How To Make Hair Bows, Video & Step by Step!
I’ve always loved hairbows, really big ones! I was one of those little girls who identified with Laura Ingalls, but still thought Nellie Olsen was the luckiest girl in Walnut Grove to always have those big old bows perched atop her head! Now that I have a little girl, one of the things I have the most fun with is dressing her up in an assortment of bows. Fortunately, she enjoys them as well or I wouldn’t get to do this.
The other night I stayed up until midnight doing just that, and then posted the fruits of my labor on my Facebook page. My FB friends were so sweet! I received a lot of requests for a tutorial on how to make hair bows so I decided to post a video as well as a step by step photo tutorial. The video is the easiest way to learn, I think, with the photos acting as a good reference for later.
There are countless ways to make hair bows and you can find plenty of other instructions on the net. This is the way that I figured out how to make them a few years ago and I find that it works better for me than any of the other methods I’ve tried.
My husband and I did this video in about fifteen minutes and I spent a grand total of about five editing it so this is just a homegrown production but I think it shows ya what you need to know and I hope you find it helpful! Between the video and step by step photos I’m hoping I make sense but feel free to give me a holler in the comments section if you have any questions. I’d also love to hear from you if you find the tutorial helpful or just wanna say “hi”! 
How To Make Hair Bows with SouthernPlate.com from Christy SouthernPlate.com on Vimeo.
If you have any problems viewing this video, please see the help section at Vimeo.
And now for the step by step photos!
You’ll need: Ribbon, glue gun with extra sticks, barrettes, and thread and needle (already threaded with a knot tied at the end)
You’re also going to need scissors.
I usually start with a thicker ribbon but you can use this method for smaller bows as well, just use smaller ribbon.
Make your first loop.
This first one determines the size of your bow so if you want a larger one,
make a larger hoop and likewise if you prefer a smaller bow.
Now bring your ribbon around and make your second loop, holding the center secure with your fingers.
(This makes a lot more sense on the video, I think)
Now make your third loop…
And finally make your fourth, bringing your tail down to the side of the first one like this.
(honestly, you just gotta see the video to follow me here, I’m afraid..)
There, now we have four loops and we’re ready to secure it in the middle.
Run a few stitches right through the center.
Don’t worry about how your thread or your knot looks because no one will ever see this once we’re done.
This is my nice way of saying that if you ever looked at the centers of my bows, you’d see that I make these with all the grace of a bull in a china shop.
Secure the thread with a knot but don’t cut it yet. Now you’re ready for the next step.
At this point if you want to add contrasting colors or ribbon you set this one aside, cut your thread, and repeat the first few steps with each new ribbon, making them slightly smaller than this one we just did.
Once you get all of your other bows done, sew them to this and don’t cut your thread before going on to the next step.
Pinch your bow together…
and wrap the thread (which is still securely attached to the ribbon) tightly around the bow.
Until it looks like this. I wrap mine four or five times.
Run your needle through the back and tie a knot. Cut the thread.
You know, there is no law that says you can only have four loops, if you want more, knock yourself out 
Tug at your bow a bit until you have it arranged like you like, spreading out the loops a bit.
There, I like that.
Tie a knot in a small section of ribbon (a contrasting color is fun to use here).
Place a dot of glue in the center of the front of your bow.
Press center of knot down on top of glue.
Flip bow upside down.
Place a dab of glue in the center of the back.
Place open barrette on top of glue.
It’s important that it be open because if you glue that puppy shut its really annoying to try to open it again and get all of the glue mess off.
Take the top end piece from your knotted segment and pull it through the barrette like this.
Press down to seal the glue and then cut off excess.
Place a line of glue just above the barrette.
Pull the bottom portion of the knotted segment through as well, pressing down to seal the glue.
Trim excess.
Now you have a bow!
Trim tails of ribbon. I like to cut mine at an angle pointing towards the inside.
Some people cut “V”’s for their tails but those are harder to get even so I stick with the angle cut.
Because I like it when life is easy.
like this.
Take a bit of fray check and run it along all raw edges.
Don’t forget that little bit of exposed edge on the back.
Voila! Our bow is done!
That fray check is damp now but will be dry in about an hour.
This is about an evenings worth of work and well worth it. Making your own bows saves a lot of money over purchasing them and allows you to dress up simple outfits or really highlight fancier ones (We do more of the “dressing up simple outfits” at my house, though!)
I had a lot of fun making these and my Katy Rose loves showing them off!
Enjoy your bows!
The difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary life is finding extraordinary things in an ordinary life.
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Great Video Kristy…..
