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Make a Retro 80's Braided Ribbon Barrette

Who can forget the 80's with big hair and braided ribbon barrettes? This tutorial shows how easy it is to bring back the ribbon barrettes to pull back the 2000's hair.

Send your stylish kiddo off with one of the 80's hair staples: the braided barrette!  Old is new again with so many things and the braided ribbon barrette is no exception.

These ribbon barrettes are so cute and she should get compliments galore when she wears hers especially made by herself and her mom.Learn to make a Braided Ribbon Barrette fb

These are great for cheerleading outfits and can be made in any school colors!

Learn more about making a braided ribbon barrette by watching our video or keep reading this post.


PRINTABLE PDF TUTORIAL - If you would like an ad free printable version of this tutorial optimized for printing, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Make a Retro 80's Braided Ribbon Barrette #ad. For a small fee, you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this tutorial.
Keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.


COMPLETE VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE! The video below is a preview with no audio, to watch the whole video tutorial, click the link Make a Retro 80's Braided Ribbon Barrette to watch in Youtube.


Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

WHAT YOU NEED to make an 80'S RETRO BRAIDED RIBBON BARRETTE

Braided Ribbon Barrette 1 Supplies

INSTRUCTIONS to make a braided ribbon barrette

STEP 1: Choose and prepare the ribbon

Choose two complimentary colors of 1/8" ribbon.  For this tutorial, two oranges are used, but there are many color combinations that would look pretty together.

Use the scissors to cut each ribbon to 36" lengths.  Braided Ribbon Barrette 2 Cut Ribbons

Before braiding the ribbon onto the barrette, it is important to find the center of the ribbons.  Layer the ribbons together and fold them in half to find the center.Braided Ribbon Barrette 5 Fold Stacked Ribbons

This is where the braiding will begin.

step 2: Open the barrette and prepare to braid

The ribbon braided barrette is made on a two-bar barrette. Open the barrette and prepare to begin braiding the ribbon at the end with the hook/clasp.Braided Ribbon Barrette 3 Ribbons Barrette Scissors

There will be ribbons hanging down when the braiding is complete, and it is important that the ribbons hang down away from where the barrette clasps together.

step 3: begin braiding the ribbon barrette

Once the middle of the ribbons has been found in step 1, begin braiding at the end of the barrette by the hook. Hold the double bar barrette with the hook/clasp end facing up.Braided Ribbon Barrette 4 Hook End

Starting at the top, hold both ribbons layered on top of one another and place the barrette in the center of the ribbons.Braided Ribbon Barrette 6 Ribbons Behind Hook

Hold the center of the ribbons at the top to secure them while braiding.  In time, the braiding of the ribbons will hold the middle in place.

Braiding can start from the left or the right side. For this tutorial, the braiding begins on the left side of the ribbon barrette.

Take the ends of the ribbon on the left side of the barrette and feed the two ends through the center of the barrette without twisting the ribbons. Braided Ribbon Barrette 7 Left Ribbons Through

One colored ribbon should be on top of the other when pulled tightly. Now, both sets of ribbons are towards the right side of the barrette.Braided Ribbon Barrette 8 Pull Tight

Now take the ribbons on the top of the right side of the barrette and slide the ends of those ribbons through the center of the double bar barrette.  Braided Ribbon Barrette 9 Right Ribbons Through

As you pull the ribbons tight make sure that the same color of ribbon is on the top of the right side of the barrette as is on the top of the left side of the barrette.

Don't allow the ribbon to twist in the back or the ribbons will not be in the same color position on the braid. The ribbons should lie flat on both the front and the back of the ribbon barrette.Braided Ribbon Barrette 10 Pull Tight

The first braid is complete and the same ribbon is showing on the left and right side of the braid.

step 4: continue braiding the ribbon

Continue with the next set of braids. Take the ends of the ribbon that are on the left side of the barrette and place them through the center of the barrette as in step 2. Make sure that the ribbon is flat so the colors stay in the right order. The second colored ribbon will show now.Braided Ribbon Barrette 11 Left Ribbons

Pull the ribbon tightly and hold the ends in the right hand.

Braid the 2nd side by taking the pair of ribbons that are on top of the right side and slide them through the center towards the left side of the barrette.  Pull the ribbons tight.

