Here's the latest that can be completely customizable in ANY color for the "mouse ears" season!
MORE BOWS COMING. ANY DESIGN CAN EITHER BE MADE ON A SHIRT OR FOR A BOW LOOP/TAIL
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Design Options - Feb - May
Design Options!
Here's the latest that can be completely customizable in ANY color for the "mouse ears" season!
Here's the latest that can be completely customizable in ANY color for the "mouse ears" season!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Why is that BOW twenty dollars?
Many freelance bow makers have all heard this at least once in their small business career.
"I saw tons of bows online for $5.00!"
OR -
the ever popular "I'm sure I can make that myself, why are they so expensive?"
Bow makers get all kind of comments and questions about bows.
Cheerleading bows to be specific.
Beside the "How do you DO that" question, some of the most common questions are usually about pricing and who makes it cheaper, faster and with the best quality.
First, I'd like to address is the $5.00 bow that EVERYONE (literally everyone I have met who is a new parent in the cheerleading world) asks about.
Here's the bow most people like to refer too. It comes from Omni cheer.
Add in some shipping and they are a bit more, but you get the idea.
These bows are mass produced overseas and usually most used for recreational teams, mini camps and sometimes school cheer / budget friendly teams.
Now, that's great if you are ok with that level of quality that comes with that price.
But, what most all star gyms and competitive school teams use are somewhat of a step up from those types of bows.
If you are looking for a bow that carries the same quality as your custom uniforms, then you are talking about the type of cheer bow that is hand made.
I understand wanting a similar look for a good price, but to have a bow created from start to finish, for your team or school takes a lot of work!
Especially for a custom job.
Yes, it's a job and yes, it's customized.
Custom meaning designed after your team's fabric, colors and logos.
So - you want to know what all goes into that bow you saw online for $20.00? Or maybe you even want to make them yourself?
Well, I'm here to tell you all the details of the work that goes into each one!
As a semi professional (I don't own all the equipment nor do I plan to at the moment) bow maker, with years of experience now, I can somewhat brag that I do make my bows from start to finish. I also make my bows by hand (and computer!) without the use of any pre bought templates or pre made materials.
What I'm going to do is explain the complete process that I use. Me personally.
Many bow makers who have experimented over the years all have some of their own techniques.
Keep in mind that this is NOT a complete tutorial. It's more of a step by step to explain my time.
I won't go into too much details on the process of layering, design, and folding techniques of the bow. Those are all skills that come with getting well seasoned in bow making and experimenting.
I will be listing my steps, a few processes as well as what machines I use to explain why these bows cost what they do.
OK - so, Let's get started!
1 -
First things first - I get an order.
Let's say the order comes from a cheer coach for an All Star Gym or a High School.
Me personally - I specialize in "custom bows" and a few "stock bows". People come to me looking for either an original bow made just for their team, or a version of a custom or stock bow I have already made in the past.
When I get asked for a team bow, 9 times out of 10 it's a custom order unless the coach already has a bow idea in mind.
For custom orders I try to match fabrics and colors used in the uniform.
I will usually try to get a good close up picture of the uniform, or see it in person. Some even send me fabric samples.
*Cost / TIME 1 - These are check points as for how I equate my time into my costs
2-
Once I talk with the coach and get an idea of what they are looking for, I design a few mock ups in my software.
This could take a few hours depending on the design. Again, keep in mind this is for custom work.
*Cost / TIME 2
EX:
3-
After settling on a design, I get to work planning the materials as well as resizing any designs that will be cut and applied to the bow
*Cost/TIME 3
My supplies and equipment
Spandex fabric by the yard
3 inch grosgrain ribbon
Heat n Bond
Heat transfer vinyl (glitters and flat)
Rhinestones
Rhinestone template material and brushes
Rhinestone work space and tray
Transfer tape
Hair ties
Zip ties
Plotting machine
Heat Press
Soldering iron
These are all items I have already purchased upfront. I will list a few of my favorite links at the end of the blog.
4-
After planning my materials, I begin the actual bow.
I make one first as an example and then show it to the customer.
*Cost / TIME 4,5,6,7,8
Below will be the steps I take in making the actual bow.
