A Simple Bow-Making Tutorial Using Bowdabra
- Posted on 09 January, 2016
- 6D Hair Extensions
- By Anonymous
Kelly from Under A Texas Sky - http://www.underatexassky.com/- shows you how to make a basic bow using the Bowdabra.
Hi I'm Kelly from under a Texas sky comm, and today I'm going to show you a brief video on how to make a bow. I know it's hard to believe that I can actually make a brief video, but I'm going to do my best to make this very brief and show so you're simply how to use a bow maker to make a bow. I'Ve gotten a comment recently on one of my videos and they asked me if I actually do use a bow maker to make my bows and yeah. Quite frankly, I do I'm just not really good at hand. Time bows. Some people are great at it. I'M actually not good at it at all, so I have to have a little bit of help from a tool to be able to make a bow, and so I'm going to show you today very briefly the sky's the limit. Once you get the basics on how to do this, you can mix and match ribbons and big ribbons and small ribbons you can just do whatever you want to your imagination. Is the only thing that's going to limit you on what you can do with the bow maker? Now I happen to use this bow maker bowdabra. If you want to show them the bow maker man here, but at the craft store very inexpensive, but such a tool worth having to be able to do this, I'm going to use just a one and a half inch ribbon today. I did want to show you my ribbon wrap somebody had asked me recently. They saw the ribbon rack in the background, and I want to let you know what this actually is. This is nothing special. These are just spice racks that I purchased at Lowe's they're. The kind that go on the back of your pantry door or on the back of the cabinet door. I was going through Lowe's one day and I saw these and I thought you know I would her if we could get ribbon to fit in those things and sure enough. We got at home and got on the wall and it's perfect now it won't hold a really big wide roll of ribbon some of them. You can see like this, for instance. Actually, no, that would be there's some. This one doesn't doesn't fit in what the extra conference is really big, so I just kind of set it in there, but it's still great. It works better to me than the devil, a system where you've got the dowel and going through the holes in the ribbon, because when you want to get a real ribbon down, you have to take that out and then, when you want to put it back, you Have to take all the other ribbons out and fit that back in this. You just take what you need. Stick it back over there. It'S a great way to organize. I really like it, and I would encourage you to do that. If that's something that you were wanting to know how to store your ribbon, because that is a big problem, I used to stack them all up in a cubby and I never knew what I had. Quite frankly. I just try to put him by colors, but the ones that were in the back. You would never know what was in there so that works out great. I still have the bigger role stacked up, but there's just nothing I can. I can do about that. Okay, so back to making a bow. The first thing that you're going to need with the bowdabra there is a wire, a ribbon wire made by bowdabra that I encourage you to get there. There may be other things, but it looks like string that there's a little tiny wire in there, so it does hold its shape a little bit. So that's what I would encourage you to use. I am no expert on doing these bows. I don't work for bowdabra. I don't get any money from bowdabra to do this. I just kind of wing it and I'm going to show you how I wing it and y'all can wing it too. I think on their website. You might be able to find some recipes for the exact amount of ribbon that you need for a certain bow, but I I just don't have time for that now. Quite frankly, I don't want to do math so anyway, so you take your ribbon. The front of your wire, the first thing that you have to do to do these. Those is you take your wire and I eyeball it. What you're going to do is you're, going to just take the top and you're going to bring it down and kind of make a loop, and you want to have enough wire to where it's going to extend beyond the bowdabra ends. And so that looks about right and I can actually look and see once I cut this I'll see how long it is. I'Ve never actually measured it before. So if you were to take this out it measures about 18 inches, I guess is pretty close to what it what it measures so I'm going to go ahead and make this loop. So it's going to be open at the bottom and there'll be a loop at the top. You see that and then I'm going to slip it in here just going to slip it between these things and in the end, I'm going to tuck under so they'll kind of be out of the way. So I'm going to tuck those two things under and then what I do is I start with whatever I think the tail of the bow is going to be so ever how long I want the tail to be and what I'll do is I'll stretch out the Ribbon and I'll double it, and I would put it on a wreath um just so I can eyeball the length of the ribbon. If that's how I want my tail we're going to pretend that that's it I'm going to do that. So I'm going to come over and I'm going to cut here. So this is going to be my tail of my bow and I'm going to stick that the center of it in the center of the