Bow Making ????

[dogloverx4]

Does anyone know how to make a dog bow ???? The FANCY kind . I notice this question come up quite a bit - but the bow makers continue to HOG their secrets . I mean , how hard could it be ? Sarah
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/dogloverx3/precious20pups20010.jpg

[Kanga]

I know what you mean and it is frustrating as the bows here in Au are pathetic.

I do know that a prolific bow maker who sells her bows on another board bought bows and pulled them apart to see how they were made and went from there.

There are books available. I have a link somewhere but the book she wants to sell you is like $30au or something.:eek:

Maybe we could start a Bow Making workshop thread where we can practice making bows and go to the thread for advice, help and tips.

Things like placing a pencil in the loops to hold them while you spray with fabric stiffener..... tips like that.

[dogloverx4]

I'm off to google right now - how hard could it be - I mean it isn't brain surgery . Sarah

[dogloverx4]

Here's one
RUFFLED BOW ON BARRETTE

MATERIALS
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/dogloverx3/RuffBarr5.jpg

Ribbon: About 14 inches (35 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide
Needle and Thread
Metal or plastic barrette
Straight pins or a pen for marking
ESIMATED COST

USD 1.50 or less
INSTRUCTIONS

RIBBON PREPARATION


Cut your ribbon ends at matching angles so you have two points
Use pen or a pin to mark the ribbon an inch (2.5 cm) from each point
Between those first marks, make four marks at 2-inch (5 cm) intervals
For each mark, take about 6 inches (15 cm) of double thread and sew a line
Sew back across and leave the thread ends loose
We used blue thread to demonstrate. You can use thread that matches your ribbon


RUFFLES

Start with one end. Pull your first thread tight
The ribbon should bunch up
Add a needle to this thread and wrap around the bunched area twice
Then take the needle and thread and weave under the barrette and over the bunched area a few times
You can take your needle through the bunched area a few times as well. Just make sure you are not getting the thread around the clasp or spring
When done, secure your thread and cut off
Continue with the next threads, folding up the ribbon in between each time
You should now have six ruffles and two pointy ends
Adjust the spacing of the ruffles along the barrette and glue on central ornamentation
Here's a picture of the same bow as above with a different ornament in the middle. Jo found it amazing that it was so easy to learn how to make dog bows. It's much less complicated than it looks, isn't it?



Variations on this type of bow are endless:

You can use thinner ribbon and space things a little more closely, say 1 3 /4 inches (4.5 cm), or use wider ribbon and put spacing at 2.5 inches (6 cm) intervals
Your ribbon could be shorter or longer so you have between four and ten ruffles on the barrette
The whole idea is to keep your measurements symmetrical and the final effect should look good.

[Kanga]

Are there pictures? I am a visual person ;)

Even for the renovations I have storyboards everywhere. With cutting of pics of furnishings and swatches etc for each room.

I am a bore I know ;)

[bek74]

I would luv to be able to make my own bows. I think that is something I need to try. I have a few beautiful bows ( from someone on another forum) that may be able to give me some Idea, along with your info Sarah.

Note to self:- go out to spotlight through the week and pick up some goodies

[dogloverx4]

Bren , the picture is there in my photobucket link !!! Sarah P.S here's another
The tailored bow is made by gradually decreasing the size of the loops stacked on top of each other. If you work with double sided ribbon you can make the bow with one piece of ribbon. With a single sided ribbon, the bow is made of separate loops.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/dogloverx3/bevfabriccrafts_1932_37698260.gif
Tailored Bow, using Double Sided Ribbon

1. Fold ribbon decreasing loop size on each layer.



2. Staple all the layers together.



3. Add a length of ribbon behind loops for two tails and staple underneath loops.



4. Wrap a length of ribbon around center of bow and glue ends together.







Tailored Bow, using Single Sided ribbon

1. Cut three lengths of ribbon. Make a circle with each length overlapping the ends 1"



2. Stack the loops as shown and staple all them together



3. Wrap a length of ribbon around the center of the bow, overlap the ends and glue them together.



4. Optional tail: Glue pointed tails to back of center loop.

[Kanga]