The Ribbon
I buy ribbon online. 3 inches wide, in spools anywhere from 50 to 100 yards. Yes, it's cheaper that way, but don't let that be a factor in thinking "Why is that bow expensive? Ribbon was only $4.65 for 5 yards You can get 5 bows out of that!"
It's just the beginning.
Fabric
On top of that ribbon is usually a layer of fabric.
From spandex to sparkle - whatever floats your boat, fabric is used in three inch strips over that ribbon.
You want glitter? Here's where the cost starts to come into play.
Heat n Bond / Wonder Under
Making the fabric stick to the ribbon is yet another cost and a time consuming adventure mostly done strip by strip.
For my bows, I use heat n bond or wonder under depending on the weight of fabric.
Knowing your fabrics is also a skill. You need to know what works and what won't fray or tear easily. What makes a good firm bow, but not too stiff.
You also will learn by trial and error.
A good example is the sequin fad.
YIKES - I'm sure most people figured out quickly that sequin bows tear your hair
Anyways - I iron on (by hand) the HnB adhesive to the whole yard of fabric and then I map out 3 in strips (or even designs like a swoosh tic tok or chevron) and hand cut each one. There is no machine to do this.
An order of 80+ bows is me cutting, by hand, 80 strips of fabric.
Now that's love folks! <3
This not only takes time, but if you are keeping track, you are now buying: ribbon, fabric, and heat n bonding material, drawing shapes by hand and cutting strips.
Next is taking that bonded fabric and pressing it onto the ribbon.
After bonding the fabric to the ribbon itself, you now have the base for a good bow.
YEA!
After that point is where things get tricky.
Some people are adding on rhinestones, lettering and even images onto these bows.
To do that you have to:
- either be extremely handy with an exacto knife
- BUY images precut by people who own cutting equipment or even dye sublimination printers.
- OR Cut them yourself after designing or uploading them into your software for a plotting machine.
*Side note - I do not currently work in Dye Sublimination, so that is not discussed here.
I'm not sure of the cost of pre mades because I make my own and do not use anything pre made in that area.
To me, it's sort of taboo. If you are serious about making bows, you will invest in the complete process as designing and understanding it all is part of the creativity and skill.
Glitter Lettering / Team Logos
Let's look at a bow with fabric that has some glittery letters or a team name/logo on it or even a little line design.
Making the glittery images is a process that includes time and supplies.
Equipment - I happen to use a silhouette cameo right now which ran me about $270.00 and another $30 dollars for the software in which I design.
I am slowly outgrowing this machine as it's not for heavy use. A stand alone plotting machine can be in the $1000s depending on brand.
The glitter I use is HTV (heat transfer vinyl) and I purchase it online. Tax, S&H and all that fun. Links at the end of the blog.
After you design whatever it is you are doing, like a team logo, or a name, it's time to load up your glitter, and have your machine cut it.
That process involves knowing a design program, knowing how to cut it and then the fun part - WEEDING your designs!
Weeding a design takes a small bit of skill, but it is time consuming.
So for every letter or design you see, someone has picked out the negative space by hand with a straight pin after pulling off the main excess glitter.
Sometimes I enlist my children to help me weed. :)
Now - I have already mentioned that some people buy pre made glitter text, shapes and designs. While they may not have done the work themselves, they have paid for someone else to do it, so therefore, that cost is also part of the bow cost.
Rhinestones
Stone work is another element I use in my bows, so here we go with another process!
Rhinestones added onto bows are mostly done with templates.
There are bows out there that are hand stoned and they are worth every penny! So when you see someone offering a bow for $45 and up for a hand placed stone, a LOT of work has gone into that!
Check out Bows of London on instagram for some beautiful pieces of bow art.
Ok - Rhinestone templates and designing
For my designs, I make all of my own templates in my design program.
This requires sometimes several hours or even days (Yes, I have worked a design for DAYS) but it is worth it in the end because once I cut a template out I can then use it over and over again.
The process is actually quite fun (for me) and I do enjoy it.
Once a design is done and sized correctly, I send it to my machine for cutting.