Your not Cheap… your frugal… The nice thing about being frugal, is that your not really giving up anything. Your not wasteful, and your children are reaping the benefits, and learning how far a Dollar can go. Teaches them to save money also.
Good going, I’m very proud of you and your honesty with can only egual “Success”
Blessings to you and yours
Linda in Louisiana
Hey Linda,
Thank you so much for this comment. You made me feel like a better Mama!!!!
I truly appreciate your wisdom and promise to take it to heart!
Gratefully,
Christy
hi am from kuwait i saw your hair bow video its great thanks i will do it for my three doughters
Just wanted to say how cute your bows are! No little girls here though to make any for.
A trick on getting identical two pointed cuts is to put both ends together, fold in half lengthwise and cut a diagonal section off. I’ve made a lot of bows over the years and that’s how I did it. Hope it makes sense because it is simple.
It makes perfect sense, Cindy! thank you!!
On an off note…”Cindy” is kinda like my second name. I must look like a Cindy because I’ve been called that a lot throughout my life!
I have a cousin named “Cindy” who must look like a “Christy”…
Amazing! My name is Christie and I have been called Cindy my whole life, everywhere I go and by all kinds of folks. Could it be that their brains just get that capital “C” and “i” mixed up before the word comes out?
BTW, love the tutorial. No girls of my own, but just received the blessing of a healthy baby niece who will need lots of bows!
Christy,
I love your tutorial! I just have to laugh when I see you using kids scissors. When my son and daughter were 2 and 3 (yes 1 year apart). He decided to give my little girl a haircut since she did not get to go to the hairdresser that day. Well we found out just how sharp children scissors can be. We had to cut almost all her long beautiful hair off since he cut it to the scalp. We still laugh about that to this day and they are now 19 and 20.
Keep the videos coming!
Love it.
Betsy
Oh my! That sounds like when I was little and my brother decided to give me a haircut. He cut off an entire side of my hair (I mean, an ENTIRE side), threw it in the trash and said “Don’t tell Mama”. like Mama wasn’t going to notice! lol
Those are the best scissors! They are Gingher blunt tip and actually have my initials engraved on them! lol I bought those shortly after 9/11 when they became all the rage among quilters and hand sewing enthusiasts because you could take them on the airplane with you. I keep them on that little lanyard that says “I Love Quilting”, which I really really do…I just wish I had time for it nowadays! lol
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment, Betsy!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
Those are really cute! Unfortunately, no girls here.
But my brother really likes to dress up his little girl. Maybe I could make some of these for her for Christmas!
oh how precious! Nieces are every bit as fun as daughters – but a lot less expensive!!!
Christy, fantatic video! After watching your video I think I could even make bows, and sadly, I have have two left thumbs when it comes to crafting! I’d love to learn to sew aprons to give away as gifts. Think you could conjour up a tutorial on that?! Just hoping!
Maralee,
I’m gonna just have to toot your own horn for you a little more often because you don’t toot it enough! I can’t imagine you not being a whiz at anything you tried!
Silly girl!
I’ve actually been meaning to put an apron tutorial up for a while. I did one a year or so ago but decided not to post it. Maybe I’ll get time to do one here soon!
Gratefully,
Christy ::)
Thanks Christy!
I’m Immediately going to make these bows out of Lasagna and Fettuccine pasta.. then eat them. I’d wear them in my hair but I once had pajamas made out of leaf lettuce and while I was sleeping, ants carried me a mile and a half away in the middle of the night.
LOL!! Love your comments!
Those were some awfully brave ants…
~snickers~
Very pretty. And easy to follow direstions. thanks.
Hey Karan, thank you so much!
I have two little girls, ages 3 and 5, who are about to be VERY happy! I’ve always been a little crafty, but have never found a really easy tutorial on how to make bows..until now! Thank you very much, Christy.
Love your blog, Christy! Keep up the great work you do on this site. This video does make it so easy. My daughter-in-love makes these for her girls and also does buy some for the correct colors at festivals and fun places and if she is in a hurry and doesn’t have time to make them at the moment herself for taking kids everywhere! You have made it so doable for us grandmas. I will make some for our next visit. Thanks!!
Hey, Christy! The bows (and kids) are adorable. I love all the bright, colorful ribbons. Before our third child (a girl after two boys!) was born, a sweet friend from our mothers’ group at church made a whole box full of tiny bows like these for our baby to be. She said she knew I wouldn’t have time to make them. Wasn’t that thoughtful? Sweet, thoughtful people just make the journey here so much nicer. Thanks for being one of those people! Have a great day!
Excellent! Thank you for doing this wonderful video! Your cameraman is phenomenal, also. What a great team. I just want to run out to the craft store now and get at it. My daughter is 9… I hope she’s not too old for these! You’re very inspiring, Christy!
