How to Make Little Girls Hair Bow Barrettes

• Step 1

  Choose an appropriately sized barrette for your little girl's size and age. Select one that is plain; not adorned with ribbon or decorations. Choose a color or pattern of ribbon that you like. It shouldn't be much wider than the barrette is thick.

• Step 2

  Practice tying a simple bow with the ribbon. You may leave the ends of the bow long or short. Once you get a bow that is the perfect shape and size to cover the outside of the barrette, you must apply a dab of hot glue inside the knot on the bow. In addition, you must wrap some floral wire around the center of the bow to help to fasten it even tighter.

• Step 3

  Allow the glue in the bow to dry. Snip any parts of the wire that stick out from the bow. Cut a small piece of extra ribbon and use the hot glue gun to affix this piece onto the exposed floral or craft wire. Trim the ends of the ribbon. They may be left long so they flow from the barrette, or they may be trimmed short so that only the bow shows. If you choose to keep the ribbon ends long, trim the very ends in a "W" shape. Face the ribbon end toward you. Think of each side of the ribbon as the first and last lines in the letter "W" and cut the remainder of the "W" into the ribbon end. This leaves a trim and tidy appearance to the end of the ribbon and will help prevent fraying.

• Step 4

  Fasten the ribbon bow to the flat surface of the barrette, using a hot glue gun. Press the bow firmly onto the glue and barrette, and allow 1 hour for drying time before using it.

• 2
• Plain barrettes Hot glue gun and glue sticks Ribbon Scissors Floral or craft wire
• Plain barrettes
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Floral or craft wire

References & Resources

• Elegance in Bloom
• Makes and Takes