How to Make Small Bows for a Dog's Topknots

Dog bows can be made in a variety of styles to be worn by both male and female dogs in shows and in everyday circumstances. These bows are generally attached to the top or dome of the skull in a waterfall design where the hair flows freely up and around the top of the bow or as a topknot where the middle of the hair is teased through the center.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric marker
  • 1/4-inch elastic
  • Thread
  • Sewing needle
  • Fabric stiffener spray
  • Thread
  • Ribbon, 1/2 inch
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun
  • Glue stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure, mark and cut a 1/4-inch-wide piece of elastic into a 1/2-inch strip. Fold the elastic in half. Mark 1/8 inch from the fold. Thread the sewing needle. Sew both ends of the elastic together at the 1/8 inch mark. Trim off the excess elastic.

    • 2

      Measure, mark and cut a piece of 1/2-inch-wide ribbon into a 4-inch strip.

    • 3

      Fold the ribbon in half and mark the center point. Fold the right and left end of the ribbon down and to the back of the ribbon so that the ends of the ribbon pass the center point by 1/4 inch. Sew the ribbon together along the center of the ribbon to secure the ends in place.

    • 4

      Measure, mark and cut a 1/2-inch-wide piece of ribbon into a 1/2-inch strip. Wrap the ribbon around the center of the bow made in Step 3. Cut off excess ribbon so the edges of the ribbon touch on the horizontal center of the back of the bow.

    • 5

      Insert a glue stick into the hot glue gun. Allow the glue to warm to a proper operating temperature. Lay the piece of ribbon cut and trimmed in Step 4 vertically on a flat surface. Dab glue onto the center of the vertical ribbon. Center the bow horizontally over the ribbon and glue. Press the ribbon into place. Dab glue onto the center of the bow. Fold the ends of the vertical ribbon down so they touch on the horizontal center of the ribbon. Allow the glue to cool.

    • 6

      Dab glue onto the center of the elastic band made in Step 1. Press the bow onto the elastic.