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I originally got the idea of these from an awesome link that one of my awesome friends (Hi, Zi!) posted on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MetDaanMagazine/videos/1947288775508837/). For my bows, I switched up the end process, because either I am much cheaper than the original creators or I just love having tons and tons of bows and those darn clips get expensive.

Now let’s get started.

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           Supplies:

  • 4 skewers
  • Corrugated cardboard (the thick stuff)
  • Alligator clip/bobby pins/thing to attach bow to
  • Various ribbons
  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  • FLAME!
  • A love for bows 🙂

 

1.Take a chunk of cardboard (the nice thick stuff with the holes in the sides rather than the thin stuff from food boxes) and stick four skewers through the sides. The spacing between the skewers will determine how big your bow is. (Big space = big bow, little space = little bow). Play around with spacing to determine your preference. It’s easy to switch it up.
1. Take a chunk of thick corrugated cardboard (the stuff with the holes in the sides) and stick four skewers through it. The spacing between the skewers will determine how big your bow is. (Big space = big bow, little space = little bow). Play around with spacing to determine your preference. It’s easy to switch it up.

 

2.Clip one end of the ribbon to the first peg, then weave back and forth through the rest for desired number of rows. (5 rows for 2 loops, 7 rows for 3 loops, etc.)
2. Clip one end of the ribbon to the first peg, then weave back and forth through the rest for desired number of rows. (5 rows for 2 loops, 7 rows for 3 loops, etc.)

 

3.Clip into place.
3. Clip into place.

 

4.Hot glue a strip of ribbon around the middle to create the bow.
4. Hot glue a strip of ribbon around the middle to create the bow. You can use the same ribbon as your bow or switch it up to add more flare.

 

5.Unclip and remove bow from skewers.
5. Unclip and remove bow from skewers.

 

6.Trim ends
6. Trim ends

 

7. Melt edges with a flame to prevent fraying.
7. Melt edges with a flame to prevent fraying.

 

Now you have your bow.
Now you have your bow.

 

I love versatility as much as I love upcycling, so I have a few options for how to attach your bow.

Option 1:

If you want, you can just glue an alligator clip to the back and be done with it.
If you want, you can just glue an alligator clip to the back and be done with it.

 

Option 2:

If you are obsessed with bows like me, you can conserve clips by reusing them for multiple bows. To do this:

1.Take an extra bit of ribbon (color doesn’t really matter, because you won’t be able to see it once it’s on). Wrap it into desired clip.
1. Take an extra bit of ribbon (color doesn’t really matter, because you won’t be able to see it once it’s on). Wrap it around the desired clip.

 

2.Glue ends together to form a loop.
2. Glue the ends together to form a loop.

 

3.Glue that to the back of your bow and you can easily slip the clip into the loop when you want to wear that bow and slip it out when you want to rock a different bow. Ta dah!
3. Glue that to the back of your bow and you can easily slip the clip into the loop when you want to wear that bow and slip it out when you want to rock a different bow. Ta dah!

 

Option 3:

You can also make a smaller loop to slide onto a headband as well if that is more your style. Yay, versatility!
You can also make a smaller loop to slide onto a headband as well if that is more your style. Yay, versatility!

 

BONUS UPCYCLING TIP: Easily store your bows in an old take out container or check out my upcoming bow holder tutorial. :)
BONUS UPCYCLING TIP: Easily store your bows in an old take out container or check out my upcoming bow board tutorial. 🙂