How to Make a DIY Ribbon Hair Bow for an 18-inch Doll

Wouldn't it be nice to make a beautiful DIY hair bow for an 18" doll? Making doll clothes and accessories is both rewarding and fun.

It is, of course, possible to purchase many items from stores for the dolls, but some things are just not being made and sold.

Take, for example, this DIY ribbon hair bow. This fun, loopy style is a craft fair item often made for young girls to wear. We have scaled down this bow so it nicely fits any 18-inch doll, including American Girl Dolls, Our Generation, Journey, Playtime by Emmie, My Life As, and New Adventures Styles dolls.

With patience and only a few supplies, you can make this lovely ribbon doll bow!

Learn more about making a DIY doll hair bow for an 18" doll by watching our video or keep reading this post.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a DIY ribbon hair bow

• 3 yards of coordinating ribbon - we used 18" lengths of 6 different ribbons
• 1-1/4" - 1-1/2" french hair barrette - Size can vary, just get a smaller less than 3" size.
• Thread
• Small felt circle
• Hot glue
• Needle
• Scissors
• Ruler

INSTRUCTIONS to make a doll hair bow

STEP 1: Cut the ribbon

Cut the six different ribbons into 18-inch lengths. Using the ruler and scissors, measure and cut the ribbons.

The lengths of the ribbon are then cut down to 3-inch pieces to be used in making the DIY hair bow. To speed up the process, layer the ribbons and cut more than one ribbon at a time.

Sort the ribbons into piles by design in and place them in an order that looks pleasing.

Step 2: thread the ribbon on the needle

Next, thread the needle with a doubled thread, making a large knot at the end. Take the first piece of ribbon and fold it in half.

Poke the needle through the center of the ribbon about 1/4" from the cut end.

Moving down the row of ribbons, take one ribbon from the next pile and fold it in half like the first ribbon. Thread the ribbon loop on the large needle.

Repeat this process one at a time, moving along the groups of ribbons. Continue until all the ribbon strips have been added to the needle.

Push the loops off the needle onto the thread, leaving a long tail at the end. This tail will be used to tie off the thread to finish the ribbon loops.

Step 3: Pass the thread through a second time

Take the needle and go back through each ribbon so the thread is doubled. Do not go through the first hole that was made, or the ribbon can fall off. Thread through next to the first hole.

Don't pull the thread tight; leave a long loop.

Step 4: Cut off the needle and tie off the loops

Cut off the needle, as it won't be needed anymore. There should be two long tails on either end of the ribbon loops.

Adjust the loops so they are all facing the same direction.  It is important that no loops are upside down. Tie the thread ends together to make a knot.

Tie the knot several times to make sure it is secure.

Cut off the extra thread near the knot.

Step 5: fluff the bow

Turn the bow right side up. Use your fingers to fluff the ribbon loops to make an attractive bow.  If any loops are stuck together, separate them.

Step 6: Glue the felt circle to the bow

Next, glue the felt circle onto the bow.

Place some hot glue onto the knot at the bottom of the bow. 

Put the felt circle over the glue. This will make the DIY ribbon hair bow look neat and will provide a place to glue the barrette.An adult should do the glueing as it is very hot and can cause burns to little fingers.

Step 7: Glue the barrette to the hair bow

Open the barrette so the back is ready to be glued on without getting glue on the portion that latches.  Put a bead of glue down the length of the barrette back.

Glue the barrette to the felt circle on the back of the DIY ribbon hair bow. Be sure to hold it in place until the glue dries.

Turn the bow over and fluff the ribbons once more to make sure the bow is fluffy and attractive.

The doll bow is complete! Use this 18" doll accessory to decorate the doll's hair. She will look beautiful!

Make a larger version for yourself, see the video by Hair Hardware.

Need a place to organize bows and barrettes? Take a look at the tutorial on creating a ribbon bow holder!

Other 18" doll accessories

• Miniature Crayon Box and Coloring Book 
• Doll Pencil Case
• Doll Slippers
• Smart Phone
• Doll Purse
• Doll Headband
• Doll Braided Headband