Bows are very popular with dog groomers, with many using them on collars as well as in a dog's hair. The majority of the bows I see for sale are usually on big corporate websites that sell dog grooming equipment and products mainly. Bows are your typical add on sale.
I am sure you know the sort I mean. Small dainty bows normally sold as mixed colours/designs and they are one size fits all. I'm guessing about an inch in width. I recall my old dog groomer used to use them, way before I had even thought about running a business making them.
This style of bow is made from a ribbon called Grosgrain. It is a stiff ribbon made using nylon. The lengths are cut and glued into its shape and all held together with some cotton.
I always used to get excited when she came back and equally as gutted when it popped off. They always did. Now this could be me but none of my dogs have ever been wired right. Few zoomies, rubbing up furniture when getting back from being groomed. The pure protest of smelling clean. Those sweet bows rub against the collar and after a bit of time. Ping. Either the band has snapped or the tiny two stitches holding the bow on have snapped.
First of all its such a waste. I hate waste and I am scrupulous when working with fabric ensuring I can get the very most out of a metre I use and I use 1000s of metres. This style of bow is mass produced in China and the quality is by no means the greatest. As they say, you get what you pay for I guess.
We all know dogs are gobbling four legged monsters. (Or is that just Indie?) The thought of a dog getting hold of one and gulp. It's off to the vets and that's a drama no owner needs, not to mention the vet bill.
Now we do use bands when making our bows, but they are not used in the same way. We used the band to form the shape of the bow and then we secured a ribbon around the centre of the, covering the band. The ribbon is then knotted twice to keep everything nice and secure.
By having a secure ribbon centre that holds the bow together and also makes it possible to keep it secure whether on a collar or a harness. All the ends of the ribbon are heat sealed to make sure the ribbon doesn't fray.
I make all my bows using a really durable fabric called polycotton. The mix of polyester and cotton make it a tough fabric and is also machine washable. So if Dino the dog does decide to find a nice big muddy puddle, its a five minute job to wash clean.
Collar flowers are not made with one drop of glue. Every button centrepiece is stitched within an inch of its life and that is to prevent it falling off and becoming a choking hazard for pets or children.
I think it's important that the bandanas, bows, and flowers I make are long lasting. Not something that will have to go in the bin in less than 24 hours. As dog groomers you give these items away for free, but they have so much more value as I mentioned in a previous blog - Why do dog groomers put bandanas on dogs?
I will never ever be able to compete on price for Grosgrain bows and if I am honest I would not be happy to put my name on such a product, purely for safety reasons. The last thing I would want to be responsible for is if a dog or even cat ended up hurt because of my products. Which is why I think carefully about the crafting process when making products.
In a time where budgets are tight I think I would like to say it's not about quantity versus the price. It's all about the value. If you are paying for bows, any bows and you are giving them away, surely its best to give something that will last?