Just Jen

Flag Bow Tutorial

This fun bow is easy to make and just in time for the 4th!

What you'll need:
1.5" ribbon in both blue/white polka dot and red/white striped ribbon
scissors
needle and sewing thread
hot glue gun
marking pen
hair clip
lighter or fray check

Step 1

Start by measuring and marking your ribbon. Cut 1 striped piece 5" long. Cut another striped piece 18.25" long. Mark it in 6" sections with a .25" section at the end. (Don't worry - the marks will all get covered.) Cut 1 polka dot piece 6.25" long. Mark it .25" from the end. Seal the ends of the ribbon with a lighter or fray check so they do not fray while you are working.

Step 2

Knot a length of thread and sew a running stitch along the edge of the striped ribbon. Loop the ribbon over to match up and sew along the marks you made. When you get to the end of the striped ribbon, overlap the .25" section of the stripe with the .25" section of the polka dot, lining up the marks,  and continue sewing the running stitch to the end. (Note: if your ribbon is only printed on one side, it is important that you loop it in a spiral pattern as pictured instead of zig-zagging it back and forth so that the printed side always ends up facing out.)

Step 3

Slide all the ribbon down the thread towards the knot so it gathers and forms 4 nice loops. Hold together with your fingers and use the leftover tail of thread to wrap tightly around the gathered ribbon, securing the loops in place. Tie off and snip the thread.

Step 4

Take the 5" section of the striped ribbon, fold in thirds, then knot loosely in the middle.

Step 5

Put a dab of hot glue on the back of the knot and attach it to the front of the bow, covering the threads. Make sure the polka dots are in the top left position.

Step 6

Turn the bow over so the back side is facing you. Fold up the bottom end of the knotted ribbon and secure with hot glue to the back of the bow. (You may need to trim the ends a little if they are too long.) Attach the hair clip to the top end of the knotted ribbon with the top side of the clip facing up.

Step 7

Fold the end of the ribbon over the clip and secure with glue.

Step 8

Fold over again and secure with glue for a nice finished look.

Step 9

Sit back and admire your work!

Skillshare Portrait Class

Have you discovered Skillshare yet? It is my latest obsession. So many great classes and so affordable! The last class that I completed was Start Drawing: Techniques for Pencil Portraits by Gabrielle DeCesaris, Portrait Artist. Pencil drawing has always been my favorite, but drawing people - especially faces - has always been intimidating. Gabrielle's class was packed with great info. By following the techniques she demonstrated in her videos, I was able to draw both my kiddos and...they actually recognized themselves. I'd call that a success!! :)

I started with some reference photos:

I drew my daughter first. I have always loved this pic of her. Such a pretty little subject, no? :) Her hair was my favorite part to draw with all those fun little flyaways.

  

Once I finished with Andie's, Jack asked if I would draw him too. I was having too much fun to be through, and who could turn down that sweet little face, anyway? :) The challenge with him was capturing the way he smiles with his eyes which lights up his whole face. That little smile brings me joy every single day. I'm not sure I would ever be able to fully reproduce it. I don't even think the camera does it justice. But I sure had fun trying. :)

I really loved this process, and though they aren't perfect, I am pretty happy with this first attempt and can't wait to get some more practice in. :)