How to Tie a Ribbon on a Gift Box
Everyone loves to get gifts. For some, giving gifts is just as enjoyable, if not more so, because it allows them to express their creativity and make interesting and exciting gift decorations. By going beyond the simple pre-fabricated, store-bought bows and curlicues, you can tie gift boxes with one-of-a-kind ribbons. Best of all, it's a simple way to make the gift you give stand out.
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Instructions
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Measuring and Wrapping the Ribbon
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Place wrapped gift on flat surface with the top of the box facing up. Measure the box across the top, down the left side, underneath, up the right side and back to the top. Write down the number. Measure box across the top, down the front of the box, underneath, and up the back. Write down the number. Add the two numbers together plus twice the width of the top of the box to determine amount of ribbon needed.
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Measure the required amount of ribbon from the spool and cut to size.
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Fold ribbon in half and place at the center of the top of your gift box. Hold the ribbon in place and flip the box over so that the ribbon is now underneath the box. Bring each side of the ribbon up along the sides of the box, parallel to each other, and make sure ends are even.
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Cross the two parts of ribbon--do not tuck one under the other--and turn each 90 degrees so that they are along the sides of the box that do not have ribbon on them yet. The ribbons should look like a cross or a plus sign. Hold the ribbon in place with your finger tips and flip the box back over so that the cross or plus sign is now on the bottom of the box.
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Bring the ribbon ends up the remaining two sides of the box and across the top so that you have formed a cross or plus sign on top of the box. Tuck the ribbon ends underneath the ribbon already on the top of the box and pull the ribbon taught.
Tying the Bow and Finishing
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A lovely tied bow enhances a gift box. Bring the ribbon ends up, holding them parallel. Cross the ribbon ends, tucking one under the other as if you were tying a shoe.
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Make a loop with one end of the ribbon and hold it between your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the other end around the loop close to your fingers. Push the ribbon that you are wrapping through the loop that you are making so that you make a second loop.
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Pull the round parts of the loops away from each other to tighten the bow. Trim the ends of the ribbon either on an angle, or fold the ribbon ends in half and cut out a small triangle by cutting the folded ribbon on an angle from the fold to the open ends.
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Tips & Warnings
Use ribbons like grosgrain, satin, tulle and wired ribbon for the best effects.
For larger boxes, use wider ribbons.
Add multiple bows by adding lengths of ribbon before tying the bow.
For smaller boxes, you don't need to measure---just eyeball it.
For different looks, try placing the spot where the ribbon sides meet at the top of the box at the top, left or right instead of in the center.
Pick colors or patterns that contrast with, or go with, your gift wrap---if your gift wrap is white with blue pinstripes, consider using ribbon that is white with blue polka dots, for example.
Add embellishments like bells, jewels or different styles, fabrics or widths of ribbon before completing the bow.
Make sure hands and work area are clean to avoid soiling the gift or ribbon.
Make sure the ribbon is flat along each surface of the box.
When working with glittered ribbon, place newspaper on your workspace to ease glitter clean-up.
Always buy extra spools of ribbon in case you need more or want to add extra bows.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit gift image by Kir from Fotolia.com Bow image by irum from Fotolia.com
