Bow Cuff: a recycled craft

Last month, I shared this craft over on the Bowdabra Blog for Earth Day! But it’s so dang cute that it’s worth repeating on my blog, too. I’m using scraps and a piece from a cardboard tube to create this bow cuff that goes perfect with any little girl’s cutesy outfit! You can also double this as a kid’s craft by adding items such as markers, crayons, glue, plastic jewels, etc. for the child to attach to the cuff after you have hot glued the ribbon.

 

Supplies:

• Cardboard tube from the center of a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll
• Ribbon scraps
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• Scissors
• Mini Bowdabra
• Optional: Crayons, jewels, glue, and other kid’s crafting items if you would like to use this as a kid’s craft

Cut a long slit in the cardboard tube.

Cut a portion off of the tube. This will be the cuff. Make it the width that is appropriate for your little one.

 

At this point, you have a couple options. If using this to double as a kid’s craft, let the kids decorate or paint the cardboard tube. I chose to hot glue ribbon strips across the cardboard tube.

Pull out the Mini Bowdabra. Lay a strip of ribbon across the Mini Bowdabra.

Grab a piece of coordinating ribbon and place it in the Mini Bowdabra.

Fold the ribbon back through the Mini Bowdabra.

Repeat, taking the ribbon through the other side.

Use the scruncher tool to press down the ribbon.

Pull the ribbon length up over the bow and tie off, removing the bow from the Mini Bowdabra.

Secure the bow by knotting the center ribbon piece in the back of the bow. Hot glue the bow to the center of the cuff.

Just think of all the color options that you can make with this! Save your ribbon scraps from being trashed, and turn them into a kid’s bow cuff instead!