Duct Tape Bows

Difficulty: Easy

 This is the first craft I've put on here that doesn't really go back for hundreds of years. But it still has some history!
It came about during World War Two, when there was a need for a strong, durable, waterproof tape that could repair broken windows, seal canisters, and help the war effort in general. Soon, a new kind of tape was invented. Polycoat adhesives helped the tape stick to just about anything, and polyethylene coating allowed them to laminate it to a cloth backing which made it tougher but easier to rip. After the war, it was used to, (you guessed it!), repair ducts. That's where it got its name. But a few years ago, duct tape increased in popularity. It was made with many different colors and patterns and is now used not only for taping ducts and doing other repair work, but for making crafts. One of the easiest is a duct tape bow.

YOU WILL NEED:

• Duct tape
• Scissors
• A bobby pin or barrette (optional)

 First, cut off a piece of duct tape that is about 2 1/2 inches long.

Next, cut off another, slightly bigger piece. This is just so that you can trim it without making it too small.

Stick the two pieces together. Don't worry if it's uneven, you'll fix that next.

Now trim off the sticky bits that are hanging off the edge. Make sure that your rectangle isn't too lopsided.

Fold it in half.

Now grab it as close to the middle as you can, like it shows in the picture.

Fold out the two ends, like so.

 Then fold them down and pinch them there, just in the middle.

Finally, use a narrow strip to keep the ends down. You can use a bobby pin or barrette and stick it through between the strip and bow, or tape it there with another strip, so you can put it in your hair.