A Break = Hair Bows

My parents are taking Madeline and Colby to Utah tomorrow for my little sisters' graduation.  They will be gone until Monday!  I'm always excited for them to have experiences with my parents, but then I also get a little nervous at the same time.  Often when my mom takes the little girls during the day, when you'd think that I'd get a whole lot more accomplished, I find myself puttering around the house feeling a little down, not knowing exactly what to do without my "helpers".

So, Maddie and Colby are leaving and I panicked last night, worried that I hadn't banked enough quality time with them yet this week and I knew if I didn't, I'd be a wreck while they were gone.  So what did I do...I took the day off.  I wanted to be my pre-furniture refinishing chipper, "I'm so happy to see you" when they got home instead of my new, "I'm almost finished in the garage.  I need you to get your own snack, then I'll be to help you with your homework" self.

Instead, I stayed inside and caught up on hair bows.  In the process, I made a huge discovery.  I've tried so many times to make these bows, but mine always come out boxy and awkward....until today.

As I was staring at a picture of the bow I was wanting to recreate I realized what I'd been doing wrong.  Previously, I'd always used a straight piece of felt, but the key is to taper it!  Maybe you all already know this, if not, I'll share.

Cut one of these.

Fold it into a bow, squeeze to pleat the center and stitch.

Cut the bottom piece as shown below and trim the edges.

Use hot glue to attach the center strip.  Wrap around and secure.  Attach clip to the back.

And voila!

I made these for myself.

I'm crossing my fingers that these can avoid the school lost and found and the washing machine {via Zac's pants pockets} at least for a few weeks.