bowdabra and if you've got a ribbon, that's got a print side and a plain side, but do your print side down? Because that's the side that's going to show and there you just put that in first it's the first thing I did and then you just start and like I said there are recipes and formulas they let you know exactly how many yards of ribbon you need. Look at this, this is really interesting. I guess to make the completed roll of ribbon. They attached these two pieces together, and I certainly don't want that in my bow. That'S really kind of a cheap thing to do, but that's what they did. Okay, so we're going to start it on the end or just going to pinch a little bit of the end and you're going to stick it in to the bowdabra. Now this is really tricky and a little bit of ribbon will make a big bow. You don't it's hard to know exactly how much ribbon, how wide you need to make it, but I'm just going to show you what I usually do for my breeds now. This is just the reeds I start out here and then what you're going to do since we've got a two-sided, ribbon, you're going to twist it to where the outside the print side is down and put it in and then you're going to bring this loop back And here's where it gets a little tricky, because you want these to be even and so then you can eyeball it. If you want to a lot of times I'll pull up the sides to see - and I can see that this side is a little bit taller than the other side so now I've got a little bit too much ribbon in there. So I'm going to step back a little bit, then I'm going to twist it to let the print side to be down okay, so I've got those first, two loops, the next two loops, I'm going to make the exact same size as the two loops that are Already there so I'm going to come, and that makes a little bit easier, I'm going to twist and I'm going to make sure that I've got about the same size. I'M going to do a little bit better job, a twisting make sure you get that tied and I'm going to twist that so we've got that and then same thing. I'M going to come back through here, I'm going to make sure that I've got basically the same size loop and I'm going to twist. Okay, so we've got two of this larger loop. Now we're going to come in just a little bit we're going to make our next leap and our next loop. You want it to be just a bit smaller than the lid before. If you can see how that is just a little hair, smaller same thing, we're going to twist press that down come back and the same thing we're going to come in a little bit. Let'S see, you know, make sure you have it kind of even there and honestly I mean I'm not the greatest at symmetry. Sometimes I my eyes just don't see, I think it looks even and then you realize at the end, it's not exactly even but it's okay, because you can figure out ways to make it all look great and I'm going to come back and do the very same Size loop, as that, and I kind of see where I need to be a twist put it in and that's a little bit smaller home, pull it just a little bit. Okay, that's good bring this. I think it's a little twisted on your spool. You can always unravel it if you want to, because you really, we really are getting pretty twisted here, but it's okay, so those the same size, so those you've got two big ones. You'Ve got two a little bit smaller, where you come in just a smidge smaller than that as well. So we're going to come in come in a little bit smaller twist bring, and you can always kind of twist this around to where you kind of get the those twists out of there okay twist down and then of course, then we're going to do our last Tear that VAT it seems that exact size see where we are on that there twist down and then same size as that, I'm going to twist it come down and now we're at basically we're at the end of the bow. So now we need the center loop of the bow done, and so we're going to come in. This is just going to be one loop and it's going to go a little long and if there goes those outside we're going to do our smaller loop and this one, you don't have to twist because there's not going to be it all. This aside, apologize for Maximus, prime being so barking. Okay, so we come to the end and you see this one's a little bit smaller than the others, the last one that we made I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to just trim that off like that. Now the bowdabra comes with this nifty little Sprinter, I'm sure there's another term for this, but I'm going to use this I'm going to come down and I'm going to scrunch down the bow. Now. Here'S where it's so important that you remember to put your Bell wire in and why it would be really difficult for you to be able to make your bow without it and see who almost lost that end. So I'm trying to make it where y'all can see. I'Ve got the loop on this end and I've got the opened ends here. So I'm going to do so. I pull them out. Don'T pull all of your ribbon out of this? Yet I'm going to slip those ends through that loop and make sure that you've got your your end down. Okay and I'm going to use one hand to press it down. In the other hand, to pull the wire. So then you see we've got it stacked up. Here I take the wire separate it out. I give it a good tug and now this little break, so don't don't go crazy and when you pull it and I'm just tying a knot, you know what actually that bottom