Hair bows have always been a cute accessory for little girls, but there’s much more to their story. From European royalty to 1940s love codes, hair bows have a surprising history. In this tutorial, we’ll share fun facts about their past and guide you through making a stylish, high-quality bow you can wear or gift.
A Quick History of the Hair Bow
Hair bows date all the way back to the 17th century. Both men and women wore them with wigs, and men often used bows to tie their long hair in the back. While the trend faded for men, women kept the look going through the 19th century. When the 1920s rolled around, short hair and beaded headbands took over.
But in the 1940s, bows made a powerful comeback—with hidden meanings. Girls wore them to signal their relationship status:
- Top of head: Single
- Back of head: Not interested
- Right side: Deeply in love
- Left side: Going steady
Let’s Make a DIY Hair Bow
Ready to craft your own? Whether it’s for a child or your own accessory collection, this easy project is a great way to personalize your style.
What You’ll Need
- Surebonder H-195F Detail Mini Hot Glue Gun
- Surebonder Fabric Glue Sticks
- Glitter canvas or any fabric you like
- Scissors
- Alligator clip
Step 1: Cut and Fold
Cut a strip of fabric the width you want your bow to be. For a small bow, use the shorter side of your fabric. Lay the strip flat, then fold each end toward the center. Hold one side in place while gluing the other down using your Surebonder glue gun. Then glue the first side into place so both ends meet in the middle.
Step 2: Trim and Accordion Fold
If the ends are uneven, trim them until they match. Then, fold the fabric like an accordion with the open edges folded toward the back. This gives you the classic bow shape.
Step 3: Secure the Center
Cut a thin strip of fabric to wrap around the center of your bow. After folding the bow, wrap this strip around it. Add a dab of hot glue at the back and press one end of the center strip down. Glue the other end and trim any extra fabric.
Step 4: Add the Bow Tails (Optional)
To add tails, place your bow on a piece of fabric and cut a strip slightly longer than your bow. Trim triangle shapes from the long sides. Then cut smaller inward-pointing triangles on the short sides to create pointed tips.
Fold the center of your tail fabric so the tips point downward. Use your Surebonder craft glue gun to attach the tail to the back of your bow.
Step 5: Add the Clip
Glue an alligator clip to the back of the bow. If you aren’t using tails, you can secure the clip while wrapping the center of the bow in Step 3.
Share Your Bow!
Have you tried the Surebonder detail glue gun from this tutorial? Tell us how you liked it. We’d love to hear your tips or see your bow creations.