How to make a super simple two-season wreath, summer, and fall

 

Make this two-season wreath with just a few supplies and two different Bowdabra bows.  Using four sunflowers and one pumpkin pick you can quickly change the bows in the center to reflect summer or fall.  All you need do is switch out one sunflower with a pumpkin pick and tie on the corresponding bow.  Easy peasy! 

 

In the summer wreath, I used a printed summer ribbon for the bow, and I made my loops on the bow a bit smaller than the fall Bow.  It is just a matter of whatever your preference on how many loops or how big they are.  

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So, let’s get started!

 

Materials:

 

Wreath form, grapevine, or similar wreath

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

Summer print wired ribbon 1 ½” wide

Fall print wired ribbon 1 ½” wide

Five sunflowers in different sizes, cut from a pick

One small pumpkin pick

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Scissors

 

First, create your simple wreath.  Insert four sunflowers along one side securing with hot glue. Wait until your bow is complete to put the last sunflower on the other side simple inserting it into the wreath without gluing for easy removal.

 

Make your bows

 

I will demonstrate the Fall bow, and please note that you create the summer bow in the same way. First, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 35” long.  You want it to be extra-long so that you can tie it in a bow to the wreath for easy removal. Fold the bow wire in half and lay in the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.  This will be used as a slip knot.

 

Next, from the printed ribbon cut a 26” piece.  This will be your tail.  Twist to make sure the right side is facing out and place in the Bowdabra.

 

Now cut six or eight pieces of printed ribbon 20-22 inches long. If you want your bow loops to be bigger cut the longer length. The pieces of ribbon you cut will determine how many loops your bow will have. (The summer bow had 8 loops and the fall bow has 6 loops)

 

Next, take one of your pieces of ribbon and twist to make sure the right side is facing up and lay it into the Bowdabra. This is when you can adjust the size of your loops.

Continue taking the ribbon pieces, twist, and insert into the Bowdabra. Make your loop on one side, then, reverse the loop on the other side. Keep going in this way till you have placed all your ribbon pieces. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.

 

To finish, insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Remove the bow turn to the back and tie a knot, tie another knot.

 

Dovetail all the tails. To dovetail fold in half and cut at an angle towards the fold.  Fluff and arrange all the loops and tails on your bow.  This is the reason why a wired ribbon is helpful.

 

Tie the bow with the excess wire into a bow for easy removal when it is time to go back to a summer wreath. Remove the single sunflower and replace it with a small pumpkin pick.  You now have a fall wreath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to make the cutest short stirrup horse show hair bows in minutes

 

If you have priced horse show hair bows recently you will know that they can be very costly.  Did you know, however, that will just a small amount of ribbon you can create your own short stirrup hair bows in minutes for much less? Embellish the hair bows with a small charm or alternately a ribbon knot added to the center of the bow. 

 

Materials:

 

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra hair bow tool and ruler

Ribbon of choice 1 ½”, 7/8” wide

Charm or bead

Alligator clip, French clip, or hair tie

Bowdabra bow wire

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Lighter to seal the ends of the ribbon

Horse show hair bows in minutes

Instructions:

 

First, cut an 18” piece of bow wire, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra. You will have a loop on one side and two wires on the other.

Next, cut a 15” piece of 7/8” wide ribbon. Fold the ends in half and cut at an angle to dovetail the ends. Use a lighter to lightly go over the ends to seal from fraying. (You may use clear nail polish if desired) Fold in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra guiding the tails downward.

Repeat the above step with another complementary color of ribbon for a second tail.  Dovetail the ends on this ribbon and insert it into the Bowdabra.

Make the main bow

Now, cut an 18 ½” piece of 1 ½” ribbon. (I prefer a wired ribbon for this bow since it can be arranged easier.) Seal the ends with the lighter. Fold in half to find the center and insert the right side down into the Bowdabra. Bring the right end over and insert the tail end into the Bowdabra.

 

Next, bring the other tail end over and under the first loop forming an X, and insert the end in the Bowdabra.

Push the bottom center into the Bowdabra, then push the top down into the Bowdabra as well.  You have made the Boutique style bow.

Scrunch everything down with the Bowdabra wand.

To finish, insert the two loose wires through the loop, and while the bow is still in Bowdabra pull tight. Remove from the Bowdabra, turn it to the back, and tie a knot. Adjust the bow and tails.

 

Using the wires from the back, bring the bottom wire back around to the front and insert a bead or charm through.  Bring the wires back to the back of the bow and tie a knot making sure the charm is centered on the front of the bow. You can alternately glue a ribbon knot to the center.

Using a hot glue gun attach an alligator clip or a French clip to the back.  If you would like to use a ponytail elastic, use the bow wire to tie it on.  Cut off any excess wires.

Repeat all the steps for a second hair bow and you will be all set for the show circuit!