What you need:
2-3 22in of 7/8in ribbon (3 if you want to double layer the top bow)
1-2 21in of 3/8in ribbon for surround loops
3 4.5in of 1.5in ribbon for spray (can use different sizes and amounts)
1 4.5in of 3/8in ribbon to line the alligator clip
1 3.5in of 3/8in ribbon for center of bow
hot glue gun
needle and thread
pliers (optional)
alligator clip
lighter to heat seal the ends of the ribbon
First you need to angle cut the ends of the ribbon. For the spray, just fold in half and angle cut it. Then you need to heat seal all the ends of the ribbon so the edges don't fray. Below is showing how I hold the edges of the spray to seal using the lighter, it keeps the point in the middle of the cut out clean and pointed.
Now we will start the surround loops. Take your ribbon and fold it in half, then unfold it and fold the halves in half so you have 4 sections of ribbon. You can mark the folds with a pen if needed. You will then bring one end of the ribbon and hot glue it to the top of the first fold as shown below. Bring the second fold and glue it under the first fold and line it up with the right edge of the ribbon.
Continue until it looks like this!
Next, I'm making the base bow. Fold the edge of the ribbon over 4in, then take the other end and fold it over the top at 4.5in and continue to fold around.
You will end up with the edge of the ribbon on top.
Fold the folded ribbon in half and stick a pin through the middle.
Make sure the 'tail' is on the top front side.
If you hold the pin in place on the back side it helps keep the ribbon from slipping off the pin while shaping it.
You will start with 'tail' up and pull the tail and the inside loop to the left and the outside loop to the right.
The bottom loops should start to take shape as well, just make sure the inside tail and outside loop goes to the right and the inside loop goes to the left.
It should look like this before you sew.
Start at the top and sew down to the bottom keeping the needle in the ribbon. Pinch the center of the bow while still on the needle and hold while you pull the needle through. Mark sure the knot at the end of your thread is big enough not to slip through the ribbon. Wrap the thread around the bow 3-4 times and triple knot it in the back.
The next picture is upside down but just showing the same steps for the top bow as the bottom bow, But the top is double layered.
When the ribbon is double layered you may need to use pliers to pull the needle through the bow.
Wrap the thread around 3-4 times and triple knot it in the back.
Here's the top bow. Trim off the excess bottom layer of the 'tail' and re-heat seal the end.
Next, you'll lay the spray out how you like it. I like to make sure the points touch. Use a clip to hold in place for easier adjusting. If you use 7/8in to make the spray you'll want to use 2 pieces of ribbon for every one 1.5in ribbon.
Same as the bows, pinch the center of the spray while still on the needle and pull the needle through, wrap around 3-4 times and triple knot it in the back.
Now I'm going to line the alligator clip. Glue one end of the 3/8in ribbon to the bottom of the 'handle' of the clip.
Wrap around and glue inside the handle.
Glue the ribbon down to follow the top prong. Glue the end of the ribbon on the inside of the clip. The top prong should be covered and the bottom prong open.
Here are all the elements in a Boutique bow. All we have to do is glue them together!
Glue the top bow to the surround loops. Glue the spray the the bottom of the surround loops. Then glue the base bow to the bottom of the spray.
Put glue on the top of the alligator clip and stick it on the bottom of the bow.
For the center of the bow if you want to use a button/resin/jewel then use the 3.5in ribbon, Glue the center of the ribbon to the bow. If you want to use a knot then you'll need 4.5in and glue the knot to the center of the bow.
Turn the bow over and bring the edges of the center ribbon around the bow and glue them to the inside of the clip.
There are all the steps to making a Boutique style bow! You can fluff it and shape it how you think is best and spray it with starch to help it keep it's shape.
Below are measurements needed to make different size bows.
3in Boutique Bow.
2-3 18in of 7/8in rib. for top and base bows
17.5in of 3/8in rib. for surround loops.
4in of your choice ribbon for spray.
clip and center ribbon is the same.
5-6in Bow
2-3 27in of 7/8 or 1.5in(usually works better for this size) Top/Base
26.in of 3/8in rib. for loops
6in spray
8in Bow
2-3 34in of 1.5in rib.
32in of 3/8in rib. for loops
9-10 8.5in of ribbon for spray (adjust for different sizes)