Ooops didnt see the links. :fainted:

I like that ruffled bow very much ;)

[Morkie4]

You guys make me feel so lazy!!!! I'd much rather buy off of ebay stores and be done with it. Most of them will do "any" type of bow in any color.......guess it's just too easy for me to get bows that way. What a party poop I am!:( I just bought Kallie two pink bows with dots and her initial in white in the middle and bought Toby a red dotted bow with his initial in white in the middle. Good price and no effort on my part but to sit in front of the computer and type! Man, I really feel lazy!:(

[Kanga]

Those really adorable bows available in the US are not available here in Oz the bows here just do not compare, and with the exchange rates and postage if we can make our own it would be much more viable and also rewarding. ;)

[dogloverx4]

Yes not to mention , some peoples color combinations make me want to gag - ROFL . Sarah

[Kanga]

Yes not to mention , some peoples color combinations make me want to gag - ROFL . Sarah

:fainted:



:haha: :sidesplit: Yeah and that too.

[Morkie4]

Yes not to mention , some peoples color combinations make me want to gag - ROFL . Sarah

:hmmm: Well, you just don't buy the ones that make you gag! silly!!! :sidesplit: :sidesplit:

[Gregswife]

:hmmm: Well, you just don't buy the ones that make you gag! silly!!! :sidesplit: :sidesplit:

MY Gosh Carol, you are indeed a genius - I wold have never thought of that option!!! :lol2: :sidesplit:
I buy my bows from Marj on SM and really love them. Then I decided I could do - bought the barrettes, ribbon, stiffener, glue ticks, etc. - looked at the pile of stuff and then went online and ordered more bows from Marj. Seems easier to me and her bows are so lovely and good quality. I wish you ladies luck who are going to attempt it - I just think I don't have the patience, plus my fingers don't always work the way I want them too.

[dogloverx4]

Yes I like Marj's bows - but I'm into INSTANT GRATIFICATION and mail to OZ is SLOW !!! Not to mention , I can match the ribbon to my girls outfits exactly . Sarah

[Kanga]

I would just love to make bows just for the pure indulgence and the satisfaction of having done it myself.

I live with Mathmaticians and sports psychologists so bow making surely isnt that intellectual :tongue3:

I knew I had a link saved somewhere of an Aussie bow maker..... we may be able to get some ideas and styles from this site. Oz fancy bows (http://www.gateway.net.au/~rlf/shihtzu/38.html)
I am curious to know what the clips are she talks about!

[Chloeandj]

I used to make bows, but after making them a while...I'd rather buy them too!!! :tongue7:

[Kanga]

Why is that Jodi. :confused:

Is it just too fiddley to make your own :confused:

[Chloeandj]

Yep, they're too fiddley;) Especially to make the really pretty ones with all the beads and layers. The other thing, if you are just making ones for yourself, it gets quite expensive. I wish I didn't have to buy a whole roll of ribbon and whole pack of beads for just one bow.

I also don't have the patience for it. :tongue7:

[Kanga]

Sarah,
Have you made any bows yet? I would love to see some pics if you have :)

I am saving my attempt till winter when I will be inside more looking for something to do,

[dogloverx4]

Sarah,
Have you made any bows yet? I would love to see some pics if you have :)

I am saving my attempt till winter when I will be inside more looking for something to do,
Bren , I have purchased a million yards of ribbon , stiffner , beads , etc:D , but I haven't had time to make any yet . This weekend I start my new craft , I'll be offering bows for free to all my mates . Sarah p.s Shih Tzus look good in red and pink .

[Maza]

There are some my handmade bows :)
http://www.freewebs.com/mazinbutik/masnice.htm