How To Make A Two Loop Topper Hair Bow

One of my favorite things about my job is being able to create super cute bows with amazing ribbon and today, I am going to share yet another hair bow with you that actually can serve two purposes! What??? Yep, this adorable Two Loop Topper bow is the perfect bow to put atop a big beautiful stacked bow OR, it is just as stunning as a stand alone bow for those who desire a more petite look! No matter how you wear this fun bow, it looks amazing and is so incredible easy to make!

This cute bow is found on The Ribbon Retreat’s TOTT Hair Bow Instructions, on our fabulous YouTube Channel, AND…now, right here on our blog too, which makes this perfect little bow available to you in three different locations! How awesome is that?!? Regardless of how you learn best…a written tutorial, a video tutorial, or a printable PDF, this fun bow is available just for you!

These bows are fun and easy to make and one all the ladies in your house are sure to love! And, like I mentioned above it is one of our amazing TOTT Bows that can be found in PDF form HERE and on our YouTube Channel HERE! Would you like to see all of our adorable TOTT Bows and all of the video tutorials on our YouTube Channel? You can find them all HERE or our entire video tutorial selection/YouTube Channel HERE!

I love this Two Loop Topper Hair Bow and can’t wait for you to make one of our own…so, let’s get started!

Supplies needed for the Two Loop Topper 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

When deciding on the style and look of a stacked bow, consider the Two Loop Topper. It’s a great way to give your stacked bow 2 extra loops and helps to make your bow look more full.

This technique will be demonstrated on the 3” setting of the Hair Bow Maker using 7/8” Star Grosgrain Ribbon.
Using this setting on the Hair Bow Maker will yield an approximately 3 ½” hair bow.

Have a needle & thread ready (with a knot at the end of the thread).

Now that we have a couple of tips and our ribbon length figured out, let’s get started!

*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 Two Loop Topper Hair Bow

1. Start by placing one end of the ribbon in front of the two dowels as shown. Make sure you have about 2 inches of excess ribbon at the right of the RIGHT dowel. Also note how the remaining ribbon goes around the back of the dowels.

2. While your LEFT hand is holding the ribbon at the LEFT dowel, take your RIGHT hand and angle the tail of the ribbon upward almost VERTICAL. This will naturally cause the ribbon to create a wider loop towards the front.

3. You may find it helpful to use an alligator clip to hold the center together.

4. While holding the ribbon in place at the left dowel with your LEFT hand, take the ribbon that was at the back and bring it forward in front of the right dowel. Take note at how the WRONG side of the ribbon is facing you.

5. With your RIGHT hand thumb and first finger close to the dowel, twist the ribbon up. The WRONG side of the ribbon will be touching the dowel and the RIGHT side of the ribbon will be facing you.

6. Take the ribbon all the way around the right dowel and bring it to the front as shown.

7. If you used an alligator clip, remove it now. Take the needle behind the bow and bring it through the center. Make sure the center point has been reached and then pull the thread through until the knot stops at the back.

8. Remove the bow from the Bow Maker. Angle your tails a little more if you wish. Take the thread over the top center of the bow. Move your LEFT hand thumb a little closer to the top of the bow and pull tightly on the thread with your RIGHT hand.

9. Bring the thread from the back and take it around the center of the bow. Fold the center of the bow like an accordion or like a paper fan. Wrap the thread around the middle until there is no more “give”. Take up a stitch at the back of the bow. Cut your tails & finish the ends as desired.

Taaaaa Daaaaa! All done and aren’t they adorable? I can’t wait to put these cute little bows in my little girl’s hair on top of some sweet little piggy tails!

And, check out this fun bow! I changed the bow setting to 4″ and used a scrap of 1 1/2″ stripped ribbon to get this little beauty! This big Two Loop Topper is my favorite! I love this bow and my little girl has already worn it twice and received tons of fun compliments! So ya see…bows can be made in all shapes and sizes and in tons and TONS of different fabulous ribbon!

Bows, bows, bows…I just can’t get enough bows! In case you are in the same category…here are a few of the other incredibly cute TOTT Hair Bows we have added to the blog for you to quickly fall in love with and add to your collection of adorable hair bows!

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! We also carry fun resins, buttons, gems and more gorgeous embellishments to make your hair accessories one of a kind! Make sure to visit our one stop crafty shop HERE!

Happy Creating & Happy Hair Bows!