How to Make Chrysanthemum Bows

The chrysanthemum bow is a fluffy embellishment on a gift package.

Transform a regular florist bow into a fluffy mass of loops that resemble a chrysanthemum flower. A chrysanthemum bow can adorn a package or a corsage for a special event. Use a florist ribbon that has no wire embedded in it for making the circular loops. For best results, cut the fine ribbon strips with shears that are kept sharpened for fabric work only.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-inch wide ribbon
• Sewing shears
• 1- to 2-inch wide ribbon

Instructions

1. Cut an 8-inch long piece of the 1/4-inch wide ribbon with sewing shears, and place it on your work surface. Then pull a few feet of the wider 1- to 2-inch wide ribbon from the spool. Hold the end of the ribbon between your thumb and the side of your index finger of your less dominant hand.

2. Stretch out the fingers of your hand to wrap the ribbon around the area of your second knuckles. Wrap the ribbon around your hand four to six times. The more times you wrap the ribbon, the fluffier the finished bow will be.

3. Pinch the bundle of ribbon at the center on the front side of your hand with the thumb and index finger of your free hand. Relax your fingers, then move them closer together within the circle of ribbon.

4. Slide your hand out of the ribbon circle. Grasp the center-back of the ribbon circle, and hold it with the front-center area. You are holding the center of a nearly flat figure-eight shape.

5. Wrap the 1/4-inch wide narrow ribbon piece around the center of the wider ribbon bundle. Tie and knot the narrow ribbon to secure the loops of the wide ribbon in place.

6. Cut four or five straight lines into the wide loops toward the tied center on one side of the figure-eight-shaped ribbon bundle. The lines must be evenly spaced to create equal-sized loops for the chrysanthemum bow. Cut the loops on the opposite side of the figure-eight shape to match the first side.

7. Spread the mass of loops apart, and fluff the bow shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie the bow onto a corsage, or tape it to a gift package.

• Wrap two strips of different-colored ribbon at one time for school colors.

References

• Print My Ribbon: Chrysanthemum Bow
• Richards Arts and Crafts: Bow Making