How To Make A Pinwheel Hair Bow

I am so excited to share this adorable bow with you today! This cute bow is the second bow found on The Ribbon Retreat’s TOTT Hair Bow Instructions, and you can also find it on our fabulous YouTube Channel. AND…now, you will be able to find it right here on our blog as well, which makes this stunning little bow available to you three different ways! How awesome is that?!?

These bows are fun and easy to make and one all the ladies in your house are sure to love! The Pinwheel Bow as well as all of our TOTT Bows can be found in PDF form HERE and most of the bows on our YouTube Channel HERE…so make sure you check all of our fabulous bows out at those two locations!

Let’s get started!

Supplies needed for the Pinwheel Hair Bow:
The Ribbon Retreat Hair Bow Maker
Ribbon
-I used 7/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon
Barrettes & Clips
Cutting Mat
Scissors
Hi-Temp Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Needle & Thread
Lighter (for sealing ribbon ends)

Before we get making this fun bow, let’s talk about some basic bow making rules or better yet…tips to help you achieve gorgeous and professional looking hair bows!

Hair Bow Making Tips
When making hair bows, it is best to use the right size of ribbon for the right size of hair bow. For example, using a 3/8” ribbon to make a 5” bow, may not work well.

The following is to give you a general idea of what size ribbon works best for what size bow.

Using The Hair Bow Maker

There are two lines on the Hair Bow Maker. The longer line is the center line. The second, shorter line is the ½” line. When you have the Hair Bow Maker in front of you, this line should be to the RIGHT of the center line. The first set of holes from the center of the bow maker will make a 2” bow. Move each dowel over one and you will have a 3” bow. Move each dowel over two and you will have a 4” bow, etc.

The bow maker will make bows over 6 inches in width. If you want to make a 2 ½”, 3 ½”, 4 ½”, or 5 ½” bow, then the dowel on the right needs to be moved ½” to the right. For example, if you want a 3 ½” bow, then place the left dowel in the 2nd hole and the right dowel in the 3rd hole. You would use the ½” line as the Center Point for this bow.

Ribbon Length Formula

This formula is a recommendation only. If you find that you don’t have enough, or too much ribbon, make adjustments to the numbers below.
(Width of Bow) x (# of Loops + 2.5) ***The extra 2.5 is for allowances.
Example: For a 4” four-loop bow, your formula would be: 4 x (4 + 2.5) = 26” of ribbon

Now that we have a couple of tips and our ribbon length figured out, let’s get started! This Pinwheel Hair Bow will be demonstrated on the 3” setting of the Hair Bow Maker using 7/8” Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Have a needle and thread ready (with a knot at the end of the thread).
*Please note that my right hand is never used/seen in the pictures below, because I am holding the camera with that hand so the wording in the instructions is sometimes a little different from what my left hand is doing in the pictures.

How To Make A Pinwheel Hair Bow

1. Start by placing the ribbon in front of the dowels with about 2 to 3 inches of excess ribbon at the LEFT.

2. Take the ribbon that is at the RIGHT and place it BEHIND the two dowels.

3. Now take the ribbon around the LEFT dowel and place it directly in FRONT of the two dowels. You will want it to be just above the bottom ribbon.

4. Again, take the ribbon that’s at the RIGHT and place it BEHIND the two dowels.

5. As in Step 3, take the ribbon directly in FRONT of the two dowels.

6. You may find it helpful at this point to use an alligator clip to hold the ribbon at the TOP RIGHT in place.

7. You may also find it helpful, just while you’re learning, to place an alligator clip at the BOTTOM LEFT to hold the ribbon in place.

8. Now take your needle through the center of the ribbon.

9. Take the thread over the top center of the ribbon.

10. Take the thread around the back of the hair bow and under the bottom of the ribbon – bring it forward.

11. With your LEFT hand thumb holding the TOP center of the ribbon, use your RIGHT hand to pull the thread tightly. You will be pulling the thread in a DOWNWARD motion.

12. As you pull the thread, it will start to create creases in the ribbon – like the accordion (or paper fan) fold. Remove the TOP RIGHT Alligator Clip.

13. Repeat Steps 11 and 12 using the BOTTOM center of the ribbon. Pull the thread UP with your right hand to create the creases. Remove the BOTTOM LEFT Alligator Clip.

14. Remove the bow from the Hair Bow Maker. Notice how the center has not yet been pulled completely tight.
With your LEFT hand holding the center very tightly, take your right hand and shape the bow by spreading out the loops.

15. Now take the thread around the center and pull it very tightly. Keep doing this until there is no more “give” to the thread. Turn the bow over, take up a few stitches, and tie a knot at the back. Cut your thread.

16. Trim the tails and seal the ends. You can either leave this as a simple pinwheel hair bow by adding a knotted or flat center and a clip to the back–or embellish and enhance as desired.
*Note: I chose a knotted center for my hair bow.

I love this simple little Pinwheel Hair Bow with it’s four loops and tails that stick out on both the top and the bottom! This cute bow looks adorable in this fun polka dot ribbon but believe me…it looks incredible in any color, design or print of ribbon you choose…like the adorable hot pink Chevron Pinwheel Bow below.
Make multiple bows using these easy to follow directions with all of your favorite ribbon colors or designs! They will all look incredible and the possibilities are endless!

Making hair bows of all shapes, techniques and sizes is so much fun! I love the different looks you can achieve with using different widths of ribbon, prints and designs of ribbon and how you choose to embellish it. I just can’t get enough of these fabulous hair accessories and so here are a few more incredibly cute hair bows, you are sure to love too!

The Ribbon Retreat has a wonderful selection of ribbon for all of your bow making needs! You can choose bold and bright or soft and subtle colors, polka dots, stripes, chevron, flowers, dinosaurs, mustaches, glittery and so SO much more! Make sure to visit our ribbon selection HERE today!

Happy Creating & Happy Hair Bows!