Easter Korker Bows

I have always loved korker bows, but haven't loved how crazy expensive they are in stores. I did an online search a few months ago and could not believe how easy they are to make! There are a variety of directions scattered about on the web, but I (mostly) used the instructions from eHow.com. Three things that I didn't do (that you should do):

1. Buy long enough wooden dowels - mine were the 12" precut, and while they work, it'd be better to use longer if possible.

2. Sand the dowels before using them. I learned the hard way that this really will make a difference when it comes time to slip the ribbon off.

3. Use wooden clothespins to secure the ribbon to the dowel. I couldn't find any when I was at JoAnn's, and didn't want to make a special trip, so I used straight pins instead. Definitely need to get some clothespins!

Here are the supplies you'll need. For the ribbon, I used 3/8" grosgrain printed with Easter eggs.


1/4" wooden dowels, straight pins, sharp scissors, ribbon

 1. Start by preheating the oven to 250, then line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Secure one end of the ribbon to one end of a wooden dowel. Wrap the ribbon down the length of the dowel, at a slight angle. When you reach the end, cut the ribbon and secure the end.
3. Continue unto you either fill all your dowels or run out of ribbon. (Haha!)

4. Place all the dowels on the lined baking sheet, and place in the preheated oven. Set the timer for 30 minutes.
5. After 30 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the ribbon to cool - it won't take long, I promise! Once the ribbon has cooled, remove it from the dowels.
6. Determine how long you want each strip of your bow to be. The tutorial recommended 5 "curls", but I cut them at 4 "curls" each, as it made for an even amount of cuts for the 12" dowel length.

7. After the curls are all cut, you need to heat seal the ends to avoid fraying. I used a torch lighter, which was a little tricky but went fairly quickly. Just a little bit of heat for barely a second does the trick.
8. Once all the ends have been sealed, pull out a needle and thread. Double the thread and tie a knot in the end. Then start stacking the curls on the needle, like this:

9. The amount of curls you add depends on the fullness you'd like the bow to be. Once you have the desired amount stacked, pull the needle the rest of the way through, then pass it back through one more time, then knot it.
10. To complete your bow, attach it to whatever type of hair clip or headband you'd like. I used hot glue and it worked wonderfully.

These are so cute, and so very easy to make. I can't wait for my daughter to be able to wear them on Easter this Sunday!

*I bought this adorable Easter egg print ribbon from Ribbon Revelry. She's located in Portland, OR and has some of the most adorable (and affordable!) ribbons on her site. I can't wait to place my next order and start making more hair accessories for all the little girls I know.