Bows are having their moment and I am 100% here for it! And with Christmas right around the corner, I have one thing to say – “Let it bow, let it bow, let it bow!” This simple tutorial makes bow making incredibly easy to get the look of dramatic Victorian style bows that I think are just so dreamy for the holiday season.
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What Kind of Ribbon Should I use?
Your choice of ribbon is completely a personal choice based on your aesthetics and style! I absolutely adore velvet – especially at the holidays. For this tutorial, you do NOT need wired ribbon. In fact, non-wired is preferrable to get the dramatic droopy look. You can shop my top picks for ribbon in the images below!
Materials
- ribbon of your choice
- 2 chopsticks, pencils, or other long slim items
- masking or painters tape
- table or countertop
- scissors
- floral wire
- wire cutters
How to Make it
1. Start by securing your sticks to the edge of the table or counter top using tape. Make sure they are nice and secured so that they don’t pull away while you’re making your bow. NOTE: for large flowing loops, tape your sticks further apart. For smaller loops, tape them closer together.
2. Cut a long piece of ribbon. I cut mine about 3 feet in length to make a triple loop bow with longer tails. Feel free to play around with the length to get your desired look.
3. Drape your ribbon over the top of the two sticks with 3/4 of the ribbon hanging on the right side of your sticks.
4. Using your right hand, bring the right tail under both sticks and then up and over making a large loop. For a double loop, repeat this step once more. For a triple loop, repeat this process twice.
5. Bring both tails together under your sticks and bring one end up and behind your looks, draping it over the top and then bringing it back together with the other tail on the bottom. NOTE: If your ribbon is one-sided, make sure the right side is facing up for this step.
6. Tie the two tales together tightly in a knot.
7. Remove the bow from your sticks and shape/fluff before trimming the ends.
How to Hang Your bow
Cut a piece of floral wire about 6 inches in length and thread through the back of the bow underneath the ribbon so that the wire sticks out on either side of the knot.
chair / garland / ribbon / candles
Twist the wire together where it meets the bow and then use the wire to attach your bow to your desired item.
tablecloth / rug / chairs / hydrangea art / dandelion art / switch plate
How to Decorate your home with Bows.
That heading should probably read, “where to NOT put bows in your holiday home,” because that list would be shorter! Add bows to garlands, wreaths, mantles, gifts, trees, the backs of dining chairs… Really add them wherever you want a bit of whimsy this holiday season!
If you’re looking for more ideas to decorate with ribbon do not miss my post about 7 easy ways to style with ribbon and secondhand sources for ribbon!
chairs / rug / pillows / candles / garland / garland holders
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xoxo, L
