How To Make A Twisted Boutique Hair Bow

It’s back to school time…can you believe it? Are you having the blues, the cheers or a little of both? My kiddos haven’t started just yet, and I am totally experiencing the back to school blues! I love my kiddos to be home with me and this summer has been a blast! However, they get pretty excited for the school shopping, backpack packin’, social life connections, and a set daily schedule once again! Although it makes me sad to see them go back, I get excited to see their joy and excitement in heading back! So, with that being said…today, I am super excited to share this adorable bow that is the PERFECT back to school hair bow! Why? It is full and fabulous for one, but because it also looks incredible made up in any ribbon to match perfectly those super cool new back to school outfits picked out perfectly for those first days back to that school bell!

This cute bow is another hair bow found in The Ribbon Retreat’s TOTT Hair Bow Instructions, on our fabulous YouTube Channel, AND…now, right here on our blog too, which makes this full and fluffy bow available to you in three different locations! How awesome is that?!? Regardless of how you learn best…a written tutorial, a video tutorial, or a printable PDF, this fun bow is available just for you!

These bows are fun, but I will be honest…they are a little challenging to make. But, don’t let that stop you because once you get the technique of twisting your ribbon to make equally full and fluffy loops, this great bow will quickly become one of your favorites to make and to see your little ones wear!

Like I mentioned above it is one of our amazing TOTT Bows that can be found in PDF form HERE and on our YouTube Channel HERE! To see all of our adorable TOTT Bows and all of the video tutorials on our YouTube Channel? You can find them all HERE or our entire video tutorial selection/YouTube Channel HERE!

I love this Twisted Boutique Hair Bow and can’t wait for you to make one of our own…so, let’s get started!

Supplies needed for the Twisted Boutique Hair Bow:

The Ribbon Retreat Hair Bow Maker
Ribbon
-I used 1 1/2″ Grosgrain Ribbon
Barrettes & Clips
Cutting Mat
Scissors
Hi-Temp Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Needle & Thread
Lighter (for sealing ribbon ends)

Before we get making this fun bow, let’s talk about some basic bow making rules or better yet…tips to help you achieve gorgeous and professional looking hair bows!

Hair Bow Making Tips
When making hair bows, it is best to use the right size of ribbon for the right size of hair bow. For example, using a 3/8” ribbon to make a 5” bow, may not work well.

The following is to give you a general idea of what size ribbon works best for what size bow.

Using The Hair Bow Maker

There are two lines on the Hair Bow Maker. The longer line is the center line. The second, shorter line is the ½” line. When you have the Hair Bow Maker in front of you, this line should be to the RIGHT of the center line. The first set of holes from the center of the bow maker will make a 2” bow. Move each dowel over one and you will have a 3” bow. Move each dowel over two and you will have a 4” bow, etc.

The bow maker will make bows over 6 inches in width. If you want to make a 2 ½”, 3 ½”, 4 ½”, or 5 ½” bow, then the dowel on the right needs to be moved ½” to the right. For example, if you want a 3 ½” bow, then place the left dowel in the 2nd hole and the right dowel in the 3rd hole. You would use the ½” line as the Center Point for this bow.

Ribbon Length Formula

This formula is for the Twisted Boutique Hair Bow (Bow Maker Method). If you find that you don’t have enough, or too much ribbon, make adjustments to the numbers below.

(Width of Bow) x (# of Loops + 4.5) ***The extra 4.5 is for allowances.
Example: For a 4” four-loop bow, your formula would be: 4 x (4 + 4.5) = 34” Ribbon

Hair Bow Maker Method

It is recommended that 2 to 3 other techniques are mastered before moving on to the Twisted Boutique Hair Bow. It is much more difficult and generally takes more practice. While learning this technique, use a ribbon that has a “right” and a “wrong” side (Ex: Polka Dot Ribbon, as shown in the YouTube video tutorial).

This technique will be demonstrated on the 4” setting of the Hair Bow Maker using 1 ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. This setting will result in an approximately 4 ½” to 5” hair bow.

Have a needle & thread ready (with a knot at the end of the thread).

Now that we have a couple of tips and our ribbon length figured out, let’s get started!

*Please note that my right hand is never used/seen in the pictures below, because I am holding the camera with that hand so the wording in the instructions is sometimes a little different from what my left hand is doing in the pictures.

How To Make A Twisted Boutique Hair Bow

1. Cut ribbon to size. Then, with the ribbon BEHIND the Hair Bow Maker, take 6” of one of the ends and wrap it in FRONT of both dowels, leaving approximately 2” of excess ribbon at the right of the RIGHT dowel. See Picture. Note how your LEFT hand is holding the ribbon at the back as well.

