How to Make a Giant Oversized Bow

I like big bows and I cannot lie.

When it comes to gift wrapping, you might not immediately realize that classic bows are actually pretty simple to make. Instead of being stuck with whatever’s leftover in the 50-bow variety pack you picked up from the convenience store when you were restocking on clear tape, learn an important life skill, and master the art of making your own bow. If you’re thinking outside the box (wrapping pun!), consider an oversized bow as an accent in your home. Follow my lead and use two sheets of poster board, a stapler, and some hot glue to create a bow that makes a statement.

I can think of a few things I’d love to get for Christmas that would warrant a gift bow as big as the one demonstrated here… a new table saw, a new washing machine... probably won’t be waking up to a new luxury vehicle, though a girl can dream. For now, on the back of our front door is a big bow. It has a 24” diameter.

Start by measuring and cutting your two sheets of poster board. Poster board is heavier than regular paper and makes an ideal choice for crafting a large, sturdy bow. Lighter weight paper stock such as ordinary printer paper or wrapping paper is ideal for smaller bows.

Cut one piece of poster board into five strips length-wise. Mine are about 4-1/2” wide. Cut the second sheet of poster board a little differently; cut one wide piece off the end of the short edge of the paper. This will be the center of your bow. Trim the remaining into five more strips, noting that they will be shorter in length than the pieces you cut from the first piece of poster board. If I have any words of advice, you may want to cut the end piece wider than I did in the above visual – aim for 8” – so that you can be sure the center of the bow is voluminous. Depending on how the bow assembles for you, the center roll may be 5”-8” wide.

Using the stapler, begin to assemble each piece of your bow. Fold each length of paper so the end is looped as you see here. Staple it in place.

When positioned, the long lengths of paper will form the outer “flower.”

Repeat this process with the shorter lengths of paper, which will yield slightly shorter pieces that fit on top to form the inner “flower.”

At this point, heat up the glue gun and glue each layer together, one piece at a time, bottom “flower” first, and then the top flower.

Loop the short length of paper that will form the center of the bow. Staple and then glue it in position. 

Use a piece of mounting tape to attach the bow to your wall (or to that big gift that’ll be sitting under the tree on Christmas morning).