Bow Tie
Supply List:
1 1/2 inch wide ribbon
tape measure
craft/beading wire
wire cutter
Fray Check
hot glue gun
alligator clip (if making a hair clip)
small pin backing (if making a bow tie)
Cut a 10 inch long piece of 1 1/2 inch wide ribbon. Apply Fray Check to each end of the ribbon.
Flip the ribbon over and fold in half just shy of the half-way point in length. Apply a small amount of hot glue to hold fold in place.
Apply a small amount of glue to the unfolded edge of ribbon. My ribbon is still wet from the fray check on its ends in my pictures- the fray check dries clear.
After applying glue take unfolded end of ribbon and align it on top of the folded area. There is no exact science on the folding.
Front view of folded ribbon.
Using your wire cutters- cut a 2.5 inch long piece of craft wire. I think mine in the picture is either 22 or 24 gauge. Do not use your scissors to cut the wire or you will ruin your scissors.
Pinch/fold the center of your ribbon. I found it easier to pinch/fold the bottom of the ribbon first and then to pinch/fold the top half in the same manner.
You want the pinch/folds to match or else your bow will look uneven and lumpy.
Wrap craft wire over the center of your pinched/folded area of the bow. You need to apply the wire so the ends of the wire wrap to the back of the bow.
Twist the ends of the wire together to cinch your pinched/folded area into place. Cut off any extra wire with your wire cutters. Press wire down to flatten.
Back view of trimmed and flattened wire.
Front view- you can slide the wire to adjust it to be more centered. Mine is slightly off center in this picture.
Cut a 3 inch long piece of ribbon. Apply Fray check to each end.
Flip the ribbon over. Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom edge of the ribbon and fold up. Press into place.
Apply a line of glue to the edge of the folded up area. Fold top portion of ribbon to lay on top of the glue. Press into place.
Back view of folded ribbon.
Apply a small amount of glue to the top center of your bow.
Place back side of small folded ribbon over the glue on the center of your bow. Press into place.
Turn your bow over. Apply a small amount of glue to the top edge of the small folded ribbon.
Fold the top down onto the center of the back of your bow.
Apply a small amount of glue to the top of the small ribbon that you just folded down. Fold up bottom portion of the small ribbon and press into place. Prior to adding glue- trim any frayed edges of the ribbon.
Back view of bow with both ends of small ribbon folded up into place.
Apply a small amount of glue length wise on the back of your bow. If you are making a bow tie for your little man add a small pin backing. If you are making a hair clip for your little lady add an alligator clip. Depending on the type of alligator clip you are using- you may need to place a piece of paper inside of it to avoid gluing the clip shut.
For this hair clip I used an inexpensive alligator clip from Walmart. I paid $2 for a bag of 10 clips. You can find better deals on alligator clips on Ebay. I am waiting for a shipment of 50 clips that I paid around $3 for. It is also more cost effective to buy either rolls of ribbons when they go on sale- our local Hobby Lobby frequently has them on sale for 50% off or buy pieces of ribbon by the yard. One yard should yield 3 bows depending on how large you make them.
The finished bow tie.
My uncooperative model. For teens and adults I have seen ladies with their hair up in buns and a bow tie clipped off to one side of the bun. Looks cute!
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