Introduction: How to Make a Hair Bow Holder for Girly Girls

By crumleydotorg.chattablogs.com
About: I'm a rather creative person married to an even more creative person. We are renovating our home, raising our son, and learning to enjoy life as it is.

My sister had a simple request: a place to store her daughter's growing number of hair clips. This craft of ribbon, netting, and lots of glue is my solution.

The size and amount of materials can be determined by the creator. I used a lot of what I had on hand already.

Materials and tools:

Embroidery hoop
Ribbon (a variety of widths and colors makes the finished product visually more interesting)
Tulle
Metal ring for hanging the project
Trim (optional, you could just use more ribbon)
Craft glue (hot glue could also be used)
Clamps

Step 1: Cut Embroidery Hoop in Half

An embroidery hoop was cut in half to create the base for the ribbons and netting. I used the hoop half that didn't have the tightening screw. Keep both the exterior and interior halves you will use.

Step 2: Measure and Cut Ribbon Used As Side Hangers

Measure and cut two pieces of ribbon. You can decide the length, I decided at least twelve inches was the best.

Glue one end of each piece around the ring you will use to hang the craft from. I used a D-ring because it was the first thing I put my hands on. This did create some problems when hanging, so I would suggest using a metal circle of some sort.

Glue the other end of the ribbon to the inside end of the hoop half. Do the same to the other piece of ribbon on the other end of the inside of the hoop half.

Step 3: Gather, Cut, and Arrange Ribbon

Gather the ribbon you will use to hang from the hoop half.

Cut it all to the same length then lay it out in the order you plan on hanging it.

To add some interest to the craft I put some rick rack over a sheer ribbon. I glued it every other wave to create some pockets to place the hair clips. I also glued thin ribbon in front of sheer wired ribbon, just to add more dimension to the craft. (When I tested the finished project, the hair clips didn't hold well to the thin ribbon. It was too slippery.)

Then I glued the ribbons to the inside of the exterior hoop half (the same one we already glued the ribbons used to hang the craft). I suggest starting in the middle (I eyeballed it, but you can measure if you have to) and working out from there. If you glue the ribbon with some excess hanging over the top, this is fine, it can be trimmed later.

Step 4: Glue the Middle Hanging Ribbon

To me, this was the trickiest part of the craft. I wanted the hoop half to stick out from the wall, so I had to place the middle hanging ribbon in a way it would support the hoop to be perpendicular to the wall.

Start by putting the end of the middle ribbon through the hanger and then glue that end to the inside of the hoop half. Hang the craft on the wall somewhere (I took down a wall clock to use the nail.) Pull the ribbon until the hoop half is perpendicular to the wall. Go ahead and cut the ribbon, but make sure you leave lots of excess.

Once it is level, use a clothes pin to hold the ribbon in place.

Remove the craft from the wall and while the clothes pin is still in place, glue the ribbon at the top. Once dry, trim the excess.

Step 5: Cut the Tulle and Glue It to the Hoop Half

To give the craft a visual base, I placed some netting behind the ribbons. In my case, I had left over mosquito netting just sitting in my attic. It is very stiff and I would suggest using tulle for a more flowing effect. (Note: While I used mosquito netting, I will use the term "tulle" since that is probably what you will be using.)

To cut the tulle, make sure the width is more than half the hoop circumference. Use a circumference calculator ( here's one ) to determine the circumference. Then divide by half. This is the number you need more of for your width. The tulle will have a gathered look to it, so you have to have more than half the hoop circumference.

The length of the tulle should be the same or a little bit more than the ribbons.

I'm sure there is a more scientific way to do this, but I started by gluing one edge of the tulle to one end of the interior of the hoop half. Then I glued the other edge to the other end of the interior of the hoop half. Next I glued the middle of the tulle to the middle of the hoop. I then folded and glued down the tulle to the rest of the hoop.

Step 6: Glue and Clamp the Interior Hoop to the Project

Once the craft is dry, you will need to glue the interior hoop to the project.

The best way to get a firm hold is to put the glue on the inside of the exterior hoop, put the interior hoop over the tulle and ribbons, then clamp it all into place.

Leave to dry.

Step 7: Glue Trim to Exterior Hoop

To give the project a finished look, I covered the exterior of the hoop with button and ribbon trim. Ribbon trim should be half the circumference of the whole hoop.

I trimmed any excess ribbon sprouting from the top of the project.

I gave it to my sister and as you can see from the pictures, it gets plenty of use.