Needle and thread
Types of Ribbon: There are lots of different kinds of ribbon out there, but primarily grosgrain ribbon makes the best hairbows. If you want something fancier you can use velvet, satin, or sheer and do all right. Wire edged ribbon and some of your really cheap craft ribbons will not work. If it says it’s washable you are probably ok.
Size of Ribbon: The width of your ribbon depends a lot on the size of your bow. For the small infant hairbows, 3/8″ to ½” work best. Toddlers will be 7/8″ or so and the bigger girls 1-1 1/2″. With the 7/8″ ribbon and up you may also need a short length of 3/8 – ½ ” for your center. As a guide about a yard will get your 7/8″ ribbon a bow with 3 loops on each side and tails. I prefer to buy by the spool because you can always go back and mix in other colors and have a completely different bow.
Clips: You can use about any type barrette to attach your bow, but for younger girls’ very fine hair, regular barrettes will not stay in. I’ve had my best luck putting their hair up using clear plastic rubber bands and then clipping the bow in with single prong alligator clips. You can find these at your local beauty supply store. They are less than $5 for like 100.