ribbon should have been turned to the opposite direction, but it's okay. So now you start to fluff out your ribbon. So what I do is I just pull these the big the longer one set apart, the middle ones apart and then the smaller ones apart and then do it on the other side. Here we go okay and then it's just a matter of flipping and pulling until you have it and, of course, use wire ribbon. I totally recommend wire ribbon. If you use it another type of ribbon, you're going to have a hard time flipping flipping it out. I mean I'm sure it's possible, but and then, when you get to your ends of your ribbon - and you can see here, I've got a little bit of this. This tail somewhere, I finished, and then I always want to do your little fancy ends on your tails. Just fold it over start on the folded, edge and angle down toward the wire, and that gives you this nice little V. I honestly do not know what that's called some people call it dead tailing. I don't know it doesn't really make a lot of sense. To me, but but there it's a pretty simple ribbon or excuse me, simple, bow and once you get it on whatever it whatever it is that you were putting it on um, it works just great okay. So that is how you make a basic bow with the bowdabra and you can use a wider ribbon. You just have to scratch a little bit harder on a wider ribbon, but you absolutely can use two four inch ribbon if you want to to make a really big bow, but it's that's it simple and easy. In a nutshell, I wanted to show what it might look like. This is a wreath. It'S not finished, it's a wreath that I've been working on, but really neat thing about this. You have the wires. It makes it easy to attach to something that you're working on, but you can see how pretty something how these bows can look when you put them on a wreath or on a package, you can use retinas for wrapping paper bows whatever that you would like to Do simple and easy - and I hope you give it a try. Thank you so much for joining me and this little tutorial. I hope that there were some helpful tips that you found and that you will give it a try, don't be afraid to make a bow for your wreath or anything that you're decorating in your house. I hope that your new year is absolutely wonderful check out my website. Under a Texas sky comm, I've got a blog that I've started. It'S I haven't been super faithful, DUP dating it, but it's there and there are lots of other tutorials on Reed's and home improvements. Refinishing furniture - I try to put a variety of things on my website, so be sure to check it out under a Texas sky comm thanks so much for joining me, and I hope that you guys have a wonderful day. You
Comments
Elaine Calver: I can’t thank you enough for this tutorial, I’ve been struggling to make sense of the instructions that came with my Bowdabra. Amazing I can now make bows
Nancy Schubert: I watched this video the other day and afterwards I ordered a Bowdabra. You make it look easy. I always enjoy your videos. Where did you get the wire racks for your ribbon? Are they 1 tier or several tiers and how deep are they? We moved and I now have a dedicated craft room and sewing room!! I am so excited and trying to get both organized. Thanks so much!!
Sandra Jeffrey: What a FABULOUS tutorial!!! Thanks for taking the time to make and post it. My hands are trashed from many years of work and trying to hold, pinch and twist ribbon in my hands is actually painful. This is going to solve that problem very nicely. I also appreciate you showing how to make the last little half loop for the center. I watched a few other videos and they didn't do that last little half loop that I LOVE in the middle of my bows!
Annettefern: I really enjoyed your tutorial. Thank you for your honest help! This is great, I've been making or rather I should say trying to make bows for my wreaths this past six months and I'm so happy to have pulled your tutorial out. This is a true blessing for me . Thank you so much and God bless.
Shirley Bird: Girl, I can't tell you how helpful this was. I watched your video for the first time some time ago and ran out to get the bowdabra. I just today had a chance to bust it out and make a bow for my fall wreath. I came right back to watch it again and paused when needed doing exactly what you did. The bow came out awesome. Thanks so very much!!!. I love your channel!!!
Janice Lane: I just love watching your videos. I always wait for new ones to come out for new ideas I also could never hand tie a bow but now I have the Bowdabra and now I tie bows like crazy for my wreaths and they actually look like a bow instead of a tangled, jumbled mess. Thanks for turning me onto this little bow gem. I'll be looking forward to your next new videos. Between you and Trendy Tree I have learned so much. And Mean Man does excellent camera work so we can all see exactly what you are doing. Thanks again &God Bless!
Lisa Buettner: I bought a bowdabra yesterday! I used it for the first time today and I absolutely love it! I watched this video of you making a bow, and it was extremely helpful! Thank you so much!
catty2chatty: Thanks for this video. Love your ribbon storage, but for me I would think it would cost too much. I found a tutorial to make a wooden shelf, using 1x4's and trim. No more dowels, woohoo! Works for me and cost-saving.
