This tutorial will be one of the easiest and one of the most satisfying. Oversized pins are a great way to jazz up boring shirts, coats, bags, pillows...really anything you can stick a pin through. So grab your things and let’s get started!

8”-12” Satin Ribbon, 3/4” width, any color
Large button, contrasting color
Sewing Needle
Thread, same color as ribbon
Hot Glue gun + 1 glue stick (If you don't have a glue gun, they cost a dollar at almost any discount stores. Glue sticks can usually be found in the same place.)
Pin back

Making a bow should be fairly simple; it’s the same as tying your shoelace - just without
the shoe. Make two bunny ears towards the middle of the ribbon. Bring the right bunny
ear behind the left one. Now bring the right bunny ear backwards and tiuck it through
the loop that has formed. You should now have a relatively large bow. You can pull on
the ears as to get to the desired size.

This portion requires the needle and thread and very, very basic sewing skills and a hot glue gun. Let me start with a short story on why I use this method. Do you remember when you were little and your mom used to buy you (or your sister) the cutest hair clips? You know, the ones with the pretty sunflowers or bows attached? You loved them so much you wore them everyday. And I mean <em>everyday</em>? Then one very sad day, the hot glue holding the bow and clip together failed and that was it. Your happiness in pieces because hot glue is evil. Now, to be clear, hot glue has done nothing bad to me. It has proven very useful since I first learned about it. However, I like to know my pieces are good enough to wear and to sell, so I sew and glue them just to be sure.

So...onto the attaching. Thread your needle. The thicker the thread, the sturdier the attachment will be. Thin or cheap thread tends to snap when pulled too tight. When your needle is ready, position the button on the bow. When you are sure of placement, push the needle through the back of the bow and out the first hole of the button. You can chose to go from the first hole straight down or straight across, but I chose to go diagonally. It's a personal preference but both choices produce a unique look. Continuing sewing until you feel the button is secure. Be aware that you'll be sewing the bow to the pin as well, so don't overdo it or it'll look like a madman went a little overboard :)

In order to attach the bow, you have two options in sewing patterns. You can continue the pattern of across or diagonal as you did earlier or you can sew just the bow to the pin, passing the needle under the button instead of through. I prefer the first way as it feels more secure to me, but it may be difficult depending on the thickness of your fabric and how many passes with the thread you did. Before you can sew onto the pin, you need to tie the thread to the pin. If you looped your thread (vs single strand) when you began, you can pull the thread through the hole in the pin and then loop back and pass the needle through the two strands. If you used only a single strand, tie a knot and then tie one again. Continue by sewing the bow to the pin. You'll need to leave a little bit of slack to allow the glue nozzle to get in there, but not so much slack that the thread is hanging everywhere.

I know, I know...I use the word "secure" alot. There's a reason for that. It's important. It's a testament to your skill and dedication to your craft that your pieces don't fall apart after a few wears. Don't worry, we're almost there!

Heat up your glue gun. As always, be careful and goggles are recommended. I also don't recommend doing this in clothes that you particularly like - hot glue is messy at times and pretty good at what it does. You could end up gluing your pants to your favorite shirt. Alrighty! Gently place the nozzle between the pin and the bow. Don't force it or you risk ripping your stitches. Slowly squeeze the trigger of the glue gun. We're aiming for small beads vs. lots of glue. As you insert the glue, push the bow onto the pin backing, letting the glue seep through the holes. This means the glue is catching something and has a surface to hand onto.

Let try 10 minutes. Take the time to clean up.

And congratulations ladies and gentlmen! You've got a pretty awesome multi-purpose pin.