2. While your LEFT hand is holding the ribbon at the LEFT dowel, take your RIGHT hand and angle the tail of the ribbon upward almost VERTICAL. This will naturally cause the ribbon to create a wider loop towards the front.

3. It is EXTREMELY helpful at this point to use an alligator clip to hold the center together.

4. With your RIGHT hand, take the ribbon at the back and bring it around the front of the RIGHT dowel.

5. Once again, angle the ribbon UPWARDS, almost VERTICAL and if needed, slide the ribbon down slightly to create a wider loop.

6. Now use the alligator clip to hold both of these loops together. With your LEFT hand, grab the remaining ribbon and get ready for Step # 7.

7. Using your LEFT hand, twist the ribbon down and towards you just as shown. Notice how the wrong side of the ribbon is touching the dowel.

8. Now take your LEFT hand and slide it all the way down the ribbon until you get to the end.

9. Take note that the WRONG side of the ribbon is facing towards you (or UP).

10. You may want to use a pen or pencil and write a “T” for the TOP and a “B” for the BOTTOM to help you with this step.

11. Now with your LEFT hand hanging on to the end of the ribbon, simply angle (turn) the ribbon around so that the B is now at the Top and the T is now at the Bottom. You’re not really twisting the ribbon, just angling it differently. Your left hand will move in a counter-clockwise direction – but remember it doesn’t TWIST!

12. Continuing with your LEFT hand you will thread the end through the ribbon as shown.

13. Grab the end of the ribbon with your RIGHT hand and continue to thread it all the way through, finishing the loop on this side.

14. Take note of what the bow should look like so far.

15. Now with your RIGHT hand, take the ribbon and place it in FRONT of the right dowel. Please note that the WRONG side of the ribbon is towards you at this point.

16. With your RIGHT hand thumb and first finger, twist the part of the ribbon that is closest to the right dowel UPWARDS. It looks a little funny, but that’s okay…..it’s supposed to at this point.

17. After you’ve twisted the ribbon, continue taking the ribbon around the dowel.

18. Bring the ribbon to the front of the bow and angle the tail downward as shown. The top right loop still looks a little funny…..that’s okay.

19. With your RIGHT hand, take your first finger into the loop and shape it as shown. You’re basically just opening up that loop a little more.

20. Now remove the alligator clip and place the needle through the back of the bow, making sure you have the center point.

21. Remove the bow from the Hair Bow Maker. You can angle your tails a little more if you would like at this point. Pull the needle and thread all the way through until the knot stops at the back.

22. Take the thread over the top center of the bow as shown. Make sure you are keeping a very TIGHT hold on the bow so that it doesn’t lose its shape.

23. Move your LEFT hand thumb a little closer to the top of the bow and pull tightly on the thread with your RIGHT hand. This will create a very tiny little crease in the top of the bow. Please keep in mind that the way the center is pulled together will greatly determine the outcome of this bow.

24. Now bring the thread from the back and take it around the entire center of the bow.

25. With this step, think about an accordion, or perhaps a paper fan – like the kind you used to make when you were younger by folding paper. That’s basically how you need to fold the center of your bow. With the THUMBS of both hands on top of the bow and your FINGERS of both hands behind the bow, make your creases in the center of the bow.
It really is just like folding a paper fan. Refer to picture. Tighten the thread a little after each fold or crease.

26. Wrap the thread around the middle until there is no more “give”. Take up a stitch at the back of the bow. Cut your tails & finish the ends as desired. Shape your bow.

AND…enjoy! Isn’t this bow so awesome? Tough? Maybe a little…but as the great bow makers say, “practice makes perfect!” LOL! I would love to see a whole sea of these lovely bows at schools everywhere on the first day of school and all days after that. Wouldn’t that be awesome?!? Bow making mamas unite!

Look how stinkin’ cute this fun bow looks in lots of different ribbon….oh my, I just can’t get enough of this bow!

Don’t you just love that Halloween ribbon?

Making hair bows really is a great deal of fun! I am not sure if I like making the bows more or seeing the smiles of all of those who comment on how cute they are atop my little sweetie’s cute little head. Check out these other fabulous hair bows that you will love making and your little girlee’s will love wearing!

The Ribbon Retreat has a wonderful selection of ribbon for all of your bow making needs! You can choose bold and bright or soft and subtle colors, polka dots, stripes, chevron, flowers, dinosaurs, mustaches, glittery and so SO much more! We also carry fun resins, buttons, gems and more gorgeous embellishments to make your hair accessories one of a kind! Make sure to visit our one stop crafty shop HERE to get all of your bow making supplies today!

Happy Creating & Happy Hair Bows!