Question about bows.. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

katienme2002 · 10-01-2010, 11:59 AM

I know you guys are tired of me asking all these questions..lol..But do you guys use the clip bows (french style?) Or the rubber band bows? Which do you think are best, and feel free to share photos..lol....Thanks!

Ladymom · 10-01-2010, 12:56 PM

My bow customers are pretty evenly split 50/50 with bands or barrettes.

Bows with bands have a prettier shape and really hug a topknot, plus they are lighter and more comfortable for the dog. They stay in better than barrettes, too.

Many of my customers find barrettes easier, though, especially on a wiggly puppy. Just be careful if you use barrettes to carefully supervise your puppy if she like to chew things up as barrettes are a choking hazard.

TresCutePiggies · 10-01-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katienme2002

I know you guys are tired of me asking all these questions..lol..But do you guys use the clip bows (french style?) Or the rubber band bows? Which do you think are best, and feel free to share photos..lol....Thanks!

I have always liked the french clips because they are easier to put in for me, and they are especially good when my fiance helps me change out their bows (though he will probably never admit to this), but there is no way he could do the bands.

They do slide around sometimes though, so it won't necessarily look centered on the topknot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

My bow customers are pretty evenly split 50/50 with bands or barrettes.

Bows with bands have a prettier shape and really hug a topknot, plus they are lighter and more comfortable for the dog. They stay in better than barrettes, too.

Many of my customers find barrettes easier, though, especially on a wiggly puppy. Just be careful if you use barrettes to carefully supervise your puppy if she like to chew things up as barrettes are a choking hazard.

Rory and Lane are good about sitting still to have their topknots done, and I can't get the banded bows to look straight. I've looked at lots of tutorials, and I know to only use one of the bands. Some show just doing two turns of the band, but is that really enough? What am I doing wrong? Sometimes I end up with the ribbon caught in the band too!

I keep saying I'm going to "graduate" to bands, especially since the the ones on clips tend to slide around more easily.

Ladymom · 10-01-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

I have always liked the french clips because they are easier to put in for me, and they are especially good when my fiance helps me change out their bows (though he will probably never admit to this), but there is no way he could do the bands.

They do slide around sometimes though, so it won't necessarily look centered on the topknot.

Rory and Lane are good about sitting still to have their topknots done, and I can't get the banded bows to look straight. I've looked at lots of tutorials, and I know to only use one of the bands. Some show just doing two turns of the band, but is that really enough? What am I doing wrong? Sometimes I end up with the ribbon caught in the band too!

I keep saying I'm going to "graduate" to bands, especially since the the ones on clips tend to slide around more easily.

You should never twist the bands on the bows. Those bands are for placement only. Just pop the band over the topknot.

elemtchr99 · 10-01-2010, 01:34 PM

I thought I would like clips better, so I did order one to try on Sophie. I did not like it. I just kept practicing with the bands, and it is so easy now. They stay in very well. I put a band on first. Then the bow. I put it on to the front first, then I grab the bow and twist the band and put it over the topknot again (bow towards back). Then I grab the bow once more, twist, and pull over topknot once more and it's back to the front. Love the bows with bands.

Beamers Mom · 10-01-2010, 01:42 PM

I have problems with the bands (mostly because of my RA). I buy the ones with the alligator clips, I have a couple with the french barrettes but I like the alligator clips much better.

TresCutePiggies · 10-01-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

You should never twist the bands on the bows. Those bands are for placement only. Just pop the band over the topknot.

So it just goes straight on there. It doesn't need to be turned to hold it in place. In the interest of full disclosure, I don't think I have any of your bows that are banded, so I'm not sure what size band it is, but the ones I do have are definitely cheaper but they are way too big not to be turned a few times. I think I'm going to practice on my finger.

Ladymom · 10-01-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

So it just goes straight on there. It doesn't need to be turned to hold it in place. In the interest of full disclosure, I don't think I have any of your bows that are banded, so I'm not sure what size band it is, but the ones I do have are definitely cheaper but they are way too big not to be turned a few times. I think I'm going to practice on my finger.

Look for high quality bows that use 1/4" bands. You shouldn't have to wrap it around.

If you have to twist the bands on your bow, they are too big. They will also break at some point.

