How to Make a Bow Out of a Ribbon

7 Ways to Make a Bow Out of a Ribbon - wikiHowwindow.UVPERF = {};UVPERF.authtoken = 'b473c3f9-a845-4dc3-9432-7ad0441e00c3';UVPERF.start = new Date().getTime();/**//**/var WH = WH || {};WH.lang = WH.lang || {};button_swap = button_unswap = function(){};WH.exitTimerStartTime = (new Date()).getTime();WH.mergeLang = function(A){for(i in A){v=A[i];if(typeof v==='string'){WH.lang[i]=v;}}}; Sign Up or Log In or Log in via

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Pin ItArticle EditDiscussFor most people, bows are synonymous with ribbons. Bows made from ribbon can be made in several ways, depending on what use you intend putting them to. Ribbon bows can be used for such things as hair accessories, gift wrapping, dressmaking, craft and the like.

Edit Steps

Choosing the ribbon1Decide what the bow is for first. This will help you to choose the ribbon by texture and color. For example, if the bow is to be added to a garment you're sewing or it's part of the accessories accompanying an outfit, match the ribbon to the colors or textures of the clothes.

2Choose by quality. Satin is a standard type of ribbon used for making bows from but it can be slippery for the novice bow maker and grosgrain can be an easier beginner ribbon. Prints, velvet, lurex, cotton, sheers like organza and other varieties of ribbon are all suitable too. And ribbon with wire edges are great for molding the final bow shape, especially for gifts and bouquets.At its most basic, if you can tie the ribbon into a tight knot, then it can be tied into a bow by hand.

Some ribbon is too stiff to make into bows without additional help, such as wiring or stitching.

3Experiment. It's recommended that you experiment with different types or ribbon, including different widths, to find the exact style you're after.Always keep in mind that you need a lot of ribbon to make a bow. All the folding and tying consumes a lot of the ribbon and, of course, the larger the bow, the longer the length needed.

Hand tied bow (all ribbon types)1Cut a length of ribbon. As noted above, make sure it's long enough for making the bow––always allow extra for easing the bow into shape and leaving a long enough tail.

2Lay the ribbon length down on a flat surface.

3Bring both tail ends of the bow to the middle. Overlap them and you'll have created two loops and two tails. Shape the loops if they're not evident.

4Adjust the evenness as needed. This means checking that both the loops and the tails are the size/length that you want them to be and that they are symmetrical.

5Fold the left loop over the right loop. Take it around the back and through the center hole.

6Pull tightly at the center.

7Adjust again to ensure symmetry. See "Shaping the tails" below for shaping the tails. The simple hand-tied bow is completed.

Grosgrain ribbon bow for a gift box

This bow is ideal for adding to a gift box.

1Wrap the gift box (average size). The ribbon will be tied around the box.

2Cut 6 1/2 foot/2 meters of grosgrain ribbon. Also, grab a glue gun and some double-sided tape.

3Wrap the ribbon lengthwise around the box. Dab with glue to join to the box and to join the ribbon but leave the ribbon uncut (you'll continue to work with the long end of the ribbon to make the loops).

4Make a loop with the ribbon. Bring the loop back to the center join. Glue in place.

5Crease the ribbon length at the loop fold. Fold back to make another loop. Glue in place.

6Make one more loop this way. Glue in place.

7Shift to the other side of the center. Repeat three more loops in the same way, bringing them back to the center and gluing them in place.

8Cut the ribbon neatly to finish the long tail.

9Cut a short piece of ribbon from the same ribbon. Glue this underneath the top and bottom of the center of the ribbon bow, where the loops meet. This will cover up the join and finish the ribbon.

Wire bound ribbon bow

This can be used for gift wrapping, floral arrangements, hair accessories and party decorations.

1Cut a piece of ribbon as explained above.

2Lay the ribbon length down on a flat surface.

3Bring both halves of the ribbon to the middle and overlap them in the center. This will create two loops of ribbon. There should also be tails at the ends.

Hold the ribbon in the center (neck) to keep secure.

4Wrap a fine piece of wire tightly around the middle (neck) of the bow.

