Ribbon Unlimited

Pinwheel Bows

This tutorial will demonstrate how to create pinwheel bows. These bows are often used as shoulder bows on boutique dresses or outfits.

First, you will need to make a template. Below is an illustration of the pattern to make your template. This template is for making 4" pinwheel bows. The main thing to remember is simply to make your template width the width you want your bows. The length of your template and the middle opening is just to your preference. I suggest making the middle opening wide enough for your clip to be inserted. The length gives you plenty of room to wrap your ribbon around (as you will see in the instructions). Use this template as a general guide and create your future templates as you see fit. The main idea is just to offer consistency. Make your template ouf of stomething sturdy such as cardboard or foam board. I've seen where some people make them out of wood, but you will need to make sure that the wood is really sanded smooth and probably finished with a clear coating so that the ribbon will freely slide off the template.

Materials Needed:

Template
1.5" Ribbon *(Note: This is the width used in this tutorial)
3/8" Ribbon (for bow center)
Heavy Duty Thread (I use crochet thread)
Safety Pin or Hair clip (depending on use)
Hot Glue Gun and Sticks
Scissors
Creasing Tool (details will follow in directions)

Directions:

1. Using template and 1.5" ribbon, hold your template as shown in photo. Begin with the end of the ribbon hanging just below the side of template which will later become one of the tails. Bring ribbon up and then wrap around the back. (Fig.1)

Fig 1

2. Wrap ribbon back around the front again aligning the ribbon right beside the first ribbon. Continue wrapping the ribbon around the back again. (Fig 2)

3. Wrap around the front one more time aligning right beside the ribbon on the front. You should have one ribbon end pointing down and the other ribbon end pointing up. (Fig 3)

4. At this point, I would recommend cutting a piece of crochet thread and inserting it into your creasing tool. (Fig 4)

Note: The creasing tool that I am using in this tutorial is the Gator Bite that can be purchased at www.lookatmebaby.com. You can also use a jumbo salon clip that can be purchased at a beauty supply store.

Fig 4

5. Carefully slide your ribbon wrapped template onto your creasing tool. One reason for loading your thread ahead of time is because you will be pushing your ribbon all the way onto your creasing tool which will prevent you from placing the thread through your tool after you have your ribbon pushed on there. (Fig 5)

Fig 5

6. Carefully begin sliding the ribbon off of the template while trying to keep your ribbons side by side. (Fig 6)

Fig 6

7. Use your thread and carefully begin tying the ribbon while the creasing tool allows creases to be made. Pull thread tight. Flip creasing tool over and thread string through to the other side of the tool and tie in a double knot. Trim string. (Fig 7)

Fig 7

8. Trim tails at an angle. (Fig 8)

(Fig 8)

**I recommend you to seal the tails using the sealing method of your choice. I typically use a lighter and lightly brush the ribbon ends. This will "melt" the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying. Be careful not to hold the flame to the ribbon ends too long or it will give a "thick" melt appearance. You just want to expose the ends long enough to keep it from fraying.

9. Finish the center by hot gluing a piece of 3/8" ribbon to the front. You can attach a safety pin or hair clip to the back before glueing the 3/8" ribbon piece ends to the back.

Congradulations, you have just made a pinwheel bow!