If you have priced horse show hair bows recently you will know that they can be very costly. Did you know, however, that will just a small amount of ribbon you can create your own short stirrup hair bows in minutes for much less? Embellish the hair bows with a small charm or alternately a ribbon knot added to the center of the bow.
Materials:
Bowdabra bow maker
Bowdabra hair bow tool and ruler
Ribbon of choice 1 ½”, 7/8” wide
Charm or bead
Alligator clip, French clip, or hair tie
Bowdabra bow wire
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
Lighter to seal the ends of the ribbon
Horse show hair bows in minutes
Instructions:
First, cut an 18” piece of bow wire, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra. You will have a loop on one side and two wires on the other.
Next, cut a 15” piece of 7/8” wide ribbon. Fold the ends in half and cut at an angle to dovetail the ends. Use a lighter to lightly go over the ends to seal from fraying. (You may use clear nail polish if desired) Fold in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra guiding the tails downward.
Repeat the above step with another complementary color of ribbon for a second tail. Dovetail the ends on this ribbon and insert it into the Bowdabra.
Make the main bow
Now, cut an 18 ½” piece of 1 ½” ribbon. (I prefer a wired ribbon for this bow since it can be arranged easier.) Seal the ends with the lighter. Fold in half to find the center and insert the right side down into the Bowdabra. Bring the right end over and insert the tail end into the Bowdabra.
Next, bring the other tail end over and under the first loop forming an X, and insert the end in the Bowdabra.
Push the bottom center into the Bowdabra, then push the top down into the Bowdabra as well. You have made the Boutique style bow.
Scrunch everything down with the Bowdabra wand.
To finish, insert the two loose wires through the loop, and while the bow is still in Bowdabra pull tight. Remove from the Bowdabra, turn it to the back, and tie a knot. Adjust the bow and tails.
Using the wires from the back, bring the bottom wire back around to the front and insert a bead or charm through. Bring the wires back to the back of the bow and tie a knot making sure the charm is centered on the front of the bow. You can alternately glue a ribbon knot to the center.
Using a hot glue gun attach an alligator clip or a French clip to the back. If you would like to use a ponytail elastic, use the bow wire to tie it on. Cut off any excess wires.
Repeat all the steps for a second hair bow and you will be all set for the show circuit!
