If you think you're all thumbs when it comes to making bows, here are some simple techniques that can help. Rosie Hines, craft consultant with Plaid Enterprises, gives us a lesson in bow-making 101. Shoestring Bow Materials:
Ribbon
Box or package
- This basic two-loop bow is tied like a shoelace. Place a package in the center of a length of ribbon, and bring the two ends of the ribbon up to the top of the package. Tie a single knot.
- If you have a helper, have him or her hold the knot with one finger. Tie a bow as you would tie your shoelace, making one loop with the right ribbon. Bring the left ribbon around the first loop in a counterclockwise motion, creating a small loop. Bring the same ribbon through the small loop, making a second large loop, and pull both large loops (figure A).
Florist Bow Materials:
3 yards wire-edged or satin ribbon
Floral wire
- About 8" from one end of a piece of ribbon, pinch firmly between thumb and index finger.
- Make a 5" loop (half the size of the finished bow), and pinch tightly. If the ribbon has a right and a wrong side, twist the ribbon to keep the right side up. Make a second loop opposite the first, and pinch over the first two pinches ( figure B).
- Repeat this process, forming four loops on each side or as many loops as you like.
- Place floral wire around all the loops, and pull it to the back (figure C ). Don't twist the wire yet. Adjust the loops (figure D). Turn the bow upside down, and twist the floral wire in the back, securing the loops. Trim excess wire. Trim the tails of the ribbon (figure E).
Pompon Bow Materials:
3 yards each of three colors of ribbon that has been treated to be more substantial
Floral wire
- Stack three colors of ribbon on top of each other, and form a 9" loop equal in size to the diameter of the finished bow (figure F).
- Wrap the ribbon around the loop as many times as desired for your bow--about five or six times (figure G).
- Flatten the loops, and cut triangles from the outer edges toward the center at each end to make notches, being careful not to cut too close to the center (figure H).
- Bring the notches together at the center (figure I).
- Secure the ribbon at the center over the notches with floral wire. Pull out the loops and twist toward the center, alternating sides to form a pompon (figure J).
Dior Bow Materials:
Wire-edged ribbon
Hot glue and gun
- Cut ribbon into four lengths: 10", 14", 18" and 18".
- Form loops with both of the two smaller pieces, overlapping ends. Glue the ends together, and glue the inside centers of the loops together.
- Stack the loops together, with the smallest loop on top. Place one of the 18" pieces of ribbon on the underside of the stacked loops, with one end near the center and the other end extending to one side. Place the other 18" piece of ribbon on the underside of the stacked loops, with one end near the center and the other end extending to the opposite side (figure K).
- Wrap a small length of ribbon around the center in the opposite direction of the rest of the loops (figure L).
- Glue to the underside of the bow (figure M).
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