How to make the cutest short stirrup horse show hair bows in minutes

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

How to use Bowdabra to make the best horse show bows

It’s spring and Horse Show season is coming into full swing. The fashion these days are for the littlest competitors to arrange their hair into two braids and wear a horse show bows on each one. Horse show hair bows can be simple or quite fancy and usually have longer tails.
The disadvantage is that Horse show bows can be quite pricey. And, it’s so easy to make horse show bows using the Bowdabra! These bows are so beautiful and elegant you don’t have to be in a horse show to use them. They make wonderful gifts and are perfect for any day or event. Dancers love them too!

So let’s get started!

Horse show bows

Materials:

For each bow, you will need

Mini Bowdabra
Hair bow tool and ruler attachment
Bowdabra gold bow wire
Eleven inches of 2 ½” wide wired ribbon (For large bow)
14-½” 2 ½” wide wired ribbon (tail) in the same color as for the large bow
Ten inches 1 ¼” wide wired ribbon (For the second bow)
13” 1 ¼” wide wired ribbon (2^nd tail) in the same color as for the second bow
Ten inches 5/8” wide satin ribbon (3^rd tail)
Horse charm, or another charm if you are not making it for a horse show
Alligator clip
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks


Instructions:

1. First, gather your supplies and cut all the pieces of ribbon for each bow. For the ribbon designated as the tails, fold each end in half and cut towards the fold to make dovetails. (optional) Next, cut an 18” long piece of Bowdabra bow wire. Fold the wire in half and insert into the Mini Bowdabra. You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other, which will serve as your slipknot. Tuck the ends under the Bowdabra to keep out of the way while you work.

2. Now using the 2 ½” ribbon for the tail, fold to find the center. Then twist so that the right side is facing up and insert into the Mini Bowdabra.

3. Next, take the ribbon for the second tail; fold to find the center as you did on the first tail. Twist to arrange the ribbon so the right side is facing up and insert into the Mini Bowdabra. Make sure that both sides of the tails are even.

4. For the third tail, using the 5/8” ribbon repeat what you did for the other two tails. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

5. Now, make the bows. Take the 2 ½” wired ribbon and fold in half to find the center. Insert into the Mini Bowdabra wrong side facing up. Then, bring around to the other side and tuck the other end under and into the Bowdabra. Push down into the Bowdabra to make a bow.

6. Repeat step 5 with the 1 ¼” wide ribbon to make the second smaller bow. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

7. Finally, thread the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while holding the bow in the Bowdabra. Separate the ends and pull tight. Remove the bow from the Bowdabra turn to the back and tie a knot.

8. Fluff and arrange your bows and tails. To add a charm, take the bottom wire from tying the bow and thread it through the charm. Bring both wires to the back and tie a knot.

9. To finish, attach a covered alligator clip (You can purchase them already covered or do it yourself) on the back of the bow. For extra security, I like to use the excess wire to tie the clip on as well.

10. Repeat all the steps for a second horse show hair bow.

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How to make a locket horse show hair bow

Horse show season is in full swing and are you ready with horse show hair bows for your little exhibitors?  Horse show hair bows can be quite pricey but you can make an adorable and personalized locket horse show hair bow quickly and easily and spend very little in the process.

Don’t participate in horse shows?  You can alternately make this little locket of your horse or pet and wear it around your neck on a chain.  Simply make the locket as instructed, then add it to a ball chain with a jump ring. 

Materials:

·      15mm circle bezels

·      ModPodge dimensional magic or other clear dimensional product

·      Tiny horse photo printed on paper and cut to fit in the bezel

·      1 ½” wired ribbon

·      1” grosgrain ribbon

·      ¼” grosgrain ribbon

·      Bowdabra bow wire

·      Bowdabra Mini Bow maker

·      Bowdabra tool and ruler attachment

·      Alligator hair clip

·      Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

·      Ruler

·      Scissors

·      Lighter

Instructions:

1.     Make the locket.  Print a small photo of your horse on your printer on computer paper, or use a photo from a magazine.  Cut the photo to fit in the bezel. 

2.     Place the photo in the bezel and carefully add the dimensional clear glue on top.  Be careful not to shake the bottle, as it will cause bubbles to form.  Set aside and let dry completely.

3.     Cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 18 inches.  Fold in half and place in the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.

4.     Cut the 1” wide piece grosgrain 15 Inches long in a color of your choice.  Dovetail both ends and lightly run a lighter over it to keep it from fraying.  Fold the ribbon in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra.

5.     Cut a piece of ¼” grosgrain ribbon in your coordinating color 14 inches long.  Fold in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra

6.     Cut a piece of 1 ½” wide wired ribbon 18 ½” long.  Fold in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra.

7.     Bring the right end of the ribbon over and insert the tail end into the Bowdabra

8.     Bring the other end over and under the first loop forming an X and insert the end into the Bowdabra.

9.     Insert the ribbon center of both loops into the Bowdabra.

10. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

11. Insert the two loose wires through the loop making a slipknot and pull tight.  Remove from the Bowdabra, turn to the back, separate the ends and tie a knot.  Adjust the bow and tails.

12. Using the wires from the back bring to the front and insert it through the loop in the top of the bezel.  Bring the wires to the back and tie a knot.  Cut off any excess wires. 

13. Use the hot glue gun and hot glue sticks to attach an alligator clip to the back of the bow. 

14. Repeat all the steps for a second bow to make a perfect pair.

Optional:  Make the locket according to step 1 -2.  Using a needle nosed pliers open a jump ring by twisting open.  Attach the locket and twist the jump ring closed.  Add to a neck chain in your desired length.  You can find Bowdabra mini bow makers at your local craft stores or online.