How to Make a Satin Bow

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Rate: (14 Ratings)

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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Cut 2 yards of satin ribbon. Trim the ends of the ribbon on the diagonal for a finished look.
Step2
Cut a 6- to 8-inch piece of floral wire (also called paddle wire).
Step3
Begin with the wrong side of the ribbon facing up.
Step4
Hold the ribbon in your right hand about 3 inches from the end.
Step5
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.
Step6
Make a small loop with the long end, tucking remaining ribbon between your thumb and index finger. The right side should be facing up.
Step7
Next, double the ribbon over on itself and make a larger loop, tucking it between your thumb and index finger.
Step8
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.
Step9
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.
Step10
Spread out the ribbon loops to enlarge the bow.
Step11
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.

Comments

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ebeisman said

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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.

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