DITTO. I THOUGHT SHE WAS GREAT. I ENJOYED THE WAY SHE EXPLAINED EVERY LITTLE DETAIL.
BARBIE GIRL
Great tutorial, thanks! I have no little girls, but someday – wayyy in the future – I might have grandgirls!
The expression on your little boy’s face in the picture is priceless.
This was PERFECT!!!! I LOVED it and it was very easy to follow!! Also folks remember, there are some craft stores that sell ribbon by the foot or yard and you don’t have to commit to a whole roll of ribbon. Or share with a friend who has little girls. Split the cost with a group of girlfriends and make them for everyone! That’s what I would do. I bet you can somehow rig these same ribbons (smaller size though) onto a large band for a babies headband. Those stretchy bands. Those are SOOO cute!!! Perfect video, easy to follow instructions!! Love it!
Bill she keeps talking about bows and I ain’t seen one bowtie pasta dish on here yet have you?I can make one of these girly bows and wear it to work tommorrow but the guys are probally going to give me a hard time about it I bet.It would be much easier to just take bowtie pasta for lunch than have that thing tickling the back of my neck all day I bet..
Okay, it’s official. You are my most AMAZING friend! I never knew it was this easy. Thanks for this tutorial. My 3 girls will now be able to wear some decent (cheap) bows!
Christy: You answered my request! I loved the fact that you did a video—I’m partial to that! It made it easy to follow. Thank you! e
What a great video! I always get myself so worked up in a tizzy when my bows won’t come out “just so” after all the measuring and stuff! I’ve totally avoided bows but now I may have to try again! And I’m SO adding you on Facebook! Thanks for the video!!
So cute! Thanks!
Oh my goodness! This is fantastic – I’m sending the link to all my cousins who have little girls! Thank you so much for making this tutorial, Christy – you ROCK!
Thanks for the instructions. I have a four year old (in the pic) that is such a girly girl! She cries if I try to make her wear pants. She’ll love these.
Loved it! I have wanted to know how to make bows for a long time and never knew how. Great tutorial!!!
Angie
Christy,
Just like with cooking- you make that seem so easy! Bow making has always intimidated me, but thanks to you, I can’t wait to try! Thank you!!!!
I now wish I had a litle girl to make bows for. I only have boys in my life.
Thank you so much for the tutorial on the adorable bows. My second-grader still wears a bow everyday. I’ve spent a small fortunate on her signature look. I’ll be heading to Hobby Lobby this week! Love all your great ideas!! Thanks for sharing.
Susan in Georgia
Christy, I wished I had known how to do this 25-30 years ago. Oh the cheerleader ribbons, I would have made instead of buying them. Some years I would buy 10-12 girls at least one bow. I did have a few good mothers during that time. One of the best times for using a bow was with one of the bus children from church. One little 3 year old girl wanted us to brush her hair. I had an extra bow in my car(in case one of the cheerleaders forgot) when we put that bow in her hair , you would think we just crowned her Miss America. How something so simple can really make a difference in a child’s life. So ladies if you enjoy making these give them to a school or church that could share them with little girls who don’t have a crafty mother(or a mother). Thank you Christy for your gift of teaching.
Oh my goodness, Christy! I just started making hair bows (you can see em on my FB page) – my friend makes some really beautiful ones (hers are tagged on my FB page too) but I am so with you on making it fun! I’ve been trying all kinds of different techniques – yours looks sooo simple and they still turn out great! I love that!! Thanks for sharing – I’m gonna give it a go with your method
Girl!
I knew that you must be a new friend when I found myself checking your site while we were on vacation! I was so happy to find your tutorial on hairbows!!! We have a 4 year old and I am bound and determined to keep her a little girl with a big ole hairbow for as long as I can!
I have a couple of friends over every Friday night for dinner and one night got the idea that we should make hairbows—I had to really bribe them with a great meal (neither of them is married or has a child!)
After too much wine and lots of hot glue burns, we had only a few raggedy looking bows—but we had a fun time!
I am ready to give it another try–thanks to you!
Keep up the good work—I am learning so much from you–and you crack me up!
I am a single mother & I do not recieve child support so I struggle to give my child the BEST! I have paid up to $20 dollars for single bows and did not know how I was going to buy more once she wore those out!!! This tutorial allowed me to make her numerous bows for what I would pay for one!! Thank you so much! This was REALLY helpful!
<3 Heather
I went to Hobby Lobby this weekend and the ribbons were 1/2 off so I bought several. Can’t wait to follow yor directions and make some for my 3-year-old daughter. Thanks.
