How to Make Bows for Evergreen Wreaths

A colorful bow may be the only decoration for an evergreen wreath.

A proper wreath bow is an eye-catching addition to holiday or winter decorations. When creating an evergreen wreath, the finishing touch makes a difference, and a bow is a typical completion. Commercial bows are available but not always suitable for your wreath, because the right color, print or material may be difficult to come by. By making a bow at home, you can design the finishing point of the wreath exactly as you desire.

Instructions

1. Measure twice the amount of ribbon as the desired length of each loop of the bow. For example, if the desired length of a bow loop is 4 inches, measure 8 inches of ribbon. Do not cut the ribbon, but hold the spot with a thumb and forefinger.

2. Fold the measured length in half, and twist the end and the ribbon together one full turn. Hold them in place with the thumb and forefinger of your nondominant hand.

3. Wrap a loop of ribbon completely around the thumb holding the loop. This will be the cover loop. Twist the ribbon at the end of the loop completely around so the top side is facing upward. Hold in place along with the first fold.

4. Create one to five more folds or loops using the instructions from Step 1. The number created depends on the number of desired loops for the bow.

5. Cut a piece of craft wire to a length of 6 inches or more, dependent on the size of the wreath. An evergreen wreath is thick, so the bow will require a wire to wrap completely around the wreath and secure the ribbon's position.

6. Feed the wire under the thumb loop and around the rest of the ribbon gathered and twisted underneath. Twist the wire to secure the ribbon together.

7. Arrange the loops to create the shape of the bow desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use cloth or plastic ribbon for your bow. Evergreen wreaths can snag and tear silk or satin ribbon.

• Extra large loops will sag. Choose ribbon with wire sewn-in for extra large bow creation.

References

• Best Decorative Wreaths: How to Make Wreath Bows
• Elegance in Bloom: Bowmaking Instructions

Resources

• "Wreath Making for the First Time"; Pat Poce and Deon Gooch; 2004