Janette Arenas: That is amazing. Cant wait to try it out. Well done for such a good tutorial.
cruther23: This was a great video!!! I too struggle making bows but for some reason this made sense to me. I just made my best bow to date. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing.
Summertime1303: Kelly, you did a great job explaining how to make the bow from start to finish! Your camera angle was perfect. The bow you made is beautiful! I must say when I heard your dogs barking I smiled & chuckled. I am an animal lover myself. Thanks! ☺️
Shannon G: This was such a good, well presented tutorial! Thank you! I’m off to make bows for the mantle!
Sullivan Homesteader: You are such a fantastic teacher! I love all your videos and your spice rack/ribbon holder is great!!!!
Kelly Ebel: Excellent tutorial! I was able to follow your instructions and my bows turned out beautifully! Thank you!
Ina Webb: Dear Kelly, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this superb video! Oh, my gosh! I had never heard of the Bowdabra until yesterday when it was mentioned in another video I was watching to try again to learn how to make a ribbon bow! Went right down to the store and bought one and then found your video to learn how to use it and your tips which are so helpful. Just finished a beautiful bow for my seasonal wreath and will be looking forward with anticipation instead of dread to make bows for Christmas packages. Unbelievable to now find something like this after struggling for a few decades (literally) to make a decent bow. Thank you, thank you and many blessings to you.
ragdollmommy2: Hi, I made my first bow watching your tutorial! I watched others but not familiar with making a bow and new to the bodabber they weren’t clear enough! I was about to send it back. Lol I had a one sided ribbon and so did you and you walked me through it! Anyway, thanks so much! God bless and hav a nice weekend!
Collier GS: Thank you for this tutorial, I ready enjoyed it. The cut that you did on your tailes are called, (Dove-tail) which is one of my favorite cuts. Thanks again!
Joyce Primato: Thank you so much Kelly! I just followed you and have the perfect bow now for my wreath! Love your videos!
Cheryl Chaney: Beautiful bow and great tutorial! Can’t wait to try mine! Thank you!
Dragon Masters: You did a good job explaining! Thank you for showing us the way you do yours! I normally hold my ribbons to make my bows, but I recently had carpal tunnel surgery on both of my hands. So, I bought a bow-dabra and I know it's going to help and not cause pain.
Tammy Malich: I just bought myself a BowDabra. I wasn't sure how to use it. So thank you for showing me an easy way to make beautiful bows with it. ☺️
Rosa Lopez: Thank you , i liked how you explain everything so clearly. Beautiful bow
Leticia Mosto: Thank you For the tutorial! With your instructions, I made a beautiful bow for a basket. Thank you!
stephanie clapper: Great Video!! I’ve been intimidated to make a wreath that includes a bow, but not anymore. Thanks SO much! ❤️
Cheri Armstrong: Thank you so much. I just got my bowdabra yesterday. You’r instructions were clear and simple and I made a beautiful bow! I’m so excited! Also ,thanks for telling us about the spice racks!
Julie Liebman: Thank you Kelly. I always struggle making a bow on the Bowdabra. After watching this video, I realized that I wasn't making enough loops. Thank you so much for the great tutorial!
Sue Richard: I loved your tutorial! Do you seal the ends of your ribbon where you dovetail? Like a lighter or a wood burning tool? The first one I made, I didn't do enough loops. I am not crazy about it but my friend that got it is happy, so that's all that counts!
Shawna in the Kitchen: I just made this bow and absolutely love it! Thanks so much!
GinaMarie Garcia: Thank you so much! I got the bowdabra after watching your video. Did as you said, and it came out great.
Linda Brodney: Thank you! I have purchased every bow making device there is and I just could not get the hang of it. I am artistic but apparently not mechanical. This aspect was really holding me back. I think with some practice now I will be better at this. Thank you for the excellent commentary and instruction.
Debra Hinson: Thank you Kelly for this great video! I want a Bowdabra now!! I want to try to make my bows now!!
forrealgirl 42: Thanks so much for sharing this video, I had this bowdabra and kept messing up good ribbon but now I can do it right. Thanks
Robin Burgess: Thank you so much for this tutorial. My ribbon was a little too short,but I made it work and it looks gorgeous on my wreath.
selenia carrico: You are a great teacher I am new to your channel and I absolutely love it. I am going to go buy me a bow maker today because I can’t make bows at all! Lol!! P.s. I love that you named your dog Maximus Prime that’s super cool! Have a great day! You definitely have a new subscriber here!