I’m about the least crafty person you’d ever meet. I don’t have any girls, but thought this would make a great project for our mission teams at church! How adorable would some girls around the world look and how proud would they be to sport a new hair bow. This is a great project for our youth group girls and GAs! Thanks Christy – even I could follow this one! You’re a good Mama and a wonderful teacher to us all.
I have a 3 year old who loves to have bows in her hair. I was online looking for websites to purchase handmade bows from and found out that they want $8-$10 a bow! I decided I would make them myself and found your great tutorial. I did not realize it was so easy, I am anxious to get some ribbon and start making them! I am already wondering how to store all the new bows I am going to make, Do you store them any special way. I would hate to just throw them in her hair bow drawer! Thanks so much, Blessings, Sarah-Florida
Thank you SO much for this! I bookmarked it so I can go back to it once I buy my supplies
I loved it!!! ur such a great teacher. The bows are beautiful. I have 2 girls and I’ve always wanted to learn how to do things for them and you just made my day…Thank You!!!!!
Thank you so much. I have tried and tried at this..Other videos aren’t so simple to follow and like you said, why deal with all the measuring. Just wanted to thank you again!
Teena
Hi! I loved your video! Thank you for sharing! I’m a youth cheerleading coach and I would like to make some cute bows for my girls! Which bow would you suggest that I make for our upcoming competition? I only have a few days until our competition. I’m a newbie at making bows, so I need something that is easy. Thanks!!!
Hey Stacy!
Thank you so much for watching. If it were me and time was an issue, I’d make a single bow with contrasting knot in team colors. Kinda like the pink bow with green knot in the pic. You can make them as big as you like. I’d get inch and a half wide to two inches wide ribbon for the bow
Hope this helps!
CJ
Thanks again Christy!! I am going to the store right now to get my supplies! You have been very helpful! I’m going to take your advice and try making the bow with contrasting knot!!! Thank you tons!!!
One more question…I can’t glue a metal clip to the bow for competition…I need to have a scrunchie type ponytail holder instead (competition rules). So,do you think I should just hot glue a small scrunchie to the back of the bow? Not sure…thank you again for your help!
Hey! Glad to help!
What I would do is cut a piece of ribbon, glue the center of it to the back of the bow, then place the scrunchie in the middle and bring the ribbon ends together around it to glue them together. That way it is secured through a loop and the scrunchie can actually move more if need be. With way it takes away chances of the ribbon popping off since you won’t be pulling on it but the scrunchie when putting it in place.
Holler I’d I’m not making sense!
Christy
THANK YOU, THAN YOU!!!! It was driving me nuts trying to learn how to make a mislay hair bow for my little ones from YouTube videos. They make it sooooo complicated, I had to watch each video 3-4 times and I didn’t get the bows right no matter how I tried. I followed you with my ribbon on hand and I DID IT! I didn’t even have to pause the video once.
I’ve had to buy them little girl’s hair bows because I couldn’t find anything I liked in the pet stores. Sadly, most of the little girl bows are too big for my babies, so I’ve had to cut here, trim there, etc. to make them fit their little heads.
By the way, my little ones are Yorkies
Also, I love your southern accent, I can listen to you talk all day.
Yeah i looked all over youTube BIG MISTAKE!! dont waste your time I have told every mother at my work to watch your video
Thank-You Christy your great!!
Thanks Christy! I colead a middle school girls small group and we’re making hair bows to go with our shirts. (we’re about to have a “competition” with the other student small groups for our church, and we want to look the BEST! haha!) Anyways, your bow making way is the easiest that i found! it’s so awesome! thanks again!!!
-Amanda
[...] My hairbow tutorial can be found here. [...]
[...] hairbow tutorial I talk about in the videos may be found here. I have another video of how to make a hairbow holder that I’ll bring you soon, I just [...]
Another fantastic, easy idea. You sure do keep me busy!!! Thank you. Kelly
Christy… Your bow video is wonderful..I cannot wait to go out and make my 1 and 3 yr olds bows and bows for the little girls at church too! I have always wondered how to make bow like that. No more walmart bows for me..I am crafty. I will make them. I am so.. excited. I love your food and crafts. You are awesome and are going to be a STAR. Keep up the great work! Sincerely, Lora Fanning –Lynchburg, TN—
By mistake I bought hair ribbons to make bows for a Xmas tree. They werent stiff enough for the BIG bows (frustrated trying). Then i found your website. I just made 15 beautiful bow using your technique. THANKS!!!
thanks so much for your tutorial. It was very helpful!!
oh and haha…whatever cranks your tractor (never heard that one) Whatever floats your boat, yea…heard that…but your tractor, how cute!!
