Lea Cavender of EZ BowzB. Inc. shows how to make a beautiful wreath bow in a matter of minutes. Materials:
EZ Bowz bow maker
4 yards of 2 3/4" wire-edged ribbon
16" piece of floral wire
Optional: scrap ribbon
- Assemble the EZ Bowz bow maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two wooden dowels in the center will extend upward, perpendicular to the wooden base. On the base are ruler markings to help in keeping the size of the loops consistent.
- Place floral wire between the two wooden dowels. These will be used to tie the ribbon loops in the center of the bow.
- Hold the ribbon face up, that is, with the more attractive side up. Leave a 16" streamer. Measure along the ruler base to 5", twist one-half turn, and place between the dowels.
- Measure to 5" and fold over (don't crease) to form a loop. Twist ribbon at the dowels one-half turn, and insert between dowels.
- Measure to 5" on the opposite side, and repeat the process described in step 4. Continue until you have completed three loops on each side of the measuring base (figure A). Then measure to 4" and make two more 4" loops on each side. If you have some scrap ribbon and want to add it to the bow, start looping it on top of the ribbon already looped (figure B).
- After completing the loops, make a single 1 1/2" to 2" loop on one side of the dowels for a center loop. Cut away the remaining ribbon, leaving approximately 10" to 12" for the streamer.
- Holding one end of the wire in each hand, crisscross the wires between the dowels, and cinch down tightly. Lift the bow from the dowels while holding it in the center. Turn the bow upside down, and pull both wires firmly to tighten. Twist the wires around each other.
- Separate the loops to form a fluffy bow. Hold the bow in the center, and fan out the loops on each side, starting with the bottom loops. Place your hand inside each loop and pull to create a full, professional-looking bow (figure C).
Note: - Directions for making an angel come with the angel kit. The angel is made the same way as a wreath bow but with longer loops and a different distribution of the loops. The top loops are pulled to the sides to make wings, and the lower loops are pulled down to make the angel's dress. The angel head, included in the kit, is hot-glued in place (figure D).
Tips: - Need a big bow? Cut 24" of wire-edged ribbon, and place it between two paint cans whose handles have been taped to make them stand up. Using the rest of the wire-ribbon spool, wrap the ribbon in figure-eight fashion around the two cans. Use the 24" length of ribbon to create the bow's center. Remove the cans and shape the bow as desired.
- Even plain brown wrapping paper can make a pretty gift if you use a beautiful ribbon to make a big, dramatic bow.
Gift Bag Using a business-size envelope, host Mary Lyon demonstrates the art of making gift bags. Materials:
Envelope
Decorative scissors
Glue stick or adhesive tape
- Seal the envelope and fold one long edge (the width of the fold will depend on the size of the envelope -- we used a 1/2" fold in our demonstration). Repeat on the other long edge.
- Flip the envelope over and refold along the same lines (this helps reinforce the fold).
- Fold up one short side the same amount. Turn the envelope over and reinforce the fold.
- Use decorative scissors to cut off one end of the envelope; make a second cut to yield a strip, which will form the handle of the gift bag.
- Slide one hand all the way inside the envelope and open out the folds. There will be a v-shaped tab on each of the two bottom corners; fold this to the bottom of the bag and glue or tape it in place.
- Glue or tape the handle in place.
Note: You can make these gift bags out of sheets of wrapping paper too. Simply fold the paper in half (let the seam be in the middle of the sheet rather than along one edge) and seal with glue or tape. This will give you a stronger bag with the print, if any, both inside and out. Tip: If you plan to use the bag to hold a heavy gift, reinforce the bottom (and the handles, if you wish) with cardboard.
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