How to Make a Satin Bow

You never have enough of them, they're expensive to buy, and they end up crushed if you try to save them. Here's an easy way to make your own beautiful bows for dressing up all of your gifts, wreaths and holiday decorations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Satin Ribbon
• Tissue Paper
• Gift Cards
• Floral Wires
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Paddle Wire
• Tissue paper

1. Cut 2 yards of satin ribbon. Trim the ends of the ribbon on the diagonal for a finished look.

2. Cut a 6- to 8-inch piece of floral wire (also called paddle wire).

3. Begin with the wrong side of the ribbon facing up.

4. Hold the ribbon in your right hand about 3 inches from the end.

5. Twist the end of the ribbon so that the right side of the end now faces up. Hold the twist securely between your thumb and index finger. The end of the ribbon will now be right side up while the long remaining ribbon is wrong side up.

6. Make a small loop with the long end, tucking remaining ribbon between your thumb and index finger. The right side should be facing up.

7. Next, double the ribbon over on itself and make a larger loop, tucking it between your thumb and index finger.

8. Keep looping and tucking until you are just about out of ribbon. All of the loops should end with the right side facing up, and they should all be tucked tightly between your thumb and index finger.

9. Pick up the piece of wire with your free hand. Thread it through the small loop and around the back of the bow, then twist it tightly. The wire will hold all of the ribbon loops together, but be hidden by the small loop.

10. Spread out the ribbon loops to enlarge the bow.

11. Use the wire to attach the bow to your packages, decorations or wreaths.

Tips & Warnings

• Wide ribbon will make a larger bow, and narrow ribbon will produce a small one.
• Be careful not to run the wire under your thumbnail.
• This project is not as difficult as it sounds. It may seem awkward at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it.

[ebeisman]

on 5/12/2008 Wow, this is a great tutorial. It would be even better with a picture tutorial to accompany it, but well done. Thanks.