Friday, November 11, 2011

Deep South DIY: Pinwheel Bows

I am so excited to share this bow tutorial with you as Pinwheel Bows are my absolute favorite to make!
I timed myself and this bow took 20 minutes including stopping to take the tutorial pictures, so I know you guys can find the time to complete at least one!

If you missed last week you need to check out the tutorial for Boutique Bows. Remember my new motto...we will never buy a bow again!

My precious Belle sporting her Halloween Pinwheel Bow!

Supplies Needed:
1 yard of 1.5" ribbon (you may use any width or length depending on the size of the bow you desire) 
Lighter or other heat sealing device
Scissors
Ruler
Marking Pen that will bleed through to both sides of the ribbon
Needle and thread
Hair Clip (these may be purchased from any craft store)
Glue Gun

Begin by cutting your ribbon into two sections of 31" and 5". Set aside the 5" for later use. Finish the ends of your 31" of ribbon either with a diagonal or a "v" shape. I think the "v" is very cute for pinwheel bows. Cut desired end and use your lighter or heat sealing device to sear the ends being careful not to burn. I have learned to hard way to do this first as I have ruined a few bows by making my ends when the bow is complete. You can always go back and trim and end a little shorter at the end if necessary.

Measure 3.5" from the right end of your ribbon. Use a marking device that will bleed through to the opposite side of the ribbon to mark the 3.5" mark. Dots are easier for marking as the ribbon does not stay straight easily when making a straight line.

Move the first line to the 6" mark on your ruler and make another line to mark 6" from the first line.
Continue making a mark every 6" until you have a total of 5 marks and around 3.5" left at the left end of your ribbon.

Take your needle and thread and cut about 18-24" of thread and thread your needle. Tie a large double not in the end of your ribbon to help secure your thread.

Starting with the right end of the ribbon, lay the ribbon with the correct side facing up if using a printed ribbon. If you are using a plain ribbon like me, choose one side to be your top and one side to be your bottom. Hand sew your needle across your first marked line on the top of your ribbon. Pull thread through very gently so the ribbon remains flat.

Bring your ribbon under to the right so that you are now looking at the bottom of the ribbon and sew across the second marked line. Pull thread gently through allowing the ribbon to lie flat.

Bring your ribbon across towards the left so that you are now looking at the top of your ribbon and sew across your third marked line. Pull thread through again allowing ribbon to lie flat.

Bring your ribbon under to the right so that you are seeing the bottom of your ribbon and sew across your fourth marked line. Pull thread through again gently allowing ribbon to lie flat.

Bring your ribbon across to the left so that you see the top and sew across your fifth and final marked line. You should now see a zig-zag with the first, third and fifth line showing the top of your ribbon and the second and fourth line showing the bottom of your ribbon.

Gently pull your thread cinching your ribbon as you go. Make sure that all your loops are showing the top of your ribbon. Once your ribbon is tight, pinch your bow the center using your non-dominant thumb and forefinger.

Loop your thread around the center a few times. Push your needle through the center from the front of the bow to the back.

Tie your thread in a few knots and then trim your ends.

Using the set aside 5" of ribbon (you can also use an accent color of ribbon if desired) fold it over one third long ways (you know hot dog style).

Fold the other third over the first third and secure both ends with a dot of hot glue.

Tie the folded ribbon to make a knot in the center.

Secure one side of the knotted ribbon to the back of the bow using a dot of hot glue.

Bring the other side around so that the knot is in the center of the front of the bow and secure the other end to the back of the ribbon with a dot of hot glue (you may need to trim the ribbon a little bit to get the right fit).

Attach your hair clip to the back of the ribbon using hot glue. If you hair clip is open on both sides, remember to put a piece of folded parchment or wax paper between the clip to prevent the clip from being glued together.

And there you have a Pinwheel Bow! Trim your ends up if necessary to get them even.

Since my model was at preschool this morning, I graciously stepped in for her....and then almost forgot to take it out of my hair before going to get her from preschool!

Don't forget to check out last week's Boutique Bow Tutorial!

Giving credit to the tutorial that taught me: Notes from the Patch

Ever have questions or want to request a tutorial email me at deepsouthsweets@gmail.com. You can also visit Deep South Sweets on Facebook or follow me on Pinterest!

blog signature - 4/2011

1 comment:

  1. I totally could see you walking into preschool with that pretty bow to pick up Belle. Great tutorial, if I had a lil girl I would love it :) My boys wouldn't appreciate the bows much, neither would their dad!

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