Hair Bows

First things first, I am linking up with 'A Glimpse Inside' - there is party going on over there!

Sunday was bad. Synopsis: I overslept. Resulting in us running late to church. After church we ran an errand when we should have been home eating lunch and getting the girls down for a nap. Lunch ended up being frozen pizza and peas which the kids only picked at. Nap time was a flop. Hannah cried/screamed the entire time so no one slept. And yet we still tried to take our overly tired, hungry crew of kids to the "Spooky Skate" (i.e. ice skating in costumes). Why? Because we are gluttons for punishment I guess. It only took approximately 2.5 costume changes per person before we were ready to go (Joe included). Emphasis on tried. Apparently the Spooky Skate was on Saturday! Ok bad might be a bit dramatic. But the day was kind of a bust and I was happy when it was over:)

{Plus Joe didn't buy me the 69¢ fountain Pepsi that I had requested because "it seemed like an extravagant purchase and we have been spending too much money lately". Or something to that effect!}

Which brings me to Monday. I was having a hard time getting myself going. As in it was 2 o'clock in the afternoon and I was still in my pajamas. Breakfast and lunch dishes were filling the sink to overflowing. And I was yet to start the laundry even though Monday is "laundry day". Basically I was a mess. So what's a girl to do? 

Make a hair bow of course! 

Not long ago I was over-the-moon excited that Charlotte needed to use her hair clips. And I still am excited. However lately I have been noticing her hair bows are so little on her big ole noggin:) They were not helping her look like the big three year old girl that she is. So I set out to fix that on Monday...using only supplies I already owned. 30 minutes later I sent this picture of my finished product to my friend:

Yes those are my pajama pants:) 

She loved it (which in turn made me feel much better about my lazy self)! And she requested I teach her how to make one as well. So here it is friend, my attempt to teach you my very basic bow. It is not the "right way" I am sure. But it works. And the second time it only took me 15 minutes. So it's quick and easy too!

Step 1. Gather your supplies

7/8" grosgrain ribbon.  1 piece = 13 1/2 inches, 1 piece = 4 1/4 inches 

1/4" ribbon. 1 piece = 2 inches

Scissors

Needle & thread (any color)

Twist tie (NOT PICTURED. Oops. I took mine off my bread bag.)

Hot glue gun (& glue stick!)

Hair piece (headband, scrunchie, clip, etc)

Step 2. Form a figure 8 with 13 1/2 inch grosgrain ribbon.  Pinch "closed". 

Step 3.  Sew figure 8 in center to hold it together. Thread color and appearance of stitching does NOT matter as this will be covered shortly.  

Step 4. Cut "V" shape from both ends of the 4 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon. 

Step 5. Place the figure 8 bow on top of the "V" ribbon.  Secure together with a twist tie. Cut off excess twist tie. 

Step 6. Wrap 2 inch ribbon over top twist tie and hot glue together (on the back). 

At this point you should have something that looks like this...

Which I realize is not as pretty as my original bow. Hang in there we are almost there. This next step is key to making a pretty bow. 

Step 7: Bend back the two loops on one end and separate them (i.e. spread them apart).

Place two dots of glue on the ribbon below the loops. Immediately press the loops down into the glue maintaining their separated state. 

Repeat on other end of the bow. 

And just like that your bow should be transformed from plain to pretty...like in this picture...

Step 8. Attach to hair piece. I hot glued mine to an alligator clip. Not pictured as it is pretty self explanatory. 

Lastly put your newly created bow on a cute little girl's head and admire your handywork! 

Photo credit: Candace Lynn Photography. If you are in the Chicagoland area you should check her out!