Margaret Hidinger: Thank you so much. You explained it so well!
Robin Miller: Thank you so much for sharing with us how you made the ribbon holder. I was looking for something to buy and now I know what to get. Also your video is so very helpful and you focus in so we can see it. You explain everything and that is so helpful for me.
A Giampa: Thank you for this Kelly! I found this just in time for Christmas! Happy Holidays!
Clara Tarver: Thats a gorgeous bow! Thank you so much!!
Rebecca Copln: Great job explaining, after what feels like 100 tomes I finally was able to get a bow perfectly made for my military wreath to celebrate our son achievement of becoming a Marine... thank you
Carla Wolf: I just found a bowdabra at the goodwill and your tutorial made it so much easier to understand . Thank you so much
Jackie Smith: Great job on this tutorial!! Took your time so viewers could actually see what you were doing! Now I can actually use my Bowdabra!
Terry Monto: This tutorial was very helpful and easy. I want a Bowdabra!
Oma Sweeney: Yours was the only tutorial with the small center loop that makes the bow look extra nice. Thanks - it was easy to follow you & while I've been making bows for about 45 years, I'm always looking for a tip to make them look a little nicer. Great job.
Jenny Dow: Kelly is the best. I love her personality, I wish she made more wreath videos. Most of the wreath making content feels pretty stagnate. Save us Kelly!
sylvia Gail Joiner: Thank you so much for the tutorial. I love the ribbon display in the background
Maria Evans: Thank you for your tutorial! And holding the loops up to measure!!!! Fantastic!!!! XoXo
Mandee DeNatale: I recently started making wreaths and had been doing bows by hand, which is a tad bit difficult at times. I decided to purchase a Bowdabra and found your video when looking for tutorials. This is pefect!! Thank you so much!
Helen Holmes: I just started trying to make a bow fort my grand daughter and looked for ways to do it and yours was the best that I have found. thank you for your help.
Sharon Brenhaug: Thank you so much for the great video. I just got the bowdabra and I’m excited to try it
Debbie Harris: Great tutorial! I think i can follow this. I can't wait to give it a try!
Sandra M MacLennan: The vow looks awesome......I’ve ordered the Bowdabra which should be here soon......now that I’ve seen you demonstrate how to use this machine I can’t wait for its arrival I have arthritis in my hands so I’m thinking this will really help me.....I have to agree I rather enjoyed hearing the dogs bark
Martha Anne Ansari: I watched several bow tutorials and yours was the most helpful. Thanks so much!
Chay H.: Great easy instructions! Thanks so much! Sending Blessings!
ACkayla: I know this video is old, but I used this to make a bow today. I used 4 different ribbons. Only thing I would have done differently is add more layers! It turned out beautiful.
KimmyCoconuts: Thank you for this! I struggle with ribbons. Two questions! 1. What kind of wire do you use? 2. What scissors do you use?
Madeleine Floyd: so helpful, I may now buy one of these! Thank you!
deborah nail: I've made bows by hand for years but I have arthritis and it's so hard to hold and twist the ribbon. I didn't know about the bowdabra and am so thankful for your tutorial. Yes you should get paid by the company because I will be ordering one! I really enjoyed your video.
CHERYL Brown: Lovely instructive video that makes bow making super easy. Would you recommend the larger Bowdabra for a beginner to start with?
lynne wilder: Got on this a few months later but thank you. I was having so much trouble with the twist, you took your time and did it slowly, I think I've got the picture. Ribbon isn't cheap and it was aggravating me to keep messing it up. Can't wait to try again tomorrow!
Pamela Jarnagin: Thanks for this easy to.follow tutorial on using the Bowdabra. Have just ordered one of these, as I really struggle with bow making and your instructions are great, even with the "Oops!.Wrong side!" .I have to tell you, though, that O have major envy of your work.space!
millerjoan: Great tutorial, short and to the point! Tfs!
Emilee Paydon: You are such a sweetie pie. Thank you so much! P.S. I also love your DIY ribbon racks.
Emily Rutherford: Lovely! Thank you. I’m going to get one of those.
