As you all know, Annabel has a ton of gorgeous hair. I have no problem putting it in whatever random style she requests, but sometimes I’m not the one doing her hair. Mike and Gramma are great at brushing, but they like to keep things simple when it comes to styling. Annie prefers her hair off of her face and she doesn’t always want to wear a headband, so the task of taming her hair falls to clips. Sometimes she uses the colored bobby pins, but other times she needs a clip that is bigger and can hold a bit more hair. I started whipping out these ribbon clips for a few reasons: a) they are simple (you can make a pair in under five minutes), b) the texture of the ribbon adds grip, allowing the clip to securely hold lots of hair, and c) they are beautiful enough for fashionista Annabel.
You need a hot glue gun, scissors, alligator clips (mine are single-pronged, 1.75 inches long, you can get them at drug/hair supply stores or amazon
Without cutting your ribbon, start by putting hot glue on the back side of your ribbon. Some ribbon obviously has a back side, and on some kinds of ribbon there isn’t a “front” or “back.” It will be obvious which kind you have.
With one hand, open an alligator clip, and with the other, slide the ribbon between the prongs with the glue side facing UP. Press the ribbon against the top of the prong (be careful, since the glue is hot).
Close the clip, then put glue all along the top of the clip.
Carefully (because again, that glue is hot!) press the ribbon along the top of the clip.
Add glue to the “handle” of the clip, and press on the ribbon.
Flip over the clip and put glue on the back, where your fingers would squeeze.
Bring the ribbon around from the top and press it onto the glue.
Cut the excess ribbon.
At this point, if you want to glue on other decorative items, you can. I find lots of little flowers and bows and other things at JoAnn Fabric. Otherwise, you are done! You did it, congrats.
Annabel has dozens of clips like this. Every time I see a cute new spool of ribbon, I can’t help but make Annie a new set of clips. It’s an easy way to coordinate for holidays and special outfits.
Have fun!
Karen M says:
Thanks for the tips! Can’t wait to make some for my little girl!!
Steph says:
Thanks for another tip. We did your elastic headbands/ponytail holders with elastic from Joann’s. The girls love it. Thanks!
Annalisa says:
I used to make these for my daughter when she was a baby. Problem was, she didn’t like how they ‘pinched’ her hair, so my solution (based on some store bought barrettes she liked better) was to glue a orchestra of foam to the inside of the clips so the clip would still bind her hair but not pinch. Then I would glue ribbon over it.
Alas, now that she’s 3 and independent she won’t let me put barrettes on her, and she basically tolerates me brushing her hair, but unless even a pony tail is her idea, her hair is off limits otherwise.
Annalisa says:
Piece of foam.
Man, even for autocorrect, that was bizarre!
Claire says:
I was wondering what kind of weird new craft term that was… an orchestra of foam haha! I liked it!
Rachel says:
Those came out really well! To add grip to ours, I add a couple of lines of hot glue to the inside (top or bottom, doesn’t matter) and hold it open while it cools. The plastic grips the hair really well.
Paula says:
Those are neat! I think you may have a market for those Heather!
Camille says:
This tutorial came at a perfect time! I was able to crank out a set of 6 of these for an upcoming 2nd birthday party gift. Never realized they are so easy to make. PROTIP: Grosgrain ribbon totally grips the hair, and you can even wrap the whole clip for extra grip. Plus it looks a bit more finished. Thank you, Heather!