If you have a better ribbon color match for Janie and Jack’s Soda Fountain line, please post a comment with your thoughts!  Also, feel free to comment with a link to your M2M Soda Fountain hair bows or accessories incorporating these colors – I’d love to see your designs.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to find an adorable Bandanna Print Hanna Andersson dress on eBay that we both love for the holiday… whew!  After careful consideration, she requested a woven headband incorporating all the dress colors, and decorated with some pre-made red velvet flowers she found in my embellishment stash.  “Hmm…” I said, “I don’t usually use velvet in the summer”.  “Mom, they’re a perfect match!” And so they are (aside from being velvet).  So we embarked on the creation of a mutually acceptable, made-to-match, woven headband.

We settled on solid Navy and Capri ribbons, as they are the primary colors in the dress, along with a patriotic Red, White and Navy stripe – perfect for the holiday.  The completed weave came out pretty, though a little busy, so I tried to talk her out of the red flowers once again.  Since she would not hear of it, I decided to clump them all together rather than spread them out.  The end product is pretty cute and by some miracle – pleased both of us!  “It doesn’t even look like you made it!” she said, thrilled.  (This was supposed to be a compliment.)

Not sure how to make woven headbands?  I’m a do-it-yourselfer by nature and I typically figure out how to make things through trial-and-error, but woven headbands had me totally stumped.  I bought #1 Woven Headband Instructions from Devon at NoBowNoGo.com over a year ago, and was very pleased with her comprehensive and detailed directions as well as the many different weave patterns she outlines.  If you plan to make more than a couple, her instructions are well worth the modest price, and I highly recommend them.  I’ve been making these for my daughter, friends and customers for over a year and they are always a hit.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful Independence Day weekend!

7/5 UPDATE: I whipped up a pair of matching flops at the last minute.  What a fun outfit!

Want to try your hand at making my popular Posh style hair bow?  My free instructions are now available for download in a new e-book tutorial.  Everything you need to know to make this bow in four different sizes is included!  Just click on the image below to download the .pdf file.  This pretty, classic bow is so easy and versatile, you will be creating your own variations in no time!

While I’ve been making bows forever, this is my first attempt at writing instructions so please let me know what you think.  I plan to write several more and would love to incorporate your suggestions into future efforts, so don’t hold back!

click e-book image to download .pdf

For the bottom layer, cut 18” lengths of each:

• Turquoise ruffle ribbon 1.5” wide
• White grosgrain 7/8” wide
• S Blueberry grosgrain 5/8” wide

For the middle layer accents, cut 4” of each:

• O Lemongrass/White stripe grosgrain1.5” wide
• S Apple dot grosgrain 3/8” wide
• S Hot Pink grosgrain 7/8” wide (x2)
• Navy stripe grosgrain 3/8” wide (x2)
• O Navajo Turquoise grosgrain 5/8” wide
• S Apple grosgrain 5/8” wide

For the top layer, cut 17” of each:

• S Hot Pink grosgrain 5/8” wide
• O Pink Swiss dot grosgrain 5/8” wide

Tie the center knot with 3/8” Navajo Turquoise dot grosgrain ribbon.

Color help:
S = Schiff brand grosgrain ribbon
O = Offray brand grosgrain ribbon

Have fun and feel free to email me any questions/comments!

I visited my local consignment shop today, Second Time Around, and was sad to hear that not only are they no longer accepting or selling children’s items (the store was completely cleared of them!) but that the change may mean the end of their 26 yr old family business. She told me she’s had clients in her store literally cry upon hearing the news, not knowing how they are going to clothe their kids. I guess they’ll go to Walmart or Target? Hmmm… is it just me, or is it starting to seem like the big box stores have more to gain from this legislation than consumers?

