How to Make Baby Hair Bows

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Baby hair bows are a cute way to dress up your little one’s hair, and they are so easy to make! All you need is some ribbon, hot glue, and a barrette to attach the bow to. Choose any type of ribbon you like and form it into a bow. Then, simply attach the bow to a barrette for a cute and easy baby hair accessory.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a Simple Baby Hair Bow Barrette

PDF download Download Article
  1. Cut one 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) long piece of 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide ribbon, depending on how big you want your finished bow to be. Then, cut one 4 in (10 cm) long piece of 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon, which you will wrap around the center of your baby bow. Measure the 2 pieces of ribbon with a ruler and cut them with a sharp pair of fabric scissors. [1]
    • Choose 2 kinds of ribbon that complement each other. Also, make sure to select ribbon in prints, colors, and textures that you like.
    • Since you will be folding the ribbon in half, a 4 in (10 cm) long piece of ribbon will create a 2 in (5.1 cm) bow, while a 6 in (15 cm) piece will create a 3 in (7.6 cm) bow. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Match up the 2 short ends of the ribbon to fold it in half. Then, crease the ribbon along the fold. This crease line will serve as your guide for gluing the ribbon’s ends to form the bow. [3]
    • Keep in mind that this fold is only temporary to create a crease. You will need to unfold the ribbon to form the loops for the bow.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Unfold the ribbon and lay it with the back side of the ribbon facing up. Then, apply a line of glue along the edge of the crease and press 1 end of the ribbon into it. Hold the end of the ribbon against the line of glue for 15 seconds to set it. This will form 1 loop with the ribbon. [4]
    • Repeat for the other side of the ribbon so that you have 2 loops on either side of the crease you made.
    • Be careful not to get hot glue on your skin or it may burn you. To avoid touching the glue at all, press down the ends of the ribbon with the end of a pen or a pencil eraser. [5]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Next, grasp the center of the bow with the raw edges of the bow against your fingertips. Pinch until the center of the bow is folded in half and the 2 edges of the center meet up. Hold the bow in this position for about 5 seconds to crease this fold. [6]
    • Make sure that the hot glue has already set and cooled before you release the center of the bow. Otherwise, you may undo the ends or even burn your fingers.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Release the center of the bow and then apply a dot of hot glue to the crease you made. Pinch the bow again to press the 2 sides of bow’s center together around the glue. Hold the bow in this position for about 15 seconds to set the glue. [7]
    • Only use a small dot of glue. Too much and it will squeeze out around the center of the bow and glue too much of the center together and possibly even burn your skin.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Once the glue has set, take 1 edge of the center of the bow and fold it back. Press the ribbon in the opposite direction of the first fold to create an accordion-like fold at the center of the bow. Then, release the ribbon and apply a dot of glue to the fold and press it again. Hold it in this position for 15 seconds to set the glue, and then repeat the same fold on the other edge. [8]
    • The second fold should be the mirror image of the first fold, but on the other side of the bow’s center.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Apply a small dot of glue to the back of the bow and press 1 end of the narrow ribbon into it. Then, wrap the ribbon around the center going towards the front side of the bow and back around to the back. Do this 2 times, and then glue the other end of the ribbon behind the bow. [9]
    • If there is any excess ribbon, cut it off with your scissors.
    • If you want to make a double bow, then do not wrap the center of your bows. Leave them bare so that you can wrap the ribbon around both bows at once.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Apply a line of glue to the barrette and then press the back of the bow onto it. Hold the barrette firmly against the back of the bow for about 15 seconds to ensure that the glue is set. [10]
    • Be careful not to move the bow while you are pressing on it or it won’t set properly.

    Tip : Baby hair is finer than adult hair, so you may want to purchase a special baby barrette or a non-slip barrette to use as the base for your bow. Check in the hair supply section of a drug or grocery store to find one.

    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Double Baby Bow

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you want to create a double bow, then make a second simple bow in the same way that you made the first one. You can use the same color ribbon or a complementary color. [11]
    • For example, you could make 1 bow in yellow with white polka dots and the second bow in plain yellow or in a yellow ribbon with white flowers on it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Take the 2 bows and apply a dot of hot glue to the side of 1 bow at its center. Then, place the other bow against the center of this bow and pinch the 2 bows to press them together around the glue. Hold the bows in this position for about 15 seconds to set the glue and secure them together. [12]
    • Only apply a small dot of glue between the 2 ribbons to attach them. You will be wrapping the bows with a piece of ribbon as well, so it is okay to only use a little glue.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Next, cut a 4 in (10 cm) piece of 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon. Apply a dot of glue to the back of one of the bows and press the end of the ribbon into it. Then, wrap the ribbon around the front of the 2 bows and around to the back again. Bring the ribbon around the center of the bows 1 more time and then glue the other end in the back. [13]
    • Make sure to press the ends of the ribbon for about 15 seconds to set the glue.
    • If there is any excess ribbon after you wrap it around the bow, cut it off.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    Next, cut a piece of 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon to the same length as your barrette. Then apply a line of glue to the barrette and press the ribbon into it. Hold the ribbon in place for 15 seconds to set the glue. [14]

    Tip : You can glue the bow onto a headband if you prefer. Just identify where you want to attach the bow and glue it directly onto the headband. Then, glue the end of a 4 in (10 cm) long piece of 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon to the underside of the headband, wrap it tightly around the around the center of the bow 2 to 3 times, and glue the other end on the underside of the headband. [15]

  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    After the glue has set, apply a line of glue across the ribbon on the barrette. Then, press the back of the bow into the ribbon and hold it for 15 seconds to set the glue. [16]
    • Make sure that the bow is centered over the ribbon and oriented the way you want it to be.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Baby Hair Bows
    As a final touch to secure the bow and make the barrette easier to keep in your baby’s hair, cut out 1 more 4 in (10 cm) long piece of the 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon. Open up the barrette and apply a dot of glue to the underside of the barrette. Press the end of the ribbon into it and wrap it around the center of the bow. Wrap it around 1 more time and then glue the end of the ribbon on the underside of the barrette again. [17]
    • This completes your double baby hair bow! After the glue is set and cooled it is ready to use!
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Another alternative is to stitch the bow to a piece of colored elastic to make a headband. Cut a commercial elastic hair band down to fit your baby's head and whipstitch the ends together. Or, make a casing from ribbon and thread flat elastic through to make a band.
        Thanks
        Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide ribbon
      • 3 ⁄ 8  in (0.95 cm) wide ribbon
      • Ruler
      • Scissors
      • Hot glue gun and glue
      • Barrette

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Hair Bow out of Ribbon
      How to
      Create Beaded Hair Barrettes
      How to
      Make a Bow with Wired Ribbon
      How to
      Crochet a Headband
      How to
      Knit a Headband
      How to
      Sew a Scrunchie
      How to
      Wear a Tiara
      Easy DIY Headbands You Can Sew, Braid, or Glue
      How to
      Securely Place a Flower in Your Hair
      How to
      Put Hair Rings in Your Hair
      How to
      Put Feathers in Your Hair
      A Complete Guide to Wearing Hawaiian Flowers
      How to
      Carve a Hair Stick from a Twig
      How to
      Make a Flower Hair Clip
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=18
      2. ↑ https://www.makelifelovely.com/no-sew-hair-bow-headbands/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=70
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=86
      5. ↑ https://www.makelifelovely.com/no-sew-hair-bow-headbands/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=142
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=160
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=182
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      6. ↑ https://www.makelifelovely.com/no-sew-hair-bow-headbands/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRgrc-C6g8&feature=youtu.be&t=238

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 59,301 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement