How to make a bow… a step-by-step tutorial.
take the full holiday house tour here!
My mother is a cross between Martha Stewart and the set-design-team for a 1940’s Hollywood musical: creative.
If you said to my mother— look, tomorrow I’m having three-hundred people to my house for Christmas… and I didn’t plan at all… and all I have is this loaf of bread and some glitter… You would get the glitteriest, sparkliest, most-spectacular loaf of bread you can imagine.
People wouldn’t even care that they couldn’t eat it because it would be so magnificent.
Sadly for me, I did not inherit her talents… It’s not just that I lack technical skill, it’s that I lack patience. My irritation-indicator kicks in precisely at five minutes of frustration.
However. There is one crafty thing that even I can handle: making a bow.
My mother can do it one-handed, while also juggling knives and flamethrowers.
But we’re just going to use both our hands. And maybe a stapler if things get out of control.
Apparently, you can buy something called a bowdabra which will make all your bows perfect and amazing, but let’s assume you’re like me and enjoy doing everything the hard way.
You need next-to-no supplies. I mean, you need ribbon. But hopefully, that’s self-explanatory. And you need a thin but sturdy piece of wire. I use floral wire. You could also use string if you have someone to tie it for you. Or just staple it into submission.
So, get some giant ribbon.
You can also get non-giant ribbon… I don’t know why you would, but this is a free country. Get whatever ribbon speaks to you. But make sure it’s wired on the edges.
People keep asking me where they can buy it… this extra-wide ribbon is the closest I found online.
If you’re like me, you already have a massive bin of ribbon.
All of which has just revealed itself to be undeniably hideous and unusable. And you will have to go to your craft store and buy new ribbon. That’s understandable. Just make sure it’s wired.
The ribbon I’m using this year is extra wide. Four inches, compared to regular holiday ribbon, which is usually 2.5 inches wide…
The regular ribbon will still give you a beautiful bow, and it’s what I usually use. But this extra-wide stuff is lined in red on the reverse side which I LOVE.
And I am nothing, if not the sort of person whose brain is clogged with these kinds of minuscule details that are both irrelevant and of the utmost consequence.
If you want to get extra fancy… you can add some wired, battery powered fairy lights to the bow. This is extra nice for a front-door wreath or tree topper.
Depending on the size of the bow you want, and how many loops you want it to have, and how many bows you want to make… you may need a couple of spools of ribbon.
If you don’t know the advanced-mathematical Fourier Analysis formula for the trigonometry involved in calculating this? I would advise you to get more ribbon than you think you need.
Or, if you’re like me, you can skip this step, run out of ribbon, drive back to A.C. Moore, realize that actually, you got it at Michaels, drive to Michaels, find they’re all sold out…
Obviously, no other ribbon will do.
Drive home. Call other Michaels, find out no one in a thirty-mile radius has it. Call your mother’s Michaels, then call your mother and ask her to go get it. Ask her to mail it to you. Be sure she uses priority mail because the Internet is waiting with bated breath for your über-stimulating post on DIY holiday bow-making.
HOW TO MAKE A BOW
STEP ONE:
Take your ribbon’s end piece. Make a loop that’s the largest size you want. Pinch and twist the ends together so it’s narrow. Here, you can cheat and staple that center bit together if you’re ready to commit to that size loop. Or, if you get the hang of it, you can just hold it together with your hand and at the end, we will wrap the center tightly with some floral wire.
The key to a good-looking bow is to get the center really scrunchy. If the center is as wide as the loops, it’s not a bow, it’s a pile of ribbon.
STEP TWO:
Make another equal-size loop on the opposite side. Pinch and twist. Again, you can staple to hold it secure. There is no shame in this. For years, my bows were full of staples in the center. We’re going to cover whatever mess you make there in the middle, so it doesn’t matter what it looks like.
At this point, with the two largest loops, you can go view it against your wreath or banister or front door… This will help you make sure that you’re happy with the size, in relation to the space. Or, if this is supposed to match another bow, compare with that for size.
Keep going with the loops. Alternate their placement, making loops that are somewhat opposite each other. Work around in whatever shape you want it to have. If you want it to be circular, with loops all around, or if you want it to actually keep a traditional bow shape but more dramatic, you can layer the loops on top of each other.
I’m making a really large bow, and it’s going to eat three yards of ribbon… Depending on the size of the bow you want and the ribbon you’re working with, you may need more loops or ribbon.
You will ABSOLUTELY have to do this a few times to get the hang of it.
At some point soon, you will want to throw it out the window– it’s an important part of the process… just keep going.
STEP THREE:
When you have all the loops you want. Or are in danger of losing control, it’s time to put a final loop in the center.
STEP FOUR:
Fasten the center. I use floral wire, which is thin but sturdy. And it’s coated in dark green so it tends to blend in with most Christmas stuff… wrap it TIGHTLY around the center where your hand is holding all the ribbon together. You want to keep the center narrow and secure– make a couple passes around the center with the wire. Leave enough spare wire to fasten the bow to whatever wreath, door, banister, or gift you’re using it on.
If you don’t have wire? Or if you feel that your bow has gotten rowdy and unpredictable—you can just shove your stapler in there and go to town.
This has the double solution of securing it and making you feel like you have exerted dominance over that which has irritated you.
Don’t worry about keeping the shape of the bow. Once it’s really tight in the center, you can pull the loops around to wherever you want them.
INTERMISSION:
At this point, I would like to offer the disclaimer that I am aware you don’t care this much about bows, or ribbon. Or DIY crafts in general. But I am unable to stop myself from continuing.
I’m sorry.
I am like this in person too— unable to substitute a brief overview, if a lengthy and detailed explanation is available to bore you.
END INTERMISSION.
STEP FIVE:
Once you hang it, it’s time to really get in there and rearrange the loops. That’s what the wired ribbon is for— to hold it in the shape you want. Like Spanx, for your bow.
STEP SIX:
If you want to hang your wreath from matching ribbon, on a wreath hanger, you can still keep the ribbon flat by stapling the loose ribbon ends to a thick piece of cardboard, and then sliding the cardboard over the wreath-hanger’s end.
The cardboard keeps the ribbon at its full width, rather than bunched up at the hook… and the cardboard is going to be covered by your bow.
CONCLUSION: Critical Theory of Bow Making.
Now I give you the ultimate secret of bow-making:
Accept the bow you have made.
There is a fine line between perfect bow-ness and the point at which you rip it apart, start over, and then three attempts down the line realize that the first bow of the day was actually the grail of bows, and now you will never recapture it.
Yes, you will absolutely need to practice this before you get a really great bow… But at some point, you are going to think: it’s ALMOST right. I’ll do it again.
Just one more time.
DON’T DO IT. Almost is as good as you get.
This is essentially what Kenny Rodgers has been trying to tell us—know when to hold it, know when to fold it— a song mistakenly interpreted to be about gambling and the meaning of life… but actually about the challenges of Christmas décor.
November 20, 2013 @ 10:58 am
Beautiful! I have a closet full of wired ribbon, and I’d love to make bows like there. Just a question, though —
What did you do with the ends? When you began, did you leave a long streamer, or did you cut it flush with the middle of the back of the bow? Or did you get the streamer at the end of the process? If so, hoe did you get it to lie flat?
Thanks!
November 20, 2013 @ 7:17 pm
When I started, I used the very end of the ribbon and pinched it into a loop… no excess at end.
I used the whole spool, so there wasn’t any extra on the other end either (how this worked out so perfectly, I cannot say!) but you could cut any extra off.
The flat piece hanging the wreath is a separate piece, not connected to bow. Look at the photo with the cardboard, and I think you’ll see how I kept it flat.
Hope this helps! I know following other people’s instructions can be confusing! Good luck!!
November 21, 2013 @ 7:09 am
Excellent post! I too have a Mom who is excellent at this bow-making skill. I secretly believe she never taught me because she liked that it was something she could always do for me; that I would always (in a sweet way) rely on her for. Unfortunately, here I am at 40 years old and three states away and I still can’t make a darn bow! 🙂
So, here’s my question for you. After you made the center loop, what did you do with the end of the ribbon? Cut it really short or twist it underneath the bow somehow. This is where I keep messing up! Thanks for such a great tutorial! Melissa
November 21, 2013 @ 7:10 am
Okay – so just saw your response to Marjorie and I think that answers my question! Thanks!
November 23, 2013 @ 10:21 am
Victoria,
You slay me like a dragon! How I missed this post of perfection I can’t fathom! Not only do you inspire to create bows and buy impossibly huge mirrors, you also inspire me to use “college” words like fathom and slay. Which is saying a lot since I am a Kindergarten teacher. Not only that but now I have a new phrase (“Like Spanx for.. [insert choice word] ) that I will use over and over until my coworkers become impossibly annoyed by me and remove me from their presence. Just imagine..”hey, this glue is like Spanx for art projects!” or “Look, this paper clip is like Spanx for a stack of papers!”
Oh and P.S. thank you for a tutorial for THAT I will never be able to replicate! I am that person who will buy a $30 dollar bow just to avoid the crying and curling up into the fetal position due to my inability to make one stinkin’ bow!
November 29, 2013 @ 8:40 pm
Do you do tutorials on small gift bows? I’ve tried these and they look like something a couple of kittens found and really went to town with. Any help would be appreciated.
November 29, 2013 @ 8:41 pm
Yesterday, I decided to make up a new wreath, I went to my trusty ribbon box where I just knew I had spools of gorgeous white snowflakey Christmas wired ribbon…….to find odd bits of totally unsuitable, red, green, purple, gold, silver Christmassey, but not white ribbon. Had to make a dash to our local odds and sods store, which by the way are completely inadequate compared to yours! (I live in australia) and came home with ten different spools of ribbon, because they did not have more than one of any pattern. My wonderful new bow will nw have several different patterns in it. Will let you know how it goes, unless I screw it up and put it in the bin in a fit of crafters rage!
Love your blog, especially love your sense of himour!
December 1, 2013 @ 8:26 am
Thank you ! I’m not crazy–only for ribbon. Made my day..
December 2, 2013 @ 11:37 am
Your bows are a perfect solution for the home with double front doors. I am reluctant to pay retail prices for two of everything I would choose to hang on mine, but even making two wreaths with trims can be very expensive. Your two bows are a happy medium, and you can afford to buy a lavish ribbon if that is all the cost involved. I mean, what, two simple wreaths would normally run you $60 for both, and they aren’t half as attractive as this treatment. So, there. My gift to you is justification without apology. Tell Paul. And your adoring readers.
December 2, 2013 @ 1:13 pm
Victoria
well done! As a professional bow maker here (I’m a florist by trade) Bow making is the hardest thing to learn and teach! [I’m right handed but tie my bows as a leftie] Wired ribbon is the best, you can tuck and pleat till your hearts content to get the correct size. Couple hints I’m happy to pass along. When you cut your tails, carefully pull the wire about 1/2″out of the ribbon casing and cut it. Then you don’t have that pokey wire ready to stab you. AND Chenille stems AKA Pipe cleaners are great to tie off bows and they come in many colors including sparkly and they don’t scratch the way a wire may on furniture, bannisters etc.
December 2, 2013 @ 1:26 pm
OMG!!! WE’RE SISTERS!!! Who knew?? (You just described my mother….)
PS: Your bow is fab. 🙂
December 6, 2013 @ 10:17 am
Hi Victoria, not sure what we enjoyed more – the tutorial or your commentary! You made us laugh and taught us something new. Thank you for stopping by our blog link party. We love meeting new bloggers. Your friends at HomeGoods
December 8, 2013 @ 11:17 am
Thanks so much for the great blog and tutorial on bow making. I bought a book on bow making, watched YouTube videos and tried many times not too successfully to make different sized bows for all my projects. I like the idea of stapling the first loop as I’m beginning to get arthritis in my fingers and holding all the loops eventually starts to hurt. Your humor is so contagious; I’ll try to remember to laugh when the loops all fall apart right at the end and I have to start over. 🙂 I look forward to reading all your blogs! Have a very Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2013 @ 12:44 pm
I really love your style of writing. Have you thought about writing a book? Like maybe a whimsical mystery?
December 20, 2013 @ 5:36 pm
Victoria,
Thanks for the great post! I’ve never commented on someone’s blog before but I found your sense of humor and obsessiveness over details so similar to my own that I just had to drop you a line. As my husband and I recently purchased an 1880s Victorian, I am looking forward to delving into the rest of your blog as well.
Cheers!
December 23, 2013 @ 12:22 am
I thoroughly enjoyed your instructions for making a bow. It wasn’t just about the bow, it was the humor of the whole process. Thanks for the great laugh. Am posting to pinterest as you’re bow instructions would interest others but also I hope they will enjoy you’re great sense of humor like I did. I still chuckle at some of the comments you made..
Merry Christmas
December 30, 2013 @ 2:39 pm
I love this tutorial, such a great way to use saved ribbon!
January 7, 2014 @ 3:35 pm
Hey loved this tutorial! You are funny as well as creative!
August 8, 2014 @ 2:48 am
Hahaha. Your instructions are so much fun to read! I think this tip is full of wisdom: But at some point, you are going to think: it’s ALMOST right. I’ll do it again.
Just one more time. DON’T DO IT. Almost is as good as you get.
Hurray for Kenny Rogers. :))
August 8, 2014 @ 2:51 am
Wonderful bow by the way 🙂
September 23, 2014 @ 8:06 am
Thank you for sharing this and I love the wreath tip too!