For Dog Groomers: How to Make a Flat Bow

Dog groomers often seek out the cutest new bows to primp freshly trimmed and bathed pooches. A flat bow is a series of small folds made even more sweet and individual by attaching a variety of appliques, flowers or froufrou bits to the center. With a vivid imagination, you can create an endless array of colorful, personalized flat bows.

Things You'll Need

  • Ribbon
  • Small pushpins
  • Sewing needle
  • Thread
  • Hot glue
  • Glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Hair clip
  • Elastic band
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 12- to 14-inch length of ribbon.

    • 2

      Fold the ribbon in half in front of you on a work surface to create a narrow upside-down "V."

    • 3

      Mark the middle by placing two pushpins, side by side, through the midpoint.

    • 4

      Gather and fold up a 1-inch section of the ribbon on the left near the midpoint using your pointer finger and thumb. Remove and replace the left pin to secure the new fold in the middle of the V. You can make this and all remaining folds over or under, but stay consistent.

    • 5

      Fold another section of the ribbon on the left side a little shorter than 1-inch, and pin it in the middle with the left pin. Continue to add small folds this way until a small end of ribbon remains.

    • 6

      Repeat the steps with the ribbon on the right side.

    • 7

      Sew the middle of the folds to secure them in place, and remove the pins.

    • 8

      Cover the center stitching by gluing on a tiny decoration, such as a flower applique or a snippet of ribbon using hot glue and a glue gun.

    • 9

      Cut the ends straight across or on an angle for neatness, using scissors.

    • 10

      Glue the flat bow onto a hair clip or stitch it to an elastic band.