How To Make a Back-to-School Spirit Hair Bow

The back-to-school countdown has begun. Only a few more summer vacation days. But, this back-to-school spirit hair bow is perfect for that first day of school.

Supplies for Making a Back-to-School Spirit Hair Bow

• Mini Bowdabra
• Mini Bowdabra Hair Bow Ruler
• 40″ length of 1½” wide grosgrain ribbon in school color/s (I used this ribbon from May Arts.)
• 18″ length of Bowdabra bow wire
• Heat transfer vinyl decals (optional)
• Charm or button
• Hair clip (style of your choice)
• Strong adhesive

Instructions for Making a Back-to-School Spirit Hair Bow

1. Cut the ribbon into one 15″ length and one 25″ length.
2. Cut dovetail ends on the 15″ length. Fold the ribbon in half, and cut at a diagonal.
3. Pass ribbon ends through a flame to seal them.
4. Add the optional heat transfer vinyl decals to the ribbon tail ends.

Make the Bowdabra Bow

1. Place the Hair Bow Ruler on the Mini Bowdabra.
2. Fold bow wire in half and place in Mini Bowdabra.
3. Place the ribbon tail in the Mini Bowdabra.
4. Place the loop ribbon in the Mini Bowdabra.
5. Make a 3″ loop.
6. Since I’m using a double-sided ribbon I need to give the ribbon a twist so the green side stays on top. (If you’re using a ribbon with no right/wrong sides skip the twisting steps.)
7. Next, form the second 3″ loop.
8. Give the ribbon a twist, and form the first 2″ loop.
9. Now, form the second 2″ loop.
10. Compress the ribbons with the Mini Bowdabra wand.
11. With the bow still in the Mini Bowdabra, pass the wire ends through the loop, and tighten.
12. Bring the wire ends to the back of the bow, and tie securely. Trim the wire ends.
13. Using a strong adhesive attach the charm to the front of the bow and the hair clip to the back of the bow. (I used Beacon’s 527 Multi-use Glue. E6000 would be another option.) Depending on the style of hair clip you selected, you may need to protect parts of the clip from any unwanted adhesive. I used painter’s tape to wrap a portion of my clip.
14. After the adhesive is completely dry, fluff the bow and open the loops. It’s ready to wear!!

Those summer days are speeding by all too quickly, but with this back-to-school spirit bow, your princess will be ready for all the fun school promises.

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