I’m not giving up. Even if it is too late for me, it’s not too late for sanity. I’ll be sending out a new round of letters today and tomorrow to make sure my pen-pals know they’re responsible for shutting down my business. This batch includes:

• My Congressional Reps
• Waxman and his posse: Rush, Rockefeller and Pryor
• Nancy Nord
• Senator DeMint to ask that he keep pushing his reform bill (I still can’t believe I share any political common ground with Jim DeMint – hey you just never know)
• All 18 members of the board at Consumers Union to let them know I canceled my subscription to Consumer Reports because of their continued support of the obviously flawed CPSIA (Yeah, I know, they’ll be crushed. Interesting to note, however, that among the board members is none other than Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist. He seems like a good guy, and surely he can appreciate the value of the used goods market? Will Craigslist grow as mamas with loads of outgrown banned hazardous childrens clothing fear selling ‘out in the open’ on eBay?)

Cut 3″ each:

• S Cranberry 5/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon
• Off-White Fringy Ribbon 7/8″ wide
• S Pink 5/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon (x2)
• S Brown/Pink dot 3/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon (x2)

Cut 5″ each:

• Brown/Cranberry/Pink Argyle Print 3/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon
• O Lt Blue 5/8″ wide grosgrain ribbon
• Off-White Fringy Ribbon 7/8″ wide

I found “Fashion Fringy Ribbon” at Jo-Ann’s. You can use ribbon of your choice for the bow center, or add a snowflake charm as I did. (I was not able to find off-white or ivory snowflakes, so I paint mine to match before adding them!) Check out my medium-sized M2MG Winter Snowflake hair bow design!

S = Schiff brand ribbon color
O= Offray brand ribbon color

1) Cut 13.5″ each of: White 1.5″, Red/White stripe 7/8″, Red 1.5″
2) Cut 4.75″ each of: Red Plaid 1.5″, White/Green/Red dot 1.5″ and Red/White stripe 1.5″
3) Cut 4.5″ Green dot 5/8″ and Red dot 5/8″
4) Cut 5″ Green/White stripe 7/8″
5) Cut 20″ Red/White/Green stripe 5/8″
6) Tie center knot with White/Red lollipop 3/8″ ribbon

View a large image of this bow at Jen Lynn Designs.com

Cut 4″ lengths of: S Navy 1.5″, 5/8″, and O Antique White 7/8″
Cut two 9″ lengths of S Cranberry 1.5″
Cut a 13″ length of O Antique White 7/8″

Tie with S Navy for center and add the Gymboree anchor or heart charms from the snap clips from this adorable collection if you wish!

NOTE: “O” = Offray brand ribbon color, “S”= Schiff brand ribbon color

This Small bow measures 2.5″ wide when complete

1. Cut 3″ of: S Lt Blue 5/8″, O Lemongrass 5/8″, O Shocking Pink 5/8″, S Pink swiss dot 3/8″, S Apple dot 3/8″, S Mystic dot 3/8″
2. Cut 12″ of: S White frog print 7/8, Pink/white stripe 3/8
3. Tie center knot with O Shocking Pink

(S= Schiff brand ribbon, O= Offray brand ribbon)

BROWN
Plain and simple. Think: Girl Detective, Harvest Leaves, Equestrian Club, Mix n Match, Primrose, Cupcake Cutie, Mountain Cabin, etc. Brown has been very popular in recent years.

THE BLUES
Don’t be without classic Navy. Think: Petite Mademoiselle, Prep School, City Girl, Schoolgirl Rocks, Bon Voyage, Pretty in Plums, etc. Millennium Blue is a cool, soft blue, and already Gymboree’s choice for this year’s Petite Mademoiselle, as well as past lines: Snow Princess, Snow Blossom, and Petite Fleur. Also consider year-round favorites: Blue and Lt Blue.

ANTIQUE WHITE
You just can’t go wrong with Antique White. This is the color that most often matches the off-white/light ivory color of Gymboree’s tops. Occasionally it’s Ivory or Crème, but 99% of the time it’s Antique White. Pretty much every Fall and Winter line includes a shade of ivory, so I’m not going to list them all here! Off the top of my head, I can name a few exceptions including Harvest Leaves and Girl Detective, which matched Ivory.

