Hair bows / How to make a bow with long tail / long tail hair bows

How to Make a Bow with Long Tails

Creating a hair bow with long tails is a fun and simple DIY project that can be customized to suit your style. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to making a bow with long tails, using velvet ribbon or any other ribbon of your choice.

Supplies Needed

1. Ribbon: Choose a ribbon of your preference. Velvet ribbon works beautifully for this project. A width of 2.5 inches is ideal, but you can go wider if desired.

   • For the bow itself: Cut one piece of ribbon approximately 40–45 inches long.

   • For the center: Cut another smaller piece about 4.5 inches long.

2. Hair Clip: Select a clip type that suits your needs (e.g., alligator clips, combs, or barrettes).

3. Fray Check or Clear Nail Polish: This prevents the edges of the ribbon from fraying.

4. Needle and Thread (or hot glue): Used for assembling and securing the bow.

5. Scissors: For cutting the ribbon and trimming the ends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ribbon

• Cut one length of ribbon (40–45 inches) for the main bow and another shorter piece (4.5 inches) for the center.

• If your ribbon has wire edges, remove them by pulling gently on the wire until it slides out completely.

Step 2: Forming the Bow

1. Fold the longer piece of ribbon in half to find its center point and mark it by finger pressing or lightly creasing it.

2. Lay the ribbon flat on your work surface and overlap both ends toward the center to create two loops resembling a bow shape.

   • Adjust until each loop measures approximately 7 inches wide (or adjust based on your preference).

3. Pinch the center where all layers meet to form pleats, ensuring that it looks neat from the front.

Step 3: Create and Attach the Center

1. Take the smaller piece of ribbon (4.5 inches) and fold its long edges inward by about ½ inch to make it narrower.

   • Secure these folds by stitching or gluing them down along their short ends.

2. Wrap this prepared center piece around the pinched middle section of your bow, overlapping its ends at the back side of the bow.

   • Tuck one raw edge under before securing it in place with either stitches or hot glue.

Step 4: Secure Your Bow

• Use a needle and thread to stitch through all layers at the back of your bow’s center piece, ensuring everything stays firmly in place.

  • Alternatively, use hot glue for assembly but ensure you apply glue underneath all layers so nothing shifts over time.

Step 5: Attach Hair Clip

1. Position your chosen hair clip at the back of your completed bow where it feels balanced.

2. Stitch around or through parts of the clip using needle and thread to secure it tightly onto your bow’s base.

   • If using hot glue instead, cut out a small circle or rectangle from felt fabric and attach it over both your clip’s base and part of your bow for added stability.

Step 6: Trim Long Tails

• Trim both tail ends diagonally or into “V” shapes for an elegant finish.

• Apply Fray Check (or clear nail polish) along each cut edge to prevent fraying over time.