The machine cuts tiny holes into a sort of fuzzy sticky backed material called "Sticky Flock".
Here is a picture of a design I created on the SIL DE program:
Now - When you ask why a bow costs SO much, you now know the work behind it!
I also wrap my centers ( 3/8th in ribbon with spandex and stones) and pin with a large needle - then solder the ribbon / spandex together for a sealed bond - again, no glue. Glue weighs down a bow, and the heavier the bow, the more risk it's going to fly off when tumbling, especially if it already has stone work on it!
"I saw tons of bows online for $5.00!"
OR -
the ever popular "I'm sure I can make that myself, why are they so expensive?"
Bow makers get all kind of comments and questions about bows.
Cheerleading bows to be specific.
Beside the "How do you DO that" question, some of the most common questions are usually about pricing and who makes it cheaper, faster and with the best quality.
First, I'd like to address is the $5.00 bow that EVERYONE (literally everyone I have met who is a new parent in the cheerleading world) asks about.
Here's the bow most people like to refer too. It comes from Omni cheer.
And yes, they are around $5.00
These bows are mass produced overseas and usually most used for recreational teams, mini camps and sometimes school cheer / budget friendly teams.
Now, that's great if you are ok with that level of quality that comes with that price.
But, what most all star gyms and competitive school teams use are somewhat of a step up from those types of bows.
If you are looking for a bow that carries the same quality as your custom uniforms, then you are talking about the type of cheer bow that is hand made.
I understand wanting a similar look for a good price, but to have a bow created from start to finish, for your team or school takes a lot of work!
Especially for a custom job.
Yes, it's a job and yes, it's customized.
Custom meaning designed after your team's fabric, colors and logos.
So - you want to know what all goes into that bow you saw online for $20.00? Or maybe you even want to make them yourself?
Well, I'm here to tell you all the details of the work that goes into each one!
As a semi professional (I don't own all the equipment nor do I plan to at the moment) bow maker, with years of experience now, I can somewhat brag that I do make my bows from start to finish. I also make my bows by hand (and computer!) without the use of any pre bought templates or pre made materials.
What I'm going to do is explain the complete process that I use. Me personally.
Many bow makers who have experimented over the years all have some of their own techniques.
Keep in mind that this is NOT a complete tutorial. It's more of a step by step to explain my time.
I won't go into too much details on the process of layering, design, and folding techniques of the bow. Those are all skills that come with getting well seasoned in bow making and experimenting.
I will be listing my steps, a few processes as well as what machines I use to explain why these bows cost what they do.
OK - so, Let's get started!
1 -
First things first - I get an order.
Let's say the order comes from a cheer coach for an All Star Gym or a High School.
Me personally - I specialize in "custom bows" and a few "stock bows". People come to me looking for either an original bow made just for their team, or a version of a custom or stock bow I have already made in the past.
When I get asked for a team bow, 9 times out of 10 it's a custom order unless the coach already has a bow idea in mind.
For custom orders I try to match fabrics and colors used in the uniform.
I will usually try to get a good close up picture of the uniform, or see it in person. Some even send me fabric samples.
*Cost / TIME 1 - These are check points as for how I equate my time into my costs
2-
Once I talk with the coach and get an idea of what they are looking for, I design a few mock ups in my software.
This could take a few hours depending on the design. Again, keep in mind this is for custom work.
*Cost / TIME 2
EX:
3-
After settling on a design, I get to work planning the materials as well as resizing any designs that will be cut and applied to the bow
*Cost/TIME 3
My supplies and equipment
Spandex fabric by the yard
3 inch grosgrain ribbon
Heat n Bond
Heat transfer vinyl (glitters and flat)
Rhinestones
Rhinestone template material and brushes
Rhinestone work space and tray
Transfer tape
Hair ties
Zip ties
Plotting machine
Heat Press
Soldering iron
These are all items I have already purchased upfront. I will list a few of my favorite links at the end of the blog.
4-
After planning my materials, I begin the actual bow.
I make one first as an example and then show it to the customer.
*Cost / TIME 4,5,6,7,8
Below will be the steps I take in making the actual bow.
The Ribbon
I buy ribbon online. 3 inches wide, in spools anywhere from 50 to 100 yards. Yes, it's cheaper that way, but don't let that be a factor in thinking "Why is that bow expensive? Ribbon was only $4.65 for 5 yards You can get 5 bows out of that!"
It's just the beginning.
Fabric
On top of that ribbon is usually a layer of fabric.
From spandex to sparkle - whatever floats your boat, fabric is used in three inch strips over that ribbon.
You want glitter? Here's where the cost starts to come into play.
Some speciality fabric can cost up to $40.00 per yard. (now see where this cost is coming in?) We also pay tax and S&H for those of us who work in the home and do not have actual businesses.
Heat n Bond / Wonder Under
Making the fabric stick to the ribbon is yet another cost and a time consuming adventure mostly done strip by strip.
For my bows, I use heat n bond or wonder under depending on the weight of fabric.
Knowing your fabrics is also a skill. You need to know what works and what won't fray or tear easily. What makes a good firm bow, but not too stiff.
You also will learn by trial and error.
A good example is the sequin fad.
YIKES - I'm sure most people figured out quickly that sequin bows tear your hair
Anyways - I iron on (by hand) the HnB adhesive to the whole yard of fabric and then I map out 3 in strips (or even designs like a swoosh tic tok or chevron) and hand cut each one. There is no machine to do this.
An order of 80+ bows is me cutting, by hand, 80 strips of fabric.
Now that's love folks! <3
This not only takes time, but if you are keeping track, you are now buying: ribbon, fabric, and heat n bonding material, drawing shapes by hand and cutting strips.
Next is taking that bonded fabric and pressing it onto the ribbon.
After bonding the fabric to the ribbon itself, you now have the base for a good bow.
YEA!
After that point is where things get tricky.
Some people are adding on rhinestones, lettering and even images onto these bows.
To do that you have to:
- either be extremely handy with an exacto knife
- BUY images precut by people who own cutting equipment or even dye sublimination printers.
- OR Cut them yourself after designing or uploading them into your software for a plotting machine.
*Side note - I do not currently work in Dye Sublimination, so that is not discussed here.
I'm not sure of the cost of pre mades because I make my own and do not use anything pre made in that area.
To me, it's sort of taboo. If you are serious about making bows, you will invest in the complete process as designing and understanding it all is part of the creativity and skill.
Glitter Lettering / Team Logos
Let's look at a bow with fabric that has some glittery letters or a team name/logo on it or even a little line design.
Making the glittery images is a process that includes time and supplies.
Equipment - I happen to use a silhouette cameo right now which ran me about $270.00 and another $30 dollars for the software in which I design.
I am slowly outgrowing this machine as it's not for heavy use. A stand alone plotting machine can be in the $1000s depending on brand.
The glitter I use is HTV (heat transfer vinyl) and I purchase it online. Tax, S&H and all that fun. Links at the end of the blog.
After you design whatever it is you are doing, like a team logo, or a name, it's time to load up your glitter, and have your machine cut it.
That process involves knowing a design program, knowing how to cut it and then the fun part - WEEDING your designs!
Weeding a design takes a small bit of skill, but it is time consuming.
So for every letter or design you see, someone has picked out the negative space by hand with a straight pin after pulling off the main excess glitter.
Sometimes I enlist my children to help me weed. :)
Now - I have already mentioned that some people buy pre made glitter text, shapes and designs. While they may not have done the work themselves, they have paid for someone else to do it, so therefore, that cost is also part of the bow cost.
Rhinestones
Stone work is another element I use in my bows, so here we go with another process!
Rhinestones added onto bows are mostly done with templates.
There are bows out there that are hand stoned and they are worth every penny! So when you see someone offering a bow for $45 and up for a hand placed stone, a LOT of work has gone into that!
Check out Bows of London on instagram for some beautiful pieces of bow art.
Ok - Rhinestone templates and designing
For my designs, I make all of my own templates in my design program.
This requires sometimes several hours or even days (Yes, I have worked a design for DAYS) but it is worth it in the end because once I cut a template out I can then use it over and over again.
The process is actually quite fun (for me) and I do enjoy it.