CRANBERRY
Used again and again. Think: Glamour Kitty, Schoolgirl Rocks, Bon Voyage, Cherry Pie, Peruvian Doll, Mountain Cabin, etc. Red is a year-round favorite.

PRETTY IN PINKS
Love it or hate it, it’s hard to get around pink when you’re talking hair bows! You probably have several pink bows at home right now. Enough, already? Here are a few to consider. The only truly “winter” pink in my mind is Mauve (Girl Detective, Chelsea Girl). Azalia pops up now and again, as well (think Pretty in Plums). In addition, the following pinks are very popular year-round: Lt Pink (warmer), Rose Pink (cooler), Pink, Hot Pink, French Pink (warmer), Shocking Pink (cooler), Old Rose and Fantasy Rose. Check the color chart, and see which of those most of your outfits match. The bunch of them are all winners in my book.

BASIC BLACK
Depends on you. There’s usually a line or two each year that is built around black. Remember Tres Chic, Glamour Kitty, Imaginary Friend, plus the holiday lines: Holiday Classics, and Family Portrait? But, if you have a dark-haired child (see more about making it work for you below) or if you’re not really into playing up the black, you can always pick another color in the line to spotlight.

BANANA
The winter yellow. This is actually the most popular yellow used year-round, so it’s a great investment. (Only this Spring/Summer have we been seeing plenty of brighter yellows than in the recent past.) You will find Banana in lines like: Equestrian Club, Autumn Highlands and Royal Gardens. In winter, it’s most often paired with its deeper shade: Lemonade, and Lavender.

WINTER GREENS
Celadon and Spring Moss are the winter greens, as far as I’m concerned. Celadon is a widely used color year-round and makes a smart investment. You would be surprised how many lines it matches: Petite Mademoiselle, Classroom Kitty, Snow Princess, Primrose, Winter Princess, etc. Even though it may not be primary in most lines, it often coordinates. Spring Moss is a shade darker and is what you find in Girl Detective, Tyrolean Lure, etc.

PURPLES
Grosgrain ribbon does not come in a tremendous assortment of purples. Probably because purple is only just becoming a more popular apparel color the last few seasons. Just love it? You have it easy. The most popular shade is definitely Lavender. Then stock up on Tropic Lilac, Lt Orchid, and Festive Fuchsia. There is no good match for many of the deep, dark purples that have shown up in recent years, but I’m keeping my eye on new colors as they are released! (I also have much more than what is shown in the color chart, so just ask.)

A NOTE ABOUT NEUTRALS
Sometimes being economical can be well, wasteful. Huh? Consider that even though many, many popular lines include a shade of tan (think khakis) that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice for a bow. The thing about bows is that they’re supposed to be, you know, pretty – even on their own. So unless you really like tan, it’s probably not the best bow color. Exceptions? Your child’s hair color, of course, matters a great deal, and tan may look perfectly lovely nestled in dark or auburn locks. In general, though, pick the prettiest prominent color in the outfit to use as your bow color.

MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU (UH, HER)
Just because a color is popular, or prominent in her wardrobe, doesn’t necessarily mean it will make the best bows for your little one. Don’t forget to take into account the color of her pretty little locks! As much as I like them, brown, black and navy bows just get lost in my little brunette’s hair! Also consider whether you want her bows to make a statement (pick a bold color and/or style, and consider sizing-up) or blend in with her overall look (go for lower-profile bow styles, modest sizes and colors). Just not sure? Dabble! And remember that you can tame a wild outfit with simple solid-color bows, energize a simple outfit with over-the-top bows, or keep in line with the outfit’s overall personality by having couture bows made to match. Whatever you do, ask questions if they come up, and HAVE SOME FUN! Our girls will only be small for a short time, so enjoy the dresses and bows, along with the twirling and laughter that bring them to life!