Rhetts_mama · 10-01-2010, 04:13 PM

I've been making little bows with the bands. I find them easier to get in and keep in than the clips. Scarlett doesn't have enough hair to do a full on top knot yet, but I'm trying to get her used to having something up there.

Darlin Beauxs · 10-01-2010, 04:59 PM

My orders are about 50/50 too, but I think the more serious bow lovers tend to order the barrettes.

I use the 3/8 size non-latex bands on my bows and they are NOT cheap, believe me! They are medical grade. They are the larger size, so they would have to be turned. I have always used these, because when I started making bows, I received e-mails from some stating that the bows they had ordered had bands so small they could not figure out how to use them! (Not you, Ladymom, or any other bow vendor who posts here). I also thought that was the purpose of attaching 2 bands, so if one breaks there is a back-up.

Now, I am wondering if I should offer a smaller sized band as an alternative. I get a lot of orders for my bands in my store, especially from customers placing second orders.

As an aside, I prefer alligator clips or french barrettes for Darcy's bows. She is not a puppy, and does not try to get her bows out, she just likes the "bed head" or "slightly tousled topknot"

.

I find that the barrette, or the clip, makes the bow stay in straighter! I guess this would all depend on your Yorkies coat type. I also think bows with hardware attachments are going to hold up better over time, giving you more bang for your buck, because they are not being pulled on, like a band attachment will allow.

10-01-2010, 11:59 AM	#1
katienme2002 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Posts: 1,290	Question about bows.. I know you guys are tired of me asking all these questions..lol..But do you guys use the clip bows (french style?) Or the rubber band bows? Which do you think are best, and feel free to share photos..lol....Thanks!

10-01-2010, 12:56 PM	#2
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	My bow customers are pretty evenly split 50/50 with bands or barrettes. Bows with bands have a prettier shape and really hug a topknot, plus they are lighter and more comfortable for the dog. They stay in better than barrettes, too. Many of my customers find barrettes easier, though, especially on a wiggly puppy. Just be careful if you use barrettes to carefully supervise your puppy if she like to chew things up as barrettes are a choking hazard. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

10-01-2010, 01:34 PM	#5
elemtchr99 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,261	I thought I would like clips better, so I did order one to try on Sophie. I did not like it. I just kept practicing with the bands, and it is so easy now. They stay in very well. I put a band on first. Then the bow. I put it on to the front first, then I grab the bow and twist the band and put it over the topknot again (bow towards back). Then I grab the bow once more, twist, and pull over topknot once more and it's back to the front. Love the bows with bands. __________________ Barbara & Sophie

10-01-2010, 01:42 PM	#6
Beamers Mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palm Bay, Fl, USA Posts: 5,957	I have problems with the bands (mostly because of my RA). I buy the ones with the alligator clips, I have a couple with the french barrettes but I like the alligator clips much better. __________________ Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

10-01-2010, 04:13 PM	#9
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	I've been making little bows with the bands. I find them easier to get in and keep in than the clips. Scarlett doesn't have enough hair to do a full on top knot yet, but I'm trying to get her used to having something up there. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

10-01-2010, 04:59 PM	#10
Darlin Beauxs Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Monroe, La, Us Posts: 1,326 Blog Entries: 1	My orders are about 50/50 too, but I think the more serious bow lovers tend to order the barrettes. I use the 3/8 size non-latex bands on my bows and they are NOT cheap, believe me! They are medical grade. They are the larger size, so they would have to be turned. I have always used these, because when I started making bows, I received e-mails from some stating that the bows they had ordered had bands so small they could not figure out how to use them! (Not you, Ladymom, or any other bow vendor who posts here). I also thought that was the purpose of attaching 2 bands, so if one breaks there is a back-up. Now, I am wondering if I should offer a smaller sized band as an alternative. I get a lot of orders for my bands in my store, especially from customers placing second orders. As an aside, I prefer alligator clips or french barrettes for Darcy's bows. She is not a puppy, and does not try to get her bows out, she just likes the "bed head" or "slightly tousled topknot" . I find that the barrette, or the clip, makes the bow stay in straighter! I guess this would all depend on your Yorkies coat type. I also think bows with hardware attachments are going to hold up better over time, giving you more bang for your buck, because they are not being pulled on, like a band attachment will allow.