Our DIY Dressing Frame: Bow Tying

I'm so proud of my Gabby for mastering her first set of tying bows!

Bow tying is a skill we've tried and abandoned quite a few times in the past year. We'd attempt it but if frustration arose we'd simply commit to trying again later. And really, there is no reason for her needing to know how to do this right now. She only has one pair of shoes that lace and they're purple so are not even worn often! ;) Mastering this skill is really just for fun and for the thrill of learning something new!

I recently stumbled across a video that introduced me to Montessori Dressing Frames and I immediately fell in love! I want them ALL! (aannnd the cute lil stand to put 'em all in :)) Since that's just not feasible my brain went to work thinking about how I could make something similar and functional. Woodwork and sewing isn't really an option for me but a makeshift from cardboard boxes?!?! Oh yes! I knew saving all those random Christmas boxes would come in handy somehow!

Materials we used for our DIY Bow Tying Frame:

• Empty box
• Box cutter
• Hole puncher
• Lacing string

We borrowed the string from the lacing activity below.

And that's it! It literally took me maybe 10 minutes to gather the materials and create it! Then, after modeling and working together for another 10 minutes, she had it! Her first bow! I'm not sure who was more excited, her or I.


It is truly an added bonus that our DIY frame is a box. Gabriella has titled it her "Extra Special Secret Tying Box" in which she stores "special girly things"! Oh, I love my girly-girl!

Gabriella is just in awe at the moment with how special our Willow Tree Figures are, just because they're mine. She is fascinated with anything she thinks is from my childhood, especially anything fragile that needs to be handled with extra care.

Gabby really is just as delightful as she sounds! Well, at least to this momma she is! :)

Here's a little snippet of her working away. I LOVE her self talk! Her focus impressed me considering the flying distractions. Haha!