Creating A Wedding Wow: Crafting A Large Bow

Large bows are a great way to add a creative touch to your wedding decorations. They can be used to decorate chairs, pews, gazebos, and even the wedding couple's champagne glasses. Making a large bow for a wedding is simple and only requires a few supplies, such as wired edge ribbon, florist wire, and scissors. The process involves creating loops with the ribbon, securing the centre with wire, and then fanning out the loops to create a full and dramatic bow. With this easy technique, you can add a personal and handmade touch to your wedding décor.

How to make a basic bow

Making a basic bow is simple and can add a lot of style to your wedding decorations. You can use any type of ribbon, but wired ribbon is a good option if you want to create a large, dramatic bow. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a basic bow:

First, cut a piece of ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. This length will make a nice-sized bow with a 1-inch-thick ribbon. Adjust the length accordingly if your ribbon is thicker or thinner. You can use any kind of ribbon, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet, but remember that the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Next, make a bunny-eared loop with the ribbon, and twist the longer end two times so that it becomes rope-like. Make sure the same side of the ribbon is still facing up. Then, make a second bunny ear with your ribbon, adjusting the loops to your desired size. Make sure the tails are fairly even.

Now, take the left loop and fold it over the right loop, bringing it around and back through the center hole, just like tying a shoe. Pull it tight to create a knot, and then tug on the loops and tails to adjust your bow. Don't worry if it's not perfect on the first try!

Once you're happy with your bow, you can trim the ends if desired. You can also add a special touch by cutting the ends of your tails diagonally to create classy points, or perform a chevron cut by cutting an even triangle from the center of the ribbon tail.

With these simple steps, you can create beautiful bows to decorate your wedding venue. You can attach these bows to chairs, wreaths, bouquets, or even the wedding gift boxes to add a personal and stylish touch to your special day.

Using wired ribbon for a voluminous look

Wired ribbon is a great way to make a large, voluminous bow for a wedding. The wire helps to hold the shape of the loops and tails, making it easier to create a dramatic and elegant look. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving this:

First, select a wired ribbon in your desired colour and width. For a large bow, a wider ribbon is recommended, and you will need at least 2 yards of ribbon for a voluminous look.

To begin creating your bow, start by making a loop with the ribbon. This initial loop will determine the size of your bow, so make it as big as you want the final bow to be. Then, wrap the rest of the ribbon in a continuous circle around this first loop. The more circles you make, the fuller your bow will be, so aim for at least three full circles.

Next, decide on the length of the tails. Add about 2 inches to this length, then fold the loop in half at the centre. Pinch the centre, and wrap a pipe cleaner or chenille stem around it to secure the folded loop. Twist, tighten, and trim the pipe cleaner or chenille stem, removing any excess.

Now, cut vertically through the centre of the bow's tail to create two separate tails. Then, use these tails to tie a standard knot around the centre of the folded ribbon, covering up the pipe cleaner or chenille stem.

Finally, fan out the loops to achieve your desired shape and level of fullness. You can adjust the loops and tails until you are happy with the overall look. If needed, trim the tails to your desired length.

Your voluminous, wired ribbon bow is now ready to be used at your wedding! You can attach it to chairs, flower arrangements, wedding signage, or any other decor item that needs a touch of elegance.

Making a bow with paper

Materials:

First, gather your materials. You'll need paper, scissors, glue or adhesive, a pencil, and string or wire. You can use construction paper, origami paper, scrapbooking paper, or even decorate plain printer paper with markers. Avoid using thick paper, such as cardstock, as it may be too stiff for folding.

Cutting and Folding:

Cut the paper to the desired width of your bow. You can also cut it to the same height as your desired bow or slightly taller, as you can always trim it down later.

Now, fold the paper like a fan, keeping the folds about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) apart. Start by folding the bottom edge up by 0.5 inches, then turn the paper over and fold it again by the same amount. Continue flipping and folding until you reach the other end. Ensure that the last fold is at the back to make the bow symmetrical.

