How To Make A Tails Down Boutique Bow

Ever since I became a mama to a little girl, I have discovered I am a little bit of a bow fanatic! I love to make them, look at them, wish upon a star that someday my little lady will want to wear them again, and I think sometimes I may even dream about them! However, working for the most amazing ribbon company ever has helped with this obsession a little as well. I just can’t get enough of the fabulous ribbon here at The Ribbon Retreat! And today, I am so excited to introduce you to our next TOTT Hair Bow that I know you are already familiar with and probably all ready love, the Tails Down Boutique Bow!

But, for those of you not familiar with it or even what a TOTT Hair Bow is…I would be happy to explain. The TOTT Hair Bows are basically just a beeeeeautiful group of hair bows that have very, very specific instructions on how to create professional looking bows in no time! I decided to make each and every bow found in the above group so that you can not only find them on our website under Make Hair Bows, but right here on our blog as well….but guess what, you can also find them on our awesome YouTube Channel too! Having the instructions to these fabulous bows in 3 different locations makes for easy access for you! Wahoo! So, what do you say we get started on the super fun bow we call the Tails Down Boutique Bow?

Supplies needed for the Tails Down Boutique Bow:

The Ribbon Retreat Hair Bow Maker
Ribbon
-I used 1 1/2″ Dazzle Grosgrain Ribbon
Barrettes & Clips
Cutting Mat
Scissors
Hi-Temp Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Needle & Thread
Lighter (for sealing ribbon ends)

Before we get making this fun bow, let’s talk about some basic bow making rules or better yet…tips to help you achieve gorgeous and professional looking hair bows!

Hair Bow Making Tips
When making hair bows, it is best to use the right size of ribbon for the right size of hair bow. For example, using a 3/8” ribbon to make a 5” bow, may not work well.

The following is to give you a general idea of what size ribbon works best for what size bow.

Using The Hair Bow Maker

There are two lines on the Hair Bow Maker. The longer line is the center line. The second, shorter line is the ½” line. When you have the Hair Bow Maker in front of you, this line should be to the RIGHT of the center line. The first set of holes from the center of the bow maker will make a 2” bow. Move each dowel over one and you will have a 3” bow. Move each dowel over two and you will have a 4” bow, etc.

The bow maker will make bows over 6 inches in width. If you want to make a 2 ½”, 3 ½”, 4 ½”, or 5 ½” bow, then the dowel on the right needs to be moved ½” to the right. For example, if you want a 3 ½” bow, then place the left dowel in the 2nd hole and the right dowel in the 3rd hole. You would use the ½” line as the Center Point for this bow.

Ribbon Length Formula

This formula is a recommendation only. If you find that you don’t have enough, or too much ribbon, make adjustments to the numbers below.
(Width of Bow) x (# of Loops + 2.5) ***The extra 2.5 is for allowances.
Example: For a 4” four-loop bow, your formula would be: 4 x (4 + 2.5) = 26” of ribbon

Now that we have a couple of tips and our ribbon length figured out, let’s get started! This Tails Down Boutique Bow will be demonstrated on the 4” setting of the Hair Bow Maker using 1 1/2″ Dazzle Grosgrain Ribbon. Have a needle and thread ready (with a knot at the end of the thread).
*Please note that my right hand is never used/seen in the pictures below, because I am holding the camera with that hand so the wording in the instructions is sometimes a little different from what my left hand is doing in the pictures.

How To Make A Tails Down Boutique Bow

Step 1. Place the ribbon in front of the Hair Bow Maker with 3 to 5 inches (or more if you desire) of excess ribbon at the RIGHT. Notice how the ribbon is slightly at an angle.

Step 2. Now take the ribbon at the LEFT and place it BEHIND the two dowels.

Step 3. At this point, bring the ribbon in FRONT of the two dowels, angling it downwards as shown.

Step 4. Continue by taking the ribbon straight across the BACK of the two dowels.

Step 5. This is what it looks like if you turn your Hair Bow Maker around and look at the back.

Step 6. When you bring the ribbon around to the FRONT again, you’ll notice that the tail is in the way.

Step 7. Just simply bring the ribbon across the front and let the tail come forward as well.

Step 8. While holding the ribbon in place with your LEFT hand, take your RIGHT hand and reach BEHIND the bottom loop and bring the tail down and FORWARD. It will be IN FRONT of the RIGHT dowel.

Step 9. Now hold the ribbon in place with your LEFT hand in the center of the bow.

Step 10. Place your needle through the back center of the ribbon. Make sure you have the center point and then pull the thread all the way through until the knot stops at the back.

Step 11. Take the thread over the top center of the bow.

Step 12. Now take the thread all the way around and under the bottom of the bow, bringing it forward.

Step 13. With your LEFT hand thumb holding the TOP center of the ribbon, use your RIGHT hand to pull the thread tightly. You will be pulling the thread in a DOWNWARD motion. This will create a crease in the ribbon.

Step 14. Repeat with the bottom part of the ribbon.

Step 15. Remove the bow from the Hair Bow Maker and shape your loops. Continue to take the thread around the center of the ribbon, pulling tightly each time. Once there is no more “give” to the thread, take up a few stitches at the back of the bow & cut the thread.

Step 16. Trim the tails and seal the ends. You can either leave this as a simple Tails Down Boutique Bow by adding a knotted or flat center and a clip to the back–or embellish and enhance as desired.

All DONE!

Not only does this bow look remarkable in that red dazzle grosgrain with that cute little polka dot center, look how fun, bright and spunky this cute bow looks in neon green and pink for summer and spring! This fun bow looks adorable in any size, color or design of ribbon. The possibilities are truly endless with this cute bow! Create any look you desire with a simple switch in width and color or print of ribbon and you are set to have as many Tails Down Boutique Bows as you can imagine!

Making bows is a lot of fun, and they are so stinkin’ cute too! Here are a few more bow tutorials that are sure to have you fallin’ in love real fast!

The Ribbon Retreat has all of the ribbon (plus some) to create all of the fabulous bows above! They are fun to make and even more fun to look at attached to cute little pig tails on your little sweetheart’s head! Make to sure hop on over to take a peek at all of the ribbon we have for all of your bow making and other craft creating needs!

Happy Creating & Happy Hair Bows!