bows, Michelle! Who knew that so many fun looks could be created from one simple style?! By changing up ribbon colors and textures, adding layers, and choosing among the three tail and no-tail options, the combinations are endless!
Would you mind telling me which ribbon width you used for the centers? It looks as if you might have folded a 7/8-inch strip in half… Thanks!
xoxo
Hi Pat! Thank you! Aren’t they so fun? I was a little worried about some of the ribbon combinations but then I loved them all in the end. In regards to the centers…I used some 3/8″ and some 7/8″ that I did fold. I wanted a little thicker look so that is why I used a wider ribbon and folded it. I hope that makes sense. Thank you Pat! Have a great day! Michelle 🙂
Thank you for the helpful info, Michelle! It’s a subtle difference, but the thicker, folded ribbon does add a nice, change-of-pace touch.
And I *love* your color combinations! Slowly but surely, TRR tutorials are teaching me to think beyond standard color pairings and learning to appreciate combinations like lime and purple/white chevron! xoxo
You are so welcome Pat! I totally agree! I love the thicker center as well and mixing and matching different colors to get lots and lots of different bows! I am so glad you are loving them too! Thanks Pat! Michelle 🙂
I’m loving this! I’m always so impressed by your masterpieces. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to party with us. I hope to see you on tonight at 7. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Hi Girls! Thank you so very much! You ladies are amazing! Thank you for the pin and tweet! Have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
What length did you cut the ribbon to?
Hi Jackie! Thank you for your question. My ribbon length varied on each bow because I used scraps and then I just trimmed the tails to my liking. However, if you aren’t using scraps and are using your ribbon from a spool, you can always use the following formula to determine how much ribbon to use. The first thing you need to determine, is how big you want your bow. So you are going to take the size of bow you want in inches (for example, 4″ bow) and times that number by 2. So, 4×2=8 and then you will add 1. 4×2=8, 8+1=9…therefore, you will cut your ribbon at 9 inches. I hope this helps. Thank you so much and good luck making these fun bows! Michelle 🙂
When you say heat seal, is that a product similar to fray check?
Hi Kathy! Thank you for your question! When we are making bows or any ribbon crafts, when we say heat seal we are talking about taking a lighter and carefully brushing the ends of the ribbon with the flame to ever so slightly melt/seal the ends of the ribbon so they will not fray. This technique takes practice so you do not burn the ends of the ribbon. This technique also accomplishes the same thing as fray check in just a different way. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
This is AWESOME! and so help full ! thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Carolina! Thank you so much! I am so glad you like these fun bows! I hope you get to make some of your own soon! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by! Michelle 🙂
Me gusto mucho la explicacion de los lazos. muy bonitos y sigas poniendo tutoriales
he aprendido bastante con ustedes. Dios les bendiga las manos.
Hi Ana! Thank you so much. I am so glad you like this fun tutorial. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by! Michelle 🙂