Big cheer bows can be made from ribbon or fabric pieces.
Complete your cheerleading uniform with an oversized hair bow. Perfect for that added touch during competition or for each game, a big cheer bow is often an essential part of the uniform. Many retailers, both in catalogs and online, sell hair bows that complement your cheerleading outfit, but some coaches and parents may not realize the simplicity of creating one. Save money by combining some simple craft supplies to make your own professional-looking cheerleading hair bows.
Instructions
1. Cut an 8-inch piece of 2-inch wide ribbon with a pair of scissors. Cut the ends at an angle and touch the flame of a candle lighter to the ends to slightly melt them and keep them from fraying.
2. Cut a 12-inch piece of the same 2-inch wide roll of ribbon and heat-seal the ends after cutting them on an angle. Lay the long piece of ribbon on your work surface and bend each end in to the middle, overlapping them slightly over a small dab of hot glue.
3. Secure all the layers of ribbon together with a straight pin. Pin the shorter straight piece of ribbon underneath the bow structure with the same pin. Secure it with a bead of hot glue, but keep the pin in place to ensure that the bow and ribbon do not become separated while the glue cools.
4. Cut a 4-inch piece of 3/4-inch wide ribbon in the same or complementing color, and tie a loose decorative knot in the center, leaving the ends intact. Heat-seal each end with the candle lighter.
5. Pinch the center of the bow structure and ribbon piece and carefully remove the pin. Dab a bead of hot glue onto the center of the bow structure and press the loosely made knot from the very short piece of thinner ribbon to the center. Hold them together until secured. Replace the pin into the center of all layers of the bow structure.
6. Position an elastic ponytail holder underneath the bow horizontally. Wrap the two free ends from the center loose knot around the back of the bow and over the ponytail holder. Hot glue the two ends together tightly over the elastic holder. Allow to dry, and remove the pin.
7. Check the bow for any visible dried glue and remove it. Check each piece for durability and reglue if necessary.