Pammi Payne: Many thanks for the ribbon cage system. My ribbon is in tins in multiple places, I have to iron before I use them. Plus I don't know what I have got. That is a beautiful ribbon collection that you have there. Off to search for somewhere in the UK that sells them.
Michelle Bohn: Thank you for the bow making tutorial I have trouble and you simplified it for me You didn't need to apologize for the dogs barking. I miss the sound but they will let you know if they hear anything. I love dogs and looking to get another one. Happy Holidays & God Bless!
Rickey Anderson: Thank you love your technique
Tricia Contreras: Great job on how to use the bow maker! Now I understand how to make a simple bow! Yes!
Ellen Coakley: Really like this lady and her projects are beautiful,loved the wreaths.
Kelli Warden: This is wonderful! Thank you.
Anita Girani: Very good tutorial on this::: I have a little smaller bow dab bra but love what you have done and explained it perfectly !,,,❤️
Trina R: 4 years too late but I'm really jealous of your ribbon collection. Thanks for a great tutorial.
Tiger Lily: Thank you for taking the time to show the progress. Loved Max makind himself known
SweetBrownSuga504: Thank you so much you helped a lot.
catherine russell: Thank you very much. Very concise but detailed. Just got my bowdabra and watching videos.
Denise Grinley: You did good job on explaining. Hopefully I can do this.
ragdollmommy2: Mam, I thank you so much! I made my very fist bow with the bodabber! I was ready to send it back. I watched maybe 7 others to learn it but was not til I found you n (rewinding a few times) , lol my fault tho. Anyway, I did precisely as you said and could follow you cause you explained as you worked it and I did everything you said and made my first bow!. It’s not perfect but the ribbon was used so much! Lol Have a nice weekend n God bless!
Mary Ellen Schwemm: Thank you! This was the best demonstration that I've seen .
Pam Smith: Your video helped me the best of all I’ve tried. Thank you!
Patty Ridener: Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! This was a great video and I learned so much!
Mitzi Nicole Ritter: Thank you so much! Out of all of the bow tutorials I've watched, yours is absolutely #1! And, I live in Texas, too. Lubbock, Tx. Home of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Norilee Williamson: A HUGE thank you for your instructions on using the bowdabra. I have been struggling and I was watching other bowdabra videos and they go so fast and can't see what they are doing from up above but the way you show makes it so much better. I give you 20 thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Redd: I've always made gorgeous bows by hand . all kinds thanks for sharing
JoAnne Smith: Thank you. I really learned from this❣️
Wanda Creedmore: I need to get the bowdara. Looks easy. Loved your video.
Mary Smyth: Thank you! I’m trying my bowdabra now!
Jen M: I watch you tutorial every time I use the Bowdabra. Thank you
Living Yoga Therapy LLC: This was amazing! I almost tossed my bowdabra until your video!!!
Debra Reed: Thank you for showing this. It worked great thanks to you
Doobydoo67: Just watched your video of the Bowdabra, I had to laugh as I thought gosh this woman is just like me, gets through the craft life winging it lol,,,,,Thank you
Maryte Stankeviciute: Thank you for tutorial.Best tutorial I have seen
Maria E Lopez: That was a beautiful Bow , and by the way I love your hair style!!
Deb Be: Thank you, Kelly! Great job! I bought a Bowdabra but not good at reading directions! LoL!
Lynn HIldebrand: I enjoyed your video. I think I could make this bow. I think you did a really great job!!!
Manon Schjolin: Good job!!!! =0) Thank you!! Pretty bow!! God Bless!!!
Cathy Noice: Thank you you are an excellent instructor
Alicia Tengwall: Like your ribbon idea since I’ve run out of my racks lol I use shoe racks cheap only $19.99 works awesome but I’m running out of room on the floor where my shoe racks sit. My racks are stacked to the ceiling so I’m going to try your system out to also use.
Debbie Aguilera: I just loved your video. Simple and easy for me to do. God bless you Debbie from Houston TX. TX girl too.
Cc’s Crafty Life: I just got one. This is a good Tutorial. I really learned from this.
Chad Self: That glittery zebra ribbon is too adorable!!!!
Megan Ivy: You've saved my Christmas party! I got a bowdabra and after 3 hours of struggle with that ridiculously b.s. "how to use this" manual, I nearly threw the lot in the garbage lol. Thank you so so much!