Creating Wedding Pull Bows: A Step-By-Step Guide

Pull bows are a popular choice for wedding decorations, as well as for embellishing floral arrangements and gift wrapping. They are self-sufficient, requiring no staples, ties, or fasteners. The secret to making a pull bow is the ribbon used. Pull bows are made from a specially made pull ribbon, which can be purchased from craft supply stores or online. This ribbon comes in a variety of widths, fabrics, colours, and designs. Pull ribbon is distinctive due to the small thread that runs through its entire length, allowing for the creation of an elegant pull bow. The process is similar to the thread pulling involved when creating a ruffle.

Pulling the ribbon to form a bow

Pull bows are a popular choice for weddings, as they are self-sufficient and do not require any additional fasteners. The key to making a pull bow is to use a specially made pull ribbon, which can be purchased from craft supply stores or online. This ribbon features a small thread running through its entire length, allowing it to form an elegant pull bow.

To begin creating your pull bow, cut a 24-inch length of pull ribbon and fold it in half. If you are right-handed, hold the two ends of the ribbon in your left hand, and vice versa if you are left-handed. Now, carefully locate the ends of the pull string within each cut end of the ribbon. Keep holding the ribbon ends together, and slowly pull the two strings outward and away from the bow. As you do this, you will see the bow start to take shape.

Once the bow is created, tie the ends of the pull string tightly and then fasten them with a knot. Finally, cut off any excess pull string. Your pull bow is now ready!

You can customise your pull bow further by adjusting the loop sizes and ribbon lengths to create the desired shape and fullness. Pull bows are versatile and can be used to embellish wedding decorations, floral arrangements, and gift packaging.

Using wired ribbon for a dramatic shape

Wired ribbon is a great option for crafting bows with dramatic shapes. The wire helps to maintain the shape of the loops and tails, making it easier to create a bow with impact. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving a dramatic shape using wired ribbon:

To start, you'll need a long piece of wired ribbon—at least 2 yards in length. The wider the ribbon, the bigger and more dramatic your bow will be. For a standard-sized bow, a width of 2 to 2.5 inches is recommended. However, if you're aiming for a truly dramatic look, don't be afraid to go even wider