How to line an alligator clip

This is a two part tutorial – enjoy!

Part one – How to line an alligator clip

You will need a few items:
1. Single or double pronged alligator clip. (I personally prefer the double pronged – seems to grip hair a bit better)
2. Sharp scissors for cutting ribbon
3. 4 1/4 inch piece of ribbon (3/8 inch wide to fully line the clip)
4. Ruler
5. Hot glue gun
6. Lighter

How to line an alligator clip

Hair Bows

Step one – Heat seal the ends of your ribbon to prevent fraying. I use a regular cigarette lighter and just barely touch the ribbon ends. You’ll be able to tell when it is ready. It only takes a brief second to seal.

Step two- Clip the ribbon inside the alligator clip, placing ribbon end just after the prongs (don’t put all the way to the end or you’ll fall short in the end!)

Step three – Place glue up and down the front of the clip – don’t overdo it or it’ll get goopy)

Step four – Pull the ribbon tight over the clip and smooth down with finger

Step five – Flip the clip over

Step six – Place glue on the bottom of the ribbon sticking out

Step seven – Pinch the ribbon into the clasp of the clip, then smooth the rest of the ribbon over the back

Step eight – add any embellishments/bling for a stylish hair clip

Easy peasy!

Click here to check out some of my creations that stem from using this very simple technique at my store

Part 2 – How to line an alligator clip – Hair bow

For this additional piece, you will need a few more items:

1. Your lined alligator clip
2. One 3 1/2 inch piece of ribbon (3/8 inch wide for this example)
4. One 1 1/4 inch piece of coordinating ribbon

Step one – Take your 3 1/2 inch piece of ribbon and heat seal the ends as before.

Step two – Place a small dot of hot glue to one end.

Step three – Fold the ribbon into an “0″ – connecting one end to the other on top of the glue dot.

Step four – Place a small dot of glue INSIDE the “O” right on top of where you connected the two ends.

Step five – Making sure you are in the center, press down the top of the “O” to the glue. Making an “eight” of sorts.

Step six – Using your 1 1/4 inch ribbon, place a small dot of glue in the center and place the “bow”, top down, on the ribbon.

Step seven – Using small glue dots again, fold over the ends – essentially wrapping the small ribbon around the center of the bow.

Step eight – Take your lined alligator clip and cover the top with hot glue (don’t go all the way to the ends or some glue may show)

Step nine – Place the small bow on the alligator clip, press down firmly.

Click here to check out some of my creations that stem from using this very simple technique at my store