Directions for Making Dog Hair Bows

Materials

• You can use many things to make a hair bow for a dog. The most obvious material is ribbon. There are thousands of different types and colors of ribbon which can all be used to make unique bows. Some types of ribbon are better suited to creating bows than others. Usually the stiffer forms of ribbons are best. These ribbons usually hold their shape the longest. Pieces of cloth can make unique bows, as can rope or string. Buttons, flowers and small decorative items can be glued or sewn to the bows to add more festivity or beauty to the bows. It is even possible to spray fabric glitter onto a piece of ribbon or cloth to achieve a more formal look.

Tools

• The main tools used to create dog hair bows are common items most people have in their homes already. Scissors are used to cut ribbons and cloth. Nontoxic glue can be used to attach details to the bows once completed. Elastic hair ties are usually used to hold the bows into place, although rubber bands can also be used. Some people use string to hold the bows onto the dog's hair. Ribbon edges tend to fray, so it is usually necessary to either sew the edges of ribbon down, or to seal them with glue or nail polish. It is also possible to cut the ends of the ribbon into two pieces to prevent the ribbon from unraveling. A glue gun can also be useful in the creation of dog hair bows. It can be used to hold decoration on the ribbon, or to hold stray pieces of ribbon in place.

Safety considerations

• When creating dog hair bows it is important to keep the safety of the dog in mind. Dogs can be experts in removing unwanted items from their bodies, so it is possible that a dog may remove the bow. It is important that the bows do not contain items that can be harmful to your dog if chewed on or swallowed. Always use nontoxic materials and never use decorations that are large enough for your dog to choke on.