Super Easy Cheer Bows

Note: Since my original post here got crazy-long, I decided to break these up into smaller, hopefully easier to read, posts.

The following are not full tutorials, mostly just resources (and the basic steps.) Sometimes it’s just hard knowing where to find all the stuff!

Also, be encouraged…if I can make these, so can you!

Simple Cheer Bow with Monogram + Polka Dot Bow

Resources: (Some of these are affiliate links. I will use any money this *might* generate to buy unicorn tears to sprinkle on the girls bows next year):

• 3″ Mint & Pink Grosgrain Ribbon: HairBowSupplies I got these 3″ ribbons from this seller on Etsy. Amazon didn’t have the colors I wanted. They were great about shipping. And the price wasn’t too terribly awful at $1.00 per yard. You can order in several different length increments (1yd, 2yds, 5yds, 10yds, etc.)
• 3″ Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon: OhMyGoshGoodies She has lots of specialty ribbon. You have to sort through the website, but it’s there.
• Zipties: Amazon –200 CableTies Combo Pack White & Black
• Center Jewel: Hobby Lobby (used a 40% off coupon) These came in a large bucket of like a million different sized sparkly jewels. Tons left over.
• 3/8″ Center Ribbon: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann all carry it. I think I got mine at Michaels on sale for $1.00 (hard to see, but it’s an irredescent sparkly ribbon)
• Heat Transfer Vinyl: I’ve ordered most of my HTV from http://heattransfervinyl4u.com and have been very happy with their shipping turn around and product. If you spend over $35, it’s free shipping, which I can always seem to meet. 🙂 If you don’t have a Silhouette or other vinyl cutter, you can also order heat vinyl transfers from Etsy or Cheer Bow Supply.
• Elastics: Walmart

1. Cut all ribbons to 28″
2. Cut out vinyl (not applicable for polka dot bow)
3. Use a template like this to put together your bow & ziptie it to check for vinyl placement. Cut the zip tie off to press vinyl in place.
4. Use template again to form bow and ziptie. Attach elastic and center 3/8″ ribbon.
5. Cut fishtail (see below)

FISHTAIL TIP: I found that unless I have a guide like a chevron stripe on the bottom to cut along, my cuts turn out pretty wonky with scissors. So this is what I do to keep them somewhat straight and similar.

You don’t have to do it like this, it’s just what I do since apparently I cut like I’m in kindergarten. (No offense to 5 year olds who have mad scissor skilz.)

I have a grid cutting mat that I use to fold over my ribbon and line up my edges.

Then I line up my straight edge diagonally.

Then slice it off with your fancy-dancy rotary cutter.

Ta-da!

I made both pink and mint green bows like this with the girls monograms and a simple jewel hot glued in the middle on top of the iridescent middle ribbon.

The Polka Dot bow was literally just ribbon, no extra embellishments. Super cute though. You can’t see it in the horrible picture below, but the polka dots are actually glittery. I wish they were more sparkly than they were, but oh, well.

Black Glitter Paw Print Cheer Bow

Resources: (Again, some affiliate links)

• 3″ Black Glitter Vinyl: Cheer Bow Supply
• Rhinestone Paw Print: Cheer Bow Supply
• Bling on a Roll: Cheer Bow Supply I didn’t use as much of this as I thought I needed. I think I’ve seen it at Michael’s as well.
• 3″ Black Grosgrain Ribbon: Amazon  – Since we were making several bows using black ribbon, I bought a 50yd spool, but they seem to go on backorder quite a bit. This 10yd spool of 3″ grosgrain ribbon is in stock right now. Just look around on Amazon and price it out per yard to fit your needs. (Note…this is pronounced “Grow-grain” I’ve heard several tutorials calling it “gross” or ”gros” grain. Not being snobbish – just thought I’d let you know if you needed to ask someone in a store for it.) You can also get this at Cheer Bow Supply, I just found it cheaper on Amazon.
• Zipties: Amazon –200 CableTies Combo Pack White & Black
• Black 3/8″ Center Ribbon: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann all carry it. I think I got mine at Michaels on sale for $1.00
• Heat Transfer Vinyl: I’ve ordered most of my HTV from http://heattransfervinyl4u.com and have been very happy with their shipping turn around and product. If you spend over $35, it’s free shipping, which I can always seem to meet. 🙂 If you don’t have a Silhouette or other vinyl cutter, you can also order heat vinyl transfers from Etsy or Cheer Bow Supply.
• Elastics: Walmart

1. Cut all ribbon and glitter vinyl to 28″
2. Press vinyl on ribbon (similar to Purple Glitter Cheer Bow)
3. Press on chevron vinyl cut outs (digital cut file downloaded from the Silhouette Design Store).
4. Follow the directions with the rhinestone embellishment to press/iron onto the now glitter ribbon. Cheer Bow Supply was very fast in their email response when I asked them a couple of questions about pressing this on.
5. Cut the fishtails and carefully heat-seal with a lighter.

Triple Layer Cheer Bow

Our Varsity cheerleaders decided they wanted a game day bow that was a little more “collegiate” and a little less crazy-over-the-top-bigger-than-Texas, cheer bow. I think they ended up with a good combination. A little sparkle, but still simple.

Resources: (Probably the same affiliate links)

• 1.5″ Green Glitter Vinyl: Cheer Bow Supply
• 2.25″ White Grosgrain Ribbon: I couldn’t find what I needed in stock on Amazon, so I bought this at Cheer Bow Supply as well
• 3″ Black Grosgrain Ribbon: Amazon  – Since we were making several bows using black ribbon, I bought a 50yd spool, but they seem to go on backorder quite a bit. This 10yd spool of 3″ grosgrain ribbon is in stock right now. Just look around on Amazon and price it out per yard to fit your needs. (Note…this is pronounced “Grow-grain” I’ve heard several tutorials calling it “gross” or ”gros” grain. Not being snobbish – just thought I’d let you know if you needed to ask someone in a store for it.) You can also get this at Cheer Bow Supply, I just found it cheaper on Amazon.
• Wonder-Under: Walmart – Fusible webbing to be able to “glue” your spandex fabric front to your ribbon back. I paid $1.66/yd at the time
• Zipties: Amazon –200 CableTies Combo Pack White & Black
• Black 3/8″ Center Ribbon: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann all carry it. I think I got mine at Michaels on sale for $1.00
• Elastics: Walmart

1. Cut all ribbons to 28″ length
2. Iron/press the black ribbon to the white ribbon using Wonder Under, following the directions that come with the fuseable web. (Similar to how I fused the spandex to the black backer ribbon on the Green Spandex Cheer Bow.)
3. Then press on the top glitter vinyl (according to the instructions) like I did on the Purple Glitter Bow I made.
4. Cut the fishtails and carefully heat seal the cut edges with a lighter.

I promise, these are so easy to make once you get started.

Stay calm, and cheer on!