How to make an easy tutu and hair bows~updated!

[Cibahwewah]

I made the Minnie bow that a previous poster showed photos of, as a pin for a friend. You can find instructions at girlythingsbows.com
I copied most of my previous ones from etsy.com and designed the Lilo and Stitch myself.

 

[Couturier]

...and $400 later it has turned into an obsession. I have sold $150 worth, so I'm still out $250, but have about 50 bows to show for it. So far. Here are some of my Disney themed ones...

The last ones I made were the Lilo and Stitch, which my little girl is proudly wearing and running around the house with right now! She fell in love with Stitch after meeting him in Tomorrowland. Now he's her favorite---prior to that we'd never even seen the movie. She loves the princesses, but really adores Lightning McQueen (I won't post that one--looks too dorky) and Stitch.

WOW! Those are ALL GREAT! Cool on designing the Lilo and Stitch! These are just so cool! I wish I had the patience! I have made a few bows now but the are VERY basic, lol.

Thanks,Dana

 

[surfergirl602]

how much are you selling them for, if you don't mind me asking? I'm curious about the work to pay ratio on those - they're great!

 

[surfergirl602]

I found a tutorial online similar to the ones that I made, but I didn't do the three rings. My measurements are a bit different, but you get the idea from this. Just try whatever you like best that works for you!

http://brooklynsbows.blogspot.com/2008/11/minnie-mouse-clippie.html

 

[MRNsMommy]

...and $400 later it has turned into an obsession. I have sold $150 worth, so I'm still out $250, but have about 50 bows to show for it. So far. Here are some of my Disney themed ones...

The last ones I made were the Lilo and Stitch, which my little girl is proudly wearing and running around the house with right now! She fell in love with Stitch after meeting him in Tomorrowland. Now he's her favorite---prior to that we'd never even seen the movie. She loves the princesses, but really adores Lightning McQueen (I won't post that one--looks too dorky) and Stitch.

Wow! Those are amazing! My faves are the Little Mermaid and Nemo ones!

I found a tutorial online similar to the ones that I made, but I didn't do the three rings. My measurements are a bit different, but you get the idea from this. Just try whatever you like best that works for you!

http://brooklynsbows.blogspot.com/2008/11/minnie-mouse-clippie.html

Thanks! I'm determined to get myself to the store tomorrow to buy all the stuff to start making these things!

 

[Cibahwewah]

I counted them all this AM--my DD now has 148 bows/hairclips/ponytail holders. I think I've gone a little overboard!
I've been selling bows to friends. Etsy is saturated, and it looks like most people aren't selling much, so I haven't opened an Etsy shop. Ebay has some people from China selling at rock bottom prices and it seems that the American made bows can't sell for much. It takes me about 2 minutes to ribbon-line an alligator clip which sell for $1. In about five minutes I can do a boutique fold bow, which sell for $2 or so. It takes me about 20 minutes to do a ribbon sculpture (posted pics above) which sell for about $8 (I sell them for $6) and it has taken me up to an hour to do more complicated ribbon sculptures. I figure my costs (not including labor) are about $1 per bow. I did a group of 24 bows for an inner city baton twirling team and only charged the cost of the supplies, and it came to $24. (I donated the 4 hours of labor). I can see how it's popular as a money-making venture for SAHMs, but so many people are doing it, you may have trouble making enough money to make it worth your time selling them online. I have seen people locally selling bows at craft shows and consignment sales, but you'd have to have a pretty large inventory and figure in the cost of renting the table. One other glitch with selling bows commercially is the new CPSIA regulations which require proof of lead testing of children's products.

To the mods: I am not trying to sell anything here--just giving advice...just read post about advertising...

 

[kileybeth]

cibahwewah

You wouldn't have to be "trying to sell anything" with the adorable looks of those bows! I see I can not PM you either. I am not crafty myself, yet constantly read these boards and then go searching for hair things for my DD3 on ebay, etsy, etc but rarely come up with any I totally love. I do have a few venders I purchase from regularly BUT I have yet to see these princess ones (at least not recently). I imagine they are very very labor intensive despite what you say! Would love if you could point me in the right direction. Please feel free to PM me if you feel comforable doing so.

