Cosplay Hair Bow

Recently I've been seeing a bunch of hair bows based on characters from movies or comic books such as those pictured below from Hot Topic.

Right now I have plans for a series of 3 based on characters from the anime Fairy Tail. The first one is based on one of the main characters Lucy Heartfilia, who is a Celestial Wizard, meaning she uses gate keys to summon spirits for help. Below is a picture for reference.

Supplies:

Fabric or ribbon- I used fabric, about a quarter yard each of white and blue. (If you use ribbon probably about 1.5 yd of white and 1 of blue)
Matching thread
Barrette Clip
Split Ring or large jump ring
Key Charms (The hard part is to find something small enough to not be super heavy but large enough to not disappear into your hair when you wear it.)

Step 1: Cut fabric and sew into strips like ribbon. 

For the white I cut a piece 44 inches long by 3, then sewed the end and one side. Use the open end to turn the strip inside out then sew the other end closed. I pushed my scissors in the sewn end and gathered the whole strip up until I could pull it out of the un-sewn end. Then ironed the whole thing flat and smooth again.

For the blue I used 3 separate pieces. The main bow is 6 inches by 5 inches, the tail 9 by 2 inches, and a center piece 3 by 2. For the main bow and tail fold in half and sew 3 sides leaving an opening on one side to turn everything inside out. I also cut the ends of the tail into a point but that's optional. For the center fold in half and sew one side then turn inside out.

Step 2: Create White Bow

Use the white strip to make the base of the bow. Fold it into 3 loops, hiding the ends on the bottom side. Then stitch over the center to hold it in place.

Step 3: Layer the Various Pieces

You should have these parts- white bow, blue bow, tail, center and charms.

 Start by folding the tail in half, place it under the blue bow and hand sew the two parts together. I added a bit of a pleat as well.

Then layer that on top of the white bow and tack that together as well.

Step 4: Add Key Charms

Slide the key charms onto the ring and thread the center of the bow through the ring.

Step 5: Finish Bow

Wrap the center piece around the middle of the bow and hand sew it together on the back. 

I admit that my hand sewing is not very pretty but it will hold together and that the important part. No one will see the back once you're wearing it. At this point you should have a completely finished bow ready to put on your choice of barrette.

Step 7: Sew onto barrette

Sew the whole thing onto the barrette. I used regular sewing thread but I would recommend using a thin wire. I have some very thin jewelry wire that I was going to use but it wouldn't fit in the needle I have. But over time the metal edge of the barrette will cut through regular thread and the jewelry wire would be more durable for the long term. 

Again my sewing isn't great but at least I'm trying, right?

It is pretty tricky to get a picture of the back of your own head but this one turned out pretty well. Let me know what you think and stay turned for bows based on Natsu and Erza Scarlet.