How to Make Poinsettia Bows With Ribbon

You can make faux poinsettia blossoms using satin or taffeta ribbon.

Poinsettias have featured in Christmas decorations since they were discovered in Mexico in the 19th century, thanks to their colorful bracts (specialized leaves that look like flower petals) which turn red during the winter months. You can make your own poinsettias using red, gold and green satin ribbon, with a scattering of yellow or gold beads to mimic the central flowers. These ribbon poinsettias can make a cheerful addition to wreaths and other decorations, or you can use them as gift toppers.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• 1 to 1 1/2 inch-wide red satin or taffeta ribbon
• 2 inch-wide red satin or taffeta ribbon
• 2 inch-wide gold or green satin or taffeta ribbon
• Fabric glue
• Needle
• Red sewing thread
• Green or gold sewing thread
• Yellow or gold beads

Instructions

1. Measure off three 8-inch lengths of 1-inch wide red ribbon. Measure 5 inches from one end along one edge. Make a diagonal cut from this 5-inch mark to the end of the opposite edge of the ribbon. Do the same on the opposite edge of the ribbon to create a lozenge shape. Seal the edges of the ribbon with a little glue to prevent fraying. Do this for all three lengths of ribbon.

2. Sew a line of running stitches diagonally from one 5-inch mark to the other. Pull the thread taut, gathering the ribbon. Wrap the thread around the ribbon once or twice and tie off securely. Repeat for the other ribbon lozenges. Lay the three gathered ribbons on top of each other with the centers together. Make a couple of small stitches through the middle of all the gathered ribbons to hold them in place.

3. Cut three 10-inch lengths of the 2-inch wide red ribbon. Cut into lozenge shapes as before, this time starting your cuts 6 inches along the ribbon. Gather the bracts as before. Sew the smaller bracts on top of the larger ones. (This step is optional: if you only want a small poinsettia, you can skip it.)

4. Cut the gold or green ribbon into three 10-inch lengths. Cut into lozenge shapes and gather as before, using co-ordinating thread. Sew onto the back of the red bracts.

5. Sew or glue a cluster of six or seven gold or yellow beads in the middle of the poinsettia to make the flower center. Your bow is now complete.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use wired ribbon, you can omit the sewing. Simply twist the bracts and leaves into shape and wire all the sections together.

References

• KarensVariety.com: How to Tie a Poinsettia Bow
• Offray Ribbon: Poinsettia Ornament
• Gardening Know How: Make A Poinsettia Rebloom

Resources

• Martha Stewart Crafts: Crepe Paper Poinsettia