Basic Barrette Hair Bow

With all the holiday celebrations coming fancy barrettes for yourself and the young ladies in the family are a must. Make them from ribbon, lace or trims. If you have some of the fabric from your holiday dress you can even make them from the scrap to match. They also make a nice gift for limited budget exchanges.

Materials:

Lay the ribbon flat one color on top of the other. Cut a "V" notch in one end of each ribbon and place a safety pin to hold them together. Place the wire/stem through the hole in one end of the barrette and even the ends of the wire. (See Step 1) 

Place the ribbon with the end extending between the two legs of the wire, place one leg of the wire over the ribbon and wrap under the top piece of the barrette (See Step 2) leave it extending to the side pull up a loop of the ribbon (about a 2-3 inch loop) bring the second leg of wire over the ribbon and wrap under the top layer of the barrette cross the wires and twist one time. 

Pull up one more loop of ribbon and hold in place with one leg of the wire, repeat with the next loop and the second wire, cross under the barrette top and twist. Slide the twisted wire and ribbon toward the end where the wire is anchored. 

Continue wrapping the ribbon with the wire as above and pushing it toward the beginning of your wrapping until you have used the entire ribbon. Notch the ends of the ribbon same as the beginning. 

Bring the two end of the wire to the top and insert into the hole at the end of the barrette, separate the wire ends and wrap each back to the top from opposite sides of the barrette. 

Twist the ends of the wire together trim and tuck the ends back under the ribbon. 

A drop of glue can be added, if needed, at each end to hold the ribbon so it covers the wire and the metal parts of the barrette. 

Separate the first loops of ribbon pulling one to the left and the second color to the right. With the second loops reverse the order so the colors alternate the entire length of the barrette. 

Option: Use all one color or even several colors following the above instructions. You may also add charms, buttons and other embellishments. You can vary the width and length of the ribbon as long as your finished barrette gives a full fluffy look and the mechanics are covered.