 

[MRNsMommy]

I FINALLY went tonight and bought all of the materials and am determined to try to make some bows tomorrow! Wish me luck!

 

[Cibahwewah]

Good luck! Before you know it, you'll have bows in every shade, and every character you can think of!

 

[MRNsMommy]

Yep! I think I have about 25 bows already made! I'm addicted! I've just been doing the basic ones today...I'll attempt the characters after I've mastered these!

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

Hi all -
I'm about to attempt my first bows. I have two questions:

1. How do you affix the bow to the barrette? Tips/Tricks?
2. How do you tie off or seal the center knot under the bow?

Could someone please post pictures of the underside of a finished bow and barrette?

Thank you!

 

[mickeygaga]

subbing

 

[Missin'Disney]

subbing!

thanks, OP! you rock! also, a big "thank you" to those who've posted pix and suggestions....

After finding this thread 2 days ago, I ordered $50 worth of grosgrain and resin centers from that awesome ebay seller OP mentioned (buying ribbon is apparently addictive) as well as $20 of hardware from hair-hardware dot com.....tomorrow's mission is to buy a high-heat glue gun at AC Moore with my 50% off coupon....

Sure hope I can figure out how to make these things after all this

Otherwise I'm gonna kick myself!

Wish me luck guys....

 

[surfergirl602]

subbing!

thanks, OP! you rock! also, a big "thank you" to those who've posted pix and suggestions....

After finding this thread 2 days ago, I ordered $50 worth of grosgrain and resin centers from that awesome ebay seller OP mentioned (buying ribbon is apparently addictive) as well as $20 of hardware from hair-hardware dot com.....tomorrow's mission is to buy a high-heat glue gun at AC Moore with my 50% off coupon....

Sure hope I can figure out how to make these things after all this

Otherwise I'm gonna kick myself!

Wish me luck guys....

That seller is probably wondering why business is suddenly booming!!

 

[MRNsMommy]

subbing!

thanks, OP! you rock! also, a big "thank you" to those who've posted pix and suggestions....

After finding this thread 2 days ago, I ordered $50 worth of grosgrain and resin centers from that awesome ebay seller OP mentioned (buying ribbon is apparently addictive) as well as $20 of hardware from hair-hardware dot com.....tomorrow's mission is to buy a high-heat glue gun at AC Moore with my 50% off coupon....

Sure hope I can figure out how to make these things after all this

Otherwise I'm gonna kick myself!

Wish me luck guys....

Hah! If I can do it, anyone can! And it is VERY addictive!

 

[Tinka_Belle]

Good luck! Before you know it, you'll have bows in every shade, and every character you can think of!

Isn't that the truth? I read the tutorial at the beginning of this thread and now my DD has tons of matching bows. Everywhere she goes she gets tons of compliments. I even had to make a couple of bows for her friends.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

I too would like to see what the bottom side looks like, after the clip has been attached.

also when doing that 4 loop ribbon thing, with the thinner ribbon, layered....how do you hold it in place? do you use hot glue and layer top thin ribbon to bottom thin ribbon. then fold and adhere. ??

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

bump...anyone??

 

[Caitsmama]

Subbing.. i just read this entire thread while at work.. lol.. and i am so excited to go home and try to make a few bows! I have some great Disney ribbon that i bought on clearance YEARS ago, that is just sittin' in my craft room!

Question on Tu-tu's for adults... Any idea on measurements for an adult tutu? I am running the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon next year (did it this year too!) and think this would be fun to wear over my running capri's.. but don't know about size of tulle, waist etc.. as i haven't attempted to make any yet.

 

[disneybridetobe]

*snip*

Question on Tu-tu's for adults... Any idea on measurements for an adult tutu? I am running the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon next year (did it this year too!) and think this would be fun to wear over my running capri's.. but don't know about size of tulle, waist etc.. as i haven't attempted to make any yet.

I don't know about measurements, but I think that would look adorable!!