There should now be a second set of braids on each side of the barrette and it should show the second color ribbon.Braided Ribbon Barrette 12 Right Ribbons

Continue to braid back and forth in the same way.  Braided Ribbon Barrette 13 Braiding Beginning

As you braid, push the ribbons up a bit to make sure all gaps are filled. Braided Ribbon Barrette 14 Push Up As Braiding

The ribbon on the underside is also flat and not twisted around.Braided Ribbon Barrette 15 Showing Underneath

Keep braiding until the braids are all of the way to the end of the barrette and fill the barrette.Braided Ribbon Barrette 16 Finished BraidingBraided Ribbon Barrette 17 Show Back

Step 5: tie off the ends of the braided ribbon barrette

To end the braiding, wrap the ribbons around the end of the barrette and to the back.  Braided Ribbon Barrette 18 Ready to Tie Knot

Turn the barrette so the top is face down.  Holding a set of ribbons in each hand, make a knot on the inside of the barrette.Braided Ribbon Barrette 19 Tie One Knot

To secure the ribbons, make a second knot so they do not come undone.Braided Ribbon Barrette 20 Tie Second Knot

The knots will be at the base of the barrette and hidden.  Hiding the knots gives it a more professional look.Braided Ribbon Barrette 21 Knots Hidden Under

Braided Ribbon Barrette 22 Front

Braided Ribbon Barrette 23 Back

The braided ribbon barrette is complete.

step 6: add beads (optional)

Adding beads to the ends of the ribbons are optional.  If you do not want to add beads, skip to step 7.

I have a box full of beads and selected a few with holes big enough to get the ribbon through.
Braided Ribbon Barrette 24 Bead Box

Choose four beads.  I have some stars and hearts that match the ribbon colors.Braided Ribbon Barrette 25 Beads

String a bead onto each of the ribbons and tie a knot so the bead does not fall off of the ribbon.Braided Ribbon Barrette 26 Thread BeadBraided Ribbon Barrette 27 Tie Multiple Knots

Tie a second or third knot as necessary to keep the bead from slipping off the ribbon.Braided Ribbon Barrette 28 Bead and knot

Braided Ribbon Barrette 29 Beads with Knots

STEP 7: Trim Ribbons

The final step is to cut the ends of the ribbon at an angle to help prevent the ribbons from fraying.Braided Ribbon Barrette 30 Cut Ribbon Diagonally

Braided Ribbon Barrette 31 Beads with Ribbons Cut

The retro 80's braided ribbon barrette is completed and ready to wear! Braided Ribbon Barrette 32 Finished

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on making braided ribbon barrettes. Make barrettes to coordinate with outfits, school colors, and team colors.

Have fun making them with your daughter and teach her how to make them on her own!  This would make a fun birthday party activity.

Scroll down for links to supplies for this project!

If you are interested in another DIY Ribbon Hair Bow tutorial, click the link!

Chris's Signature  

PRINTABLE PDF TUTORIAL - If you would like an ad free printable version of this tutorial optimized for printing, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Make a Retro 80's Braided Ribbon Barrette #ad. For a small fee, you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this tutorial.




QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this project, contact us through the YouTube Video comments or our Contact Us page. We respond to questions in e-mails and YouTube comments regularly.

Other braiding and weaving activities

Supporting Products and links: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate Statement for more information.

1/8" Satin Ribbon

1/8" Satin Ribbon #ad

Options for 1/8 inch satin ribbons Affiliate Link to Joann

Barrettes - Black

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Pkg of 24. No-slip grip stay tight barrettes. Affiliate Link to Amazon

Barrettes, Assorted Colors

Barrettes, Assorted Colors #ad

No-Slip Grip Open Center Stay Tight Barrettes. Manufacturer: Scunci Affiliate Link to Amazon

Double Bar Metal Barrettes For Braided Barrettes

Double Bar Metal Barrettes For Braided Barrettes #ad

HipGirl brand metal hair clips/barrettes.
Great for hair bows, hairbow clips many other projects. 50 pcs.
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Goody Barrettes

Goody Barrettes #ad

Multiple packs. Assorted colors. Affiliate Link to Amazon

Ribbon - Amazon

Ribbon - Amazon #ad

A large selection of ribbon - all ribbons, all colors, all sizes. Affiliate Link to Amazon






Make a Retro 80s Braided Ribbon Barrette pin

Learn to make a Braided Ribbon Barrette pin


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