This is by far the *best* how-to bow video on the internet! I have been searching for one that I can easily follow, as I am not very crafty and this is so simple! I was able to easily make a bow watching this the very first time. My daughter is so excited to be able to have cute bows that Mama made!! Thank you for posting this!
I agree! This makes it look so easy, even I can do it!
I have a question what size ribbon do you use for the first set of loops, like the base ribbon, or dose it even matter??
&& This is by far the VERY best how-to bow video on the internet!
i looked and looked and looked.. I’m so glad i found this video!!
How thoughtful of you to post this, and a video! Girl, you must alrady know me…I can’t do anything by reading, you must SHOW me…I love your bows! I never thought that I could ever make cute bows for my little girl, but now I know that I can, thanks to you!
I can’t wait to get started…I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Thank you so much for this tutorial on bows! I have been struggling ALL night and came across your website, and I made a bow, it’s not the best looking thing ever, but hopefully knowing how to do it I can get better!!
Your bows are gorgeous!! 
Christy,
You have now turned me into a hairbow-making junkie!!!! I dream of hairbows, trips to JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby, searching for clips at the dollar store …it’s insane! Fortunately, my daughter (4) LOVES hairbows and we’re having fun matching them to her outfits. And her favorite? The big red satin “Eloise” hairbow!
I have found that I like my bows a little “fuller”, so I make 6 loops instead of 4. Works well on wide ribbon as well as the thinner ones…
Oh, and storage? Easy to do …. take a piece of 1 inch (or so) grosgrain ribbon approximately 3 – 4 feet long. For my daughter’s, I used white because I had more white ribbon than anything, plus it wouldn’t “fight” with all the ribbon colors we’ve used. You can choose a ribbon that will contrast to your daughter’s bedroom wall as well. Sew a curtain weight (available in Notions) into one end. Whip-stitch a small front-to-back loop in the other end of the ribbon (it will hide the thumbtack). Decorate the “loop” end with a bow or silk flower!
Now, I know there are other ways to attach this ribbon to the wall, but I go for the easiest — a thumb tack. So, using a thumb tack in the center of the loop (hidden by the top part of the loop and decoration) or whatever ingenious method you come up with, secure the ribbon on your daughter’s wall or back of door. Clip hairbows on the ribbon …. makes a great decoration and shows off the ribbons without crushing them in drawers!
*smiles*
Thank you so much for the inctructions and video. You are truly a great teacher. I love to make my 1 year old her pretty princess bows. Do you know how to tie any other bows for example the boutique or the ones with curly things in the middle?
Hi – it is Sue in NC again…I love your site. My daughters are grown..29, 25, 24 and now have a granddaughter and 2 grandsons – so I am back to making hair bows again for the granddaughter. Your instructions and the video are awesome! Easy and fun to watch! I’m printing this to share with my church friends – I know our GA’s will want to have a Saturday to make hairbows!!
Thank you so much for sharing with all of us…I love listening to you talk – you make me feel like we’re neighbors!! Love to hear southern girls talk!
Did you make a video on aprons? Would love to watch that one too!
Your kids picture is priceless!! Have a great day – love, hugs & kisses! Sue in Rougemont, NC.
Hi
I really enjoyed this post about making bows!
I also like to make bows simple and easy & this is!! thanks soo much sharing
I posted a link and photo on my blog look here http://seniwithlove.blogspot.com/2010/01/bows-bows-bows-bows.html
Yes, your instructions crank my tractor. Thankyou
I’v been looking for an easy way to make bows for my 3 yr old. All other tutorials were a little too complicated for me. I loved your video with easy instructions.Now I’m gonna get started on making bows. Thank you so much.
Oh my gosh I’ve been wanting to make bows for years and it’s been so confusing. But thanks to you I’m headin’ to hobby lobby right now! THank you thank you!
OMG!
I want to just say thank you for the video! I have a 9mo little girl and one of the girls at her daycare always had the exact bow that matches her outfits so I finally asked the little girl’s mother, where do she find her bows… the lady told me that she had someone make them! I said duh! So since then I have been online trying to find ways to make the bows, and I agree completely with you, its just too technical! So thank you for showing me the “REAL” way to make these bows, save money, and most importantly, to have fun!!!
OMG! YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE SO CLEAR AND LOOKS EASY. I WISH I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SOONER. I PAID TO GO TO A BOW CLASS BUT COULDNT MAKE IT (HOPE I GET REFUND) I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO MAKE SOME, I AM HAVING TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS IN A FEW MONTHS. THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL VIDEO. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW MY BOWS TURN OUT.