How to Make a Bow for a Wreath

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Learn how to make a ribbon bow for wreaths, gifts, Christmas tree toppers, and more. Wreaths are a good idea for decorating your front door.

A gorgeous handmade bow adds a nice touch to your wreath. There are many ways to make a ribbon bow, but this one is the easiest. They are perfect for decorating wreaths, Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, lanterns, and more.

 

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What Supplies Do I Need 

I adore making bows; however, I remember my first few failed attempts. Since then, I have learned to create many different ribbon bows.

Ribbons

Selecting a ribbon is the best part of bow making. There are a ton of different types of ribbons. However, my favorite ribbon for making a bow is wired since it makes shaping bows super easy. The wire also helps the ribbon maintain the shape of the loops and tails. 

I prefer using a wider ribbon of 2 1/2 inches for wreath bows. However, my favorite ribbon for my DIY bows is a wired burlap ribbon.

 Zip Tie and Wire

After you “tie” your bow, you will need a zip tie or a piece of floral wire to hold it together. You can also use a chenille stem or pipe cleaner to cinch and hold it together. I like to use a chenille stem that matches the ribbon. Therefore, I keep a variety of colors on hand. 

Wire Cutters and Scissors

I like to use sharp scissors and heavy-duty wire cutters (my favorite ones) when making bows and crafting.

How to Make a Bow out of Ribbon 

1. I used a two-and-a-half-inch wired ribbon to make this simple bow. The first step is determining the bow size you would like to make. Once you know the size, you will make a loop with the ribbon, then loop your ribbon around the first loop twice. Be sure to start and stop the ribbon circles a little before the center starts and a little after to finish.

Note: The number of loops on each side will equal the amount of ribbon “circles” you make. In other words, if you make three ribbon circles, you will have three loops on each side of your bow. 

 

2. Cut the ribbon off just about an inch past the center.

3. To form the streamer or tails, fold a piece of ribbon in half a little longer than your desired final length and cut the ribbon.

4. To form the bow, pinch the center of the three ribbon circles.

5. Next, pinch the center of your stream tail and hold it on the center bottom of the pinched loops.

6. Use a zip tie (the one I used) around the center of the loops. Pull it tight before trimming off the zip tie with your wirecutter (this one is my favorite). Please note: if you want to attach the bow to a wreath with wire or a chenille stem, place it on the back and zip-tie it together. 

7. The center ribbon knot is simple to make. Cut a piece of ribbon, then make a knot in the center of your ribbon. Use the tails of your ribbon knot to tie it around the center of the bow. Note: you can use another ribbon for the center knot. 

 

8. You can tie the knotted ribbon around the center and leave the tails long enough to attach it to a wreath, Christmas tree bow, swag bow, or gift-wrapping. You can also use hot glue or floral wire to attach the bow.

9. To fluff the bow, I start with the inside left loop and pull it to the bottom, and then I grab the loop on the opposite side and do the same thing. I leave the loop on top as the center loop and pull out from the top, always leaving the center’s top loop. However, you may like to arrange them the opposite way; it is gorgeous.

10. Your wreath ribbon bow is ready to be attached to your wreath form. If you added a wire or chenille stem to the zip tie, you could wire it to your wreath. However, you can also use a hot glue gun to glue it to your wreath or pin it in place. 

Learning to make the perfect bow only takes a few minutes and no special tools!

These gorgeous bows have a farmhouse-inspired vibe with the buffalo check or burlap ribbon. However, if you use a satin ribbon instead, it will look elegant. 

 

I used a black-and-white buffalo check ribbon for this DIY ribbon bow, which is perfect for all-year use.

Burlap-wired ribbon bows are the most popular since they are lovely for wreaths, weddings, gifts, crafting, and decorating.

Wired Edge Ribbon Wreath Bow

You can make this bow with a grosgrain ribbon for a hair bow or a wide ribbon for decorating.

I made this handmade wood slice wreath from a fallen tree in my yard. I like the wood slices’ rustic farmhouse look, and I enjoy buffalo check ribbon, so combining these two elements was a must.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and to celebrate, I like to create a gorgeous new bow for my fall wreath. I shared how I made this multi-ribbon bow in an earlier post. It is easy to make but looks so elegant.

Making a Bow out of Multi Ribbons

You can watch how to make this bow in this video.

Easy DIY Bow

You know I love Goodwill shirts and pumpkins! So, I took this idea further and made a door hanger with a Goodwill shirt. This two-looper with short tails is just what my door hanger needed.

DIY Double Ribbon Bow Step-by-Step

The Double Ribbon Bow is gorgeous and easy to make. My YouTube video demonstrates how to make it.

Note: This one makes the perfect Christmas tree topper, too. 

Double Ribbon Bow Supplies

This one does not require fancy tools; it’s just a few items you probably have on hand.

• Ribbon (red and white) and (black and white)
• Zip tie
• Scissors

I recommend that you use two different ribbons that are the same width. 

 

Step 1. Place one ribbon on the other and treat it as one ribbon. Then, trim off the ends of the ribbon.

Step 2. Curl the end of the ribbons to form a center loop.

Step 3. Next, form the side loop. If you use a one-sided ribbon loop, you must twist the ribbon for each loop. 

Step 4. Form loops on each side of the center loop, going back and forth as you add the loops. 

Note: You can make all the side loops the same size or make each set larger. I made four double-sided loops and one center loop.

Step 5. To form the streamers (tails), I make a giant loop and cut off the remaining ribbon. 

Step 6. Then, I pinch the loops’ center and secure it with a zip tie.

Step 7. The next step is fluffing the bow.

Step 8. To form the chevron, I cut the ends for the streamers, folding the stream ribbons in half length-wise and then again width-wise. 

 

 

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