Creating Wedding Bows: Ribbon Techniques For Beginners

Bows made from ribbon are a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding. They can be used to tie wedding gifts, or as an addition to your party decor. You can tie them onto chairs, wreaths, bouquets of flowers, or basket handles. Making bows with ribbon is simple and only requires a few materials, such as ribbon, florist wire, and scissors. You can follow a few easy steps to create a beautiful bow, including making loops with the ribbon, wrapping the centre with wire, and fanning out the loops to achieve your desired shape.

How to make a decorative wedding bow

Materials

To make a decorative wedding bow, you will need the following materials:

• Wired edge ribbon (at least 3 yards)
• Florist wire (4 inches)
• Scissors

You can use any kind of ribbon, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet, but the width of the ribbon will determine the size of the bow. If you want to make a large bow, consider using wired ribbon as the structured edges will allow you to mould the bow into a dramatic size or shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Create the First Loop: Start by making one loop with the ribbon. The length from the tail of the ribbon to the loop should be 7-8 inches.
• Continue Making Loops: Keep making loops that are 7-8 inches in length. You should aim for at least 5 loops on each side. Cut the ribbon so that the remaining tail is facing the opposite direction of the beginning tail.
• Pinch the Center: Pinch the center of the loops so that both sides are the same length. This will ensure that your bow is symmetrical.
• Wrap with Wire: Take your florist wire and wrap it around the pinched center of the loops. This will help secure the shape of your bow.
• Pull the Loops Apart: Gently pull the loops apart to create the bow shape. Twist and adjust the ribbon as needed to achieve your desired look.
• Finish with the Tails: Pull out the tails of the ribbon to give your bow a final flourish. You can trim the ends of the tails to your preferred length or leave them as-is for a more dramatic effect.

Additional Tips

• When in doubt, start with longer ribbon strands. You can always cut them shorter, but if they are too short, you may need to start over.
• If your bow tails are uneven, simply measure them and cut the longer tail to match the shorter one.
• Get creative and add some extra flair to your bow. Try cutting the ends of the tails diagonally or in a chevron pattern, or tie a charm in the center of the ribbon for a personalized touch.

How to make a large wedding bow

Materials:

• Wired edge ribbon (at least 3 yards)
• Florist wire (4 inches)
• Scissors

Method:

• Begin by cutting a piece of ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. This length will make a nice-sized bow with 1-inch thick ribbon. Adjust the length accordingly for ribbon thickness—the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.
• Make a loop with the ribbon. From the tail of the ribbon to the loop, it should be 7-8 inches long.
• Continue making loops that are 7-8 inches in length until you have at least 5 loops on either side. You should have 10-12 loops in total.
• Cut the ribbon so that the remaining tail is facing the opposite direction of the beginning tail.
• Pinch the center of the loops so that both sides are the same length.
• Wrap the pinched center with your florist wire.
• Pull the loops apart to make your bow. Twist and turn the ribbon to get the desired shape.
• Finish by pulling the tails out to create the bow's tail. Trim the ends if desired.

Tips:

• Start with long ribbon strands. It's easier to trim ribbon than to add length.
• Make sure the bow tails are even. If one tail is longer than the other, cut it so that it matches the shorter one.
• Get creative! Cut the ends of your tails diagonally to give them classy points, or perform a chevron cut.

How to make a 10-loop wedding bow

To make a 10-loop wedding bow, you will need a roll of ribbon, florist wire, scissors, and wire cutters. The ribbon should be wired, and at least 2 yards long. Wired ribbon is best because it is easy to shape and will hold its form.

Step 1:

Start by making one loop with the ribbon. The tail of the ribbon to the loop should be 7-8 inches.

Step 2:

Continue making loops that are 7-8 inches long until you have 10 loops in total (5 on each side). Cut the ribbon so that the remaining tail faces the opposite direction of the beginning tail.

Step 3:

Pinch the centre of the loops so that both sides are the same length.

Step 4:

Wrap the pinched centre with florist wire to secure the loops in place.

Step 5:

Pull the loops apart to make your bow. Twist and turn the ribbon until you get the desired shape. Finish by pulling the tails out to create the bow's tail.

Step 6:

Trim the ends of the bow's tail if desired.

Tips:

• It is better to have too much ribbon than too little. You can always cut long tails shorter, but if your bow tails are too short, you will have to start over.
• Don't be surprised if your bow tails are uneven. Simply measure them and cut the longer tail to match the shorter one.
• For a unique touch, cut the ends of your bow tails diagonally to create classy points, or perform a chevron cut.

How to make an elegant decorative wedding bow

Materials

To make a decorative wedding bow, you will need a roll of ribbon, florist wire, and scissors. The ribbon should be wired, and at least three yards long. You can use any kind of ribbon, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet, but remember that the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1:

Start by making a loop with the ribbon. The tail of the ribbon to the loop should be 7-8 inches long.

Step 2:

Continue making loops that are the same length until you have at least 5 loops on either side. Cut the ribbon so that the remaining tail is facing the opposite direction of the first tail. You can make the loops bigger or smaller depending on the desired size of your bow.

Step 3:

Pinch the center of the loops so that both sides are the same length. This will give your bow a neat and symmetrical appearance.

Step 4:

Wrap the pinched center with florist wire to secure the loops in place.

Step 5:

Gently pull the loops apart to create the bow shape. Twist and adjust the ribbon until you achieve the desired result.

Step 6:

Finally, pull the tails out to create the tail of the bow. You can trim the ends of the tails or leave them as they are.

Additional Tips:

• Practice with longer ribbons first, as they are easier to work with, and you can always trim the ends.
• Consider using wired ribbon for a more structured and dramatic look.
• Experiment with different types of ribbon, such as silk, velvet, or grosgrain, to create a unique look.
• You can also add a special touch by cutting the ends of the tails diagonally or in a chevron shape.

How to make a wedding bow for pews

Making bows out of ribbon is a simple way to add a decorative touch to your wedding. These bows can be tied onto pews, chairs, wreaths, bouquets, or basket handles. You can use any kind of ribbon, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet, but remember that the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Materials:

• Wired edge ribbon (at least 2 yards)
• Florist wire
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)

Instructions:

• Cut a piece of ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. This length will make a nice-sized bow with 1-inch thick ribbon. Adjust the length for ribbon thickness.
• Create a bunny-eared loop with the ribbon, then twist the longer end two times so that it becomes rope-like, ensuring the same shiny side of the ribbon is still facing up.
• Make a second "bunny ear" loop, adjusting both loops to be the desired size of your final bow loops. Ensure the tails are fairly even.
• Fold the left loop over the right, then bring it around and back through the center hole, similar to tying a shoe.
• Pull tight to create a knot. Tug on the loops and tails to adjust the bow as needed.
• Once you're happy with the bow, trim the ends if desired.
• To attach the bow to a pew, use florist wire to secure it in place.

For a more dramatic and structured bow, you can use wired ribbon. Here are the steps:

• Take a long piece of ribbon (at least 2 yards) and create a loop. Wrap the ribbon in a continuous circle around that loop.
• Decide on the length of the tail you want and add 2 inches to that length. Then, fold the loop in half from the center.
• Pinch the center and wrap a matching pipe cleaner or florist wire around it.
• Twist, tighten, and trim any excess pipe cleaner or wire.
• Cut vertically up the center of the bow's tail to create two separate tails.
• Use the two tails to tie a standard knot around the center of the folded ribbon to cover the pipe cleaner or wire.
• Fan out the loops to achieve your desired shape and fullness.
• Trim the tails if desired, then attach the bow to the pew using florist wire.

Frequently asked questions