Creating the Bow Shape:

Fold the fan in half to find the center and make a crease. Wrap a piece of string or wire around the crease a few times and tie it into a knot. You can also use a stapler for this step if you prefer. Now, open up both sides of the bow like a fan to create the bow shape. If you want a fuller bow, you can make a second bow and glue the two bows together along the top and bottom edges.

Embellishments:

Cut a thin strip of matching paper, about 0.5 inches wide, and wrap it around the middle of your bow. Secure the end of the strip with glue at the back of the bow. Alternatively, you can roll and glue the strip into a small ring, then slide it onto one side of the bow before opening it back up.

Templates:

If you prefer a more structured approach, you can find paper bow templates online. Print the template, then trace it onto colorful paper and cut it out. The template typically includes three parts: a mustache shape for the bow loops, a bow tie shape for the tails, and a skinny rectangle for the center.

Assembly:

Glue the pointy ends of the mustache shape to create the looped bow. Make sure to glue onto the blank or non-patterned side of the paper. Then, glue the looped bow to the center of the bow tie shape, ensuring the loops are parallel to the bow tie.

Finally, glue the skinny rectangle to the middle of the bow, creating a "+" shape. Wrap and glue the ends of the rectangle to the back of the bow, and your paper bow is complete!

Feel free to experiment with different types of paper, sizes, and embellishments to create unique and personalized paper bows for your wedding.

Creating a floral bow

A floral bow is an elaborate, pretty-looking bow with multiple loops. It is often used by florists as a finishing touch on flower vases or corsages. It can also be used as an embellishment for non-bloom-related details like a wedding program basket, wreath, or card box.

Materials:

• Wired ribbon (approximately 4 inches wide and 3 yards long)
• Florist wire (9 or 10 inches long) or a pipe cleaner
• Scissors
• Thin satin ribbon of your choice (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Cut two pieces of ribbon, one short (about 12 inches) and one long (1 to 2 yards, depending on the desired size of your bow).
• Create a small loop with one end of the long piece of ribbon, then twist where the loop ends.
• Hold the first twist taught with one hand and make another loop on the opposite side of the bow. Then, twist again.
• Repeat these steps, making alternating loops until you achieve your desired size (usually 4 to 5 loops on each side). You should have some hanging ribbon, which will become one of your tails.
• Use the shorter piece of ribbon to tie the bow loops together. Double knot at one end, leaving the other end loose, which will be the second half of your tail.
• Cut and fluff the loops and tails to your preferred length and fullness.
• (Optional) Use a narrow ribbon to wrap around the center of the bow and tie the tails together at the back. This adds a decorative touch and can be used to attach the bow to your project.

Tips:

• Wired ribbon is recommended as it holds its shape better, creating a fuller bow.
• You can make all the loops the same size or make them progressively bigger for a varied look.
• Cut the tails as short or long as you like, and style them with slanted or swallow-tailed ends.
• Choose a ribbon colour or print that matches your wedding aesthetic or the theme of your gift.

Decorating chairs with bows

For a simple ribbon bow, you will need a roll of wired-edge ribbon (at least three yards) and florist wire. Start by making a loop with the ribbon, ensuring that the length from the tail to the loop is 7-8 inches. Continue making loops of the same length on either side until you have at least five loops on each side. Cut the ribbon so that the remaining tail faces the opposite direction of the beginning tail. Pinch the centre of the loops to ensure both sides are the same length, then wrap the centre with florist wire. Finally, pull the loops apart to form your bow, twisting the ribbon to achieve your desired shape.

If you want to create a more dramatic bow, wired ribbon is a great option. Take a long piece of ribbon (at least two yards) and create a loop, then wrap the remaining length of the ribbon in a continuous circle around that loop. Decide on the length of the tail you want and add two inches to that measurement. Fold the loop in half and pinch the centre, then wrap a matching pipe cleaner around it. Twist, tighten, and trim any excess pipe cleaner. Cut vertically up the centre of the bow's tail to create two separate tails, then use these to tie a standard knot around the centre of the folded ribbon. Fan out the loops to achieve your desired shape and fullness.

You can also decorate chairs with bows made from other materials, such as tulle, organza, or satin. These can be purchased or custom-made from sites like Etsy.

Frequently asked questions