How To Make a Bow (Like Your Florist)
Learn to make your own fabulous bows—just like the professionals. Apply this technique to any ribbon (satin, grosgrain, etc.) of any width from 0.25 inch to 3 inches! Wired ribbon works best, since it is forgiving. The wire allows it to be shaped and reshaped if it gets squished. Once comfortable with this method, a non-wired ribbon can be used. These directions are for right-handed crafters, but if you are a lefty, just reverse hands.
Supplies & Tools:
- Spool of ribbon (at least 3 yards)
- Scissors
- Floral wire, 26 gauge
Directions:
- Your left hand’s primary function is to hold the bow. Your right hand will do all the work.
- Take one end of the ribbon in left hand. Use the right hand to move the ribbon making a loop. (We’ll call this loop 1.)
- Squish/gather the ribbon.
- With right hand, twist the ribbon just below the thumb/forefinger of your left hand. The right side of the ribbon should now be face up.
- Loop ribbon under and gather with left hand. (We’ll call this loop 2.)
- Twist the ribbon so that it is now facing up.
- Make a slightly larger loop directly behind loop 1.
- Gather ribbon and twist.
- Make a slightly larger loop directly behind loop 2.
- Gently pull ribbon out to the side.
- Make a loop beside loop 1, making it the same length as loop 1. (Going forward, I’ll reference this as loop 5.)
- Gather and twist.
- Make a loop beside loop 2, making it the same length as loop 2. (We’ll call this loop 6.)
- Gather and twist.
- Make a loop beside loop 3 (behind loop 5), making it the same length as loop 3.
- Gather and twist.
- Make a loop beside loop 4 (behind loop 6), making it the same length as loop 4.
- Gather and twist.
- Make one large loop out to the side. (This will become the tails of the bow.)
- Gather ribbon on the back of the bow.
- Wrap a long piece of florists wire (about 18″ long) around the center bow (where you have been holding it).
- Bring wire to the back of the bow and twist the wire to secure the ribbon.
- Take the ribbon of the long loop (step 19) and cut in half. These are the tails.
- The bow might look a bit lumpy, but do not worry. It reshapes easily since it is wired ribbon.
Elfy Hints:
- In lieu of florist’s wire, use a piece or ribbon to tie the bow together. I prefer to work with wire because it can be attached to many different objects. With wire, you can attach the bow to a Christmas tree, floral arrangement, or a potted plant. Try wrapping the wire around a stick or rod and poke into floral foam (or into the soil of a potted plant).
Thank you so much
Great post. Very informative.