5Wrap ribbon or tape around the wire to conceal the wire. Use the same color as the bow or a complementary color. Either glue or stitch the wound ribbon piece in place.

6Adjust the loops and tails as needed to ensure symmetry. See "Shaping the tails" below for shaping the tails. Done.

Double loop ribbon bow

Double loops on a bow are very appealing and can be used for hair bows, gift wrap and decoration. They're still made using a single length of ribbon.

1Cut a very long length of ribbon. This will consume a lot of the ribbon when making the loops. Lay the ribbon flat on the work surface.

2Fold the ribbon length into a first set of loops. Then fold into a second set of loops underneath the first set. Hold in place with your finger or ask a friend to help while you're learning.

You can fold even more times for a multiple-layered bow but it's recommended that you try the two layers first, to get used to the feel.

3Bind the middle with thin gauge wire or stitching. For wire, twist it around and around. For stitching, wind the thread around and around and then stitch or simply stitch straight through the layers and knot off.

4Wrap ribbon of the same color around the binding. This will conceal it and make it appear that the bow is all one piece of fabric. Again, secure the wound piece of ribbon, either with glue or stitching.

5Done. The bow is now ready for applying to a garment, hair accessory or for use in craft or gift wrapping.

Floral ribbon bow

This bow has the appearance of a large flower in bloom. It can be used for decoration, gift wrapping or accessories.

1Cut a length of ribbon. Measure a length of 115cm/45 inches.

2Make a loop measuring 2.5cm/1 inch 20cm/8 inches in from the end of the ribbon. Pinch it between your thumb and forefinger to hold in place.

3Bring the long end of the ribbon up to make a 2.5cm/1 inch loop on the left of the pinched loop. Keep secure between your thumb and forefinger.

4Alternate. Make the same loop, only on the right side this time.

5Continue in this same fashion of making loops, alternating each time to create pairs. Make about three to five paired loops to complete.

6Secure the bow. Wrap thin gauge wire around the center of the bow. Twist tightly to secure and trim off excess wire.

7Wrap ribbon over the wire to cover it. Glue or stitch in place.

8Fan out the loops. They should be shaped in a rounded fashion, to give the appearance of a flower.

9Trim the ribbon ends to prevent fraying. Check that they're level before doing this and make any adjustments first. Done.

Shaping the tails of ribbons

Along with loops, tails are a distinctive part of how a bow turns out. Making them appear neat and sharp is important.

1Make sure that the tails are as long as possible when making bows. You can always cut them shorter but it's near impossible to make them longer without ruining the loops of the bow.

2Cut the tails. Cutting the tails prevents fraying of the ribbon and neatens the final look. Use a sharp pair of scissors suitable for cutting fabric. The ends of tails can be cut in to distinctive ways:

Diagonally: This is simply a cut along the diagonal to the tail fabric.

Chevron or inverted V shape: Choose a center point at the end of the ribbon tail, a little way in from the end. Cut diagonally to this point from the left and then the right side, meeting in the middle at the chosen point. Carefully remove the cut piece if it hasn't already fall away.

Edit Video

Edit TipsTo estimate the length of ribbon for tying it around a box and then making a bow, wrap the bow loosely around an average sized gift or box, then allow for an extra 60cm/24 inches each side of the ribbon for making a bow.For more ribbon bow ideas, see Related wikiHows below.If using glue on ribbon, test an inconspicuous area first and let dry. If the glue shows through the ribbon once dried, you'll either need to craft the bow to hide it or choose a different type of glue.For those not keen to make a bow from scratch, try using a bow maker to help you. Or, simply purchase pre-made bows from a craft store or online.

Edit Things You'll NeedRibbonFlorist wire (thin gauge, only where needed)ScissorsGlue (where needed); check that it is suitable for fabric

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Make Cute Little Ribbon BowsHow to Make a Hair Bow out of RibbonHow to Tie a BowHow to Make a Floral BowHow to Make a Ribbon Bow to Be a RingArticle Info Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Decoration Projects

Recent edits by: Sebastian Carro, Ecto5, P.Schutte

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