How to Make Perfect Bows

A nice bow can accentuate a brightly wrapped package or even decorate a room.

A nicely tied bow adds color and elegance to any gathering. It complements the flowers and gifts at a wedding or shower and brightens the mood at a birthday party. Choosing the right bow for the occasion requires an understanding of the person of honor's tastes, as well as the best way to complement the color scheme. Learning to tie the bow simply requires patience and the ability to follow instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors

Instructions

1. Make two loops in the ribbon. The loops should be the same length and shape, and there should be one loop on each end of the ribbon.

2. Bring the left loop across the right one to form a loop between them. Drag the end of the right loop through the resulting loop. Make sure you keep the ribbon straight during this process or the bow will not look right.

3. Pull the loops gently apart, until the bow looks even.

4. Use the scissors to trim the tails so they are just a little bit longer than the loops.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make a bow with more loops by simply making one loop after another and then securing it with bow-tying wire.

References

• Save on Crafts: How to Tie a Bow
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Three Perfect Bows