Perfect Dog Bows (Tip from a Professional Dog Groomer)

My last job was as a Professional Dog Groomer at a large national pet store chain. While grooming it is pretty much a given that you will learn how to make Dog Bows (because buying  pre-made bows is just too expensive!). Since I am a "crafty" person, making bows was my favorite thing to do in my down time in the salon!  Here is a tutorial I created on how to make the perfect Dog Bow! I've tried many different methods but this way creates the best looking bows/easiest bows to put in a dogs hair. Enjoy!

Materials:

Small rubber bands. You can find them at places like Sally Beauty. You can also buy ones online specifically for dog bows (thats what these ones are). OR if you are a nerd like me you can use the rubber bands that go in your mouth when you have braces or a retainer haha

Plastic rhinestones

Something skinny and long, such as a crochet hook. You can also use a screwdriver, a pencil, a paintbrush, etc etc (you get the idea)

Two types of ribbon. I'm using an opaque fatter ribbon and a skinnier silk ribbon. 

Cut (2) pieces of the fatter ribbon 5 " and

Cut (2) pieces of the skinnier ribbon 4"

Tutorial:

First, place the rubber band on whatever you are using as your "something skinny" - In my case it is a crochet hook

Fold the ends of the smaller piece of ribbon back and together so you have something that looks like a loop. 

Fold it in half so the ends are overlapping in the middle. 

This is what you should have now

Repeat the same step for the larger ribbon. The most difficult part of this is you have to hold the smaller piece of ribbon with two fingers, while folding the larger ribbon at the same time. Or if you have a nice boyfriend or fiancé you can make them hold your smaller ribbon while you are folding the large ribbon

Place the smaller folded ribbon on top and in the middle of your larger folded ribbon

Place the two pieces of ribbon together on top of your crochet hook (or whatever you are using as a substitute). Make sure the ribbon is centered so the overlapping edges are directly over your crochet hook and the rubber band is below your pieces of ribbon. 

While holding your ribbon in place, pull the rubber band out and then over the tip of your crochet hook. 

Use the photos above and below as a reference so to what you should have now. 

*Note how the rubber band is "attached" to the crochet hook in two places

Pull the BOTTOM part of the rubber band UP and OVER the top of the crochet hook and let go so it is now above the top part of the rubber band. After you do this there will only be one loop of the rubber band that is hooked on the crochet hook now. 

Fold your bow in half and pull gently to tighten the rubber band. You are probably going to have to re-adjust the ribbon at this point making sure the rubber band is directly in the middle of the ribbon.

After you have pulled the ribbon to tighten the rubber band you can pull the bow off of the crochet hook. 

See how there is a perfect little loop on the back now for attaching it to your dogs hair? THIS is the reason why this method of bow making is the best! This loop ensures that the bow will stay straight and flat in your dogs hair! Other methods of just tying the rubber band around the ribbon (as you would put a rubber band in your hair for a pony tail) make the bow flip around when you are trying to put it in your dogs hair and make it MUCH more difficult and sloppy looking. 

This little loop is also perfect if your dog doesn't have long hair because you can just slide the loop over your dogs collar and use it as a super cute collar bow!

This is what your bow should look like now! Now all you have to do is hot glue a plastic rhinestone!

And there you go! The PERFECT Dog Bow! 

Have fun making your furry child some fancy hair accessories!