Once a design is done and sized correctly, I send it to my machine for cutting.
The machine cuts tiny holes into a sort of fuzzy sticky backed material called "Sticky Flock".
Here is a picture of a design I created on the SIL DE program:
I will admit that these three designs alone took me almost a week or more to perfect. But again, so worth it once it's cut. If I can't create something line by line, I will hand place each dot.
Once it's cut, the templates are laid out onto a work space (another small expense) where I brush the rhinestones into each design and then transfer the design over to my bow.
Each design you see it is only 1/2 of a bow.
The smaller ones are tail designs.
So, for the large diamond pattern, that is 1/2 of the bow and must be brushed out, transferred and pressed twice to make just one bow.
This bow is Ribbon, Black spandex, and two stone templates.
Imagine an order of 80+ of that!
So here we have another large cost - Stones, template material, transfer tape, rhinestone tray and work space and TIME.
Getting your designs onto that bow!
Once you have all your designs cut out of glitter (HTV) and or stones onto transfer tape, you are then pressing them onto your fabric covered ribbon.
That process is something I had had to perfect over time.
Loads of trial and error for sure, but once it comes together, you will see some amazing results!
Next up is folding your bows.
Folding the bow
This one is pretty simple, each bow is hand folded, zip tied, clipped and sealed with a soldering iron then banded (the decorative band around the zip tie and pony tail holder)
Some people add in a ribbon to tie the bow into the hair, I however do not do this step)
Then finishing it off! The Tails!
Tails
I hand cut my tails with a soldering tool and a metal edge. I do not pre cut with scissors. They come out crisp and clean as well as each layer is sealed together. I prefer a 1in V cut as opposed to a larger 1.5 in cut.
Well - there you have it!
The process of just the bow itself!
Next is the finalization of the order.
5-
After I make one example bow, I send the bow or bow picture to the customer for a final check.
Once it's a go, I begin the mass production of the rest of the order.
6-
Packing, delivery and shipping.
For team orders outside my area I ship, so that will involve boxes and for me, driving to a post office and sending them out. This is an added cost to the bow order.
For local orders, I deliver to either their gym or school
Personally, I love local orders!
That's about it!
My go to list for supplies:
Cheap glitter and regular HTV - https://www.heattransfervinyl4u.com/
*Rhinestones and transfer tape as well as HTV, plotters AND heat presses- http://www.specialty-graphics.com/
Rhinestones, tutorials and awesome trade shows - http://therhinestoneworld.com/
Fabric - http://spandexworld.com/
Ribbon - https://ribbonandbowsohmy.com/
Plotters - https://heattransfervinyl4u.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=44_81_5&product_id=69
Basic Heat presses - Amazon
Bow tips - I do not use ANY glue, fabric tak or hot glue in the process of my bows.
My centers are zip ties that I clip, then I seal or melt them down a bit with a soldering tool.
Tails - I know that in some places/regions, the straight down tails are a fad, I personally do not make my tails straight down.
I don't even have a picture of one that is mine, but I'm sure you'd know it when you see it.
Most of my customers will wear a pouf hair style at some point in a competition season, so the tails need to not only be a bit flexible (don't make too stiff of a bow) but they need to be open so that they go out on either side of the pouf.
Also the tails should give a little or have "play" so that a cheerleader can pull the tails out a bit after they put it in their hair.
Tails that go straight down tend to point towards the eyes and interfere with a pouf style and in my opinion, look a bit strange.
Here is an example from instagram for a perfectly spaced bow tail. It goes off to either side and frames her face well. I'm sure you can picture what it'd look like if the tails went straight down towards her forehead.
Photo from Instagram: wegetcheer
All in all, professional bow makers are actual designers and skilled crafters.
This isn't just a hobby, it's our job.
Creating a bow from beginning to end entails computer and software design knowledge as well as being knowledgable in fabrics and the machines being used. The design software alone has a huge learning curve.
For me personally, I have invested HOURS learning design techniques in classes online as well as with help from fellow bow makers and or other digital designers. That and having two daughter who have been in either all star cheer or school cheer!
