FREE Curled Bow & Headband Tutorial

My love/ fall back/ favorite seems to always be fabric flowers, BUT today I am straying from my norm. 

It all started when May Arts announced they would be holding a competition.  Competition, huh?  The materials... silk ribbon.  Mmmmm hmmmm....  I normally am so busy that I pass on such things but I just couldn't resist trying out that gorgeous. silk. ribbon.   

By it's very nature, silk lacks a bit of stability so I began by soaking it in fabric stiffener and hanging it to dry:

When it was dry, I took my 3 thinner strands and knotted them together then braided a 12" length.

After I knotted the end of my braid, I grabbed my hair straightening iron and on the lowest setting (silk burns easily) flattened the braid so it looked more finished:

I used the concept from the headband tutorial on this post to add an adjustable or stretchy band.

Ok! Let's make the curled bow!  NOTE: It is important to have treated and dried your ribbon with  fabric stiffener as your bow ends won't hold a curl if you don't.  

Cut 3 lengths of 1.5" wide ribbon: 9", 9" & 6".  Angle cut one of your 9" lengths as shown (reverse angles).

You may want to mark the center of each ribbon length, but being a free spirit I eyeballed it.  ;)

Fold one end of your 6" ribbon up and just past the center, then do the same with your other end.  Sew the center to form your bow:

Repeat this process with the 9" regular ribbon.  Without folding in the ends, sew your angle cut ribbon in the center.  This is what all 3 ribbons should look like:

Take your hair straightening iron on a low setting and curl your angle cut 9" ribbon ends.  I curled my ends opposite ways.  To curl ribbon (or hair for that matter) with a straightening iron simply put the ribbon between the iron plates, twist your iron in a curl and gently pull the ribbon through the plates:

When all 3 layers are finished, stack and sew them together.  I liked this skawompish :) way of layering them:

I finally glued my bow to my headband and threaded a fancy button on a ribbon and wrapped/ hot glued it around the center of my bow and headband.  

Here's another look at the finished headband:

WAHOOEY!  My adorable model put on her sweet side today.  Either that or I was more patient (ehem) after reading this post.  

Thanks for a fun challenge May Arts!!   We'll see how well I fair... or fall.  :)