I take pride in every bow I make and I love to put a little LAUVE into each design!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Welcome!
Welcome to M. by Designs BOWS (and more) blog!
This is where I'll be posting my bow images along side of my instagram account.
First up the the WHO and WHY, followed by my FAQ.
WHO is M. by Design bows?
M. by Design is a single person business - Just Me!
I'm a freelance graphic designer who also LOVES crafting, All Star Cheerleading and Irish Dance.
What a combo!
Basically, I love designing.
I love new creations and love to dabble in many aspects of crafting from my first love of Hair Bows to personalizing many objects ranging from cups, wine glasses, key chains, scarves, plates, t-shirts, hoodies and well - just about ANYTHING!
Having two daughters, I have been involved in the "cheer world" since 2002.
From coaching Pee Wee football cheer to All Stars, my girls have been a part of it all. School cheer, Rec and All Stars.
For my cheer bows - I have extensive knowledge in bow making from speciality fabrics, proper adhesive materials, folding and cutting techniques, proper use of rhinestones, rhinestone designing, custom template design and I keep current styles and popular designs as well as creating my own.
I have been making cheer specific bows since about 2003 starting out at the very basic of bows!
Since then I have been perfecting my craft and adding my love of digital design and creativity into my crafting work.
Technology is AMAZING!
This is where I took my love of playing in photoshop to putting those skills into making crafts.
It's completely changed everything about what I make :)
Irish Dance?
Recently, of my daughters branched out into the world of Irish Dance and I found yet another outlet for my BLING and crafting addiction.
RHINESTONES!
I love them. All shapes and sizes. I love anything that glitters!
While I currently create my own templates for Rhinestone Cheer bows, I have slowly come up with a few designs I've used in headbands and fabric bows for Irish Dance. I also bling poodle socks.
I create all of my work from beginning to end. I am a one stop shop and will work with customers closely, emailing designs back and forth, creating and changing them until they are just right.
Complete custom work.
I do not use pre purchased templates, design stock cuts or pre bonded strips or any pre made designing products in any of my work.
My bows and T-shirts are personally designed by me in a photoshop type program and custom created as well as all of my rhinestone designs.
This is where I'll be posting my bow images along side of my instagram account.
First up the the WHO and WHY, followed by my FAQ.
WHO is M. by Design bows?
M. by Design is a single person business - Just Me!
I'm a freelance graphic designer who also LOVES crafting, All Star Cheerleading and Irish Dance.
What a combo!
Basically, I love designing.
I love new creations and love to dabble in many aspects of crafting from my first love of Hair Bows to personalizing many objects ranging from cups, wine glasses, key chains, scarves, plates, t-shirts, hoodies and well - just about ANYTHING!
Having two daughters, I have been involved in the "cheer world" since 2002.
From coaching Pee Wee football cheer to All Stars, my girls have been a part of it all. School cheer, Rec and All Stars.
For my cheer bows - I have extensive knowledge in bow making from speciality fabrics, proper adhesive materials, folding and cutting techniques, proper use of rhinestones, rhinestone designing, custom template design and I keep current styles and popular designs as well as creating my own.
I have been making cheer specific bows since about 2003 starting out at the very basic of bows!
Since then I have been perfecting my craft and adding my love of digital design and creativity into my crafting work.
Technology is AMAZING!
This is where I took my love of playing in photoshop to putting those skills into making crafts.
It's completely changed everything about what I make :)
Irish Dance?
Recently, of my daughters branched out into the world of Irish Dance and I found yet another outlet for my BLING and crafting addiction.
RHINESTONES!
I love them. All shapes and sizes. I love anything that glitters!
While I currently create my own templates for Rhinestone Cheer bows, I have slowly come up with a few designs I've used in headbands and fabric bows for Irish Dance. I also bling poodle socks.
I create all of my work from beginning to end. I am a one stop shop and will work with customers closely, emailing designs back and forth, creating and changing them until they are just right.
Complete custom work.
I do not use pre purchased templates, design stock cuts or pre bonded strips or any pre made designing products in any of my work.
My bows and T-shirts are personally designed by me in a photoshop type program and custom created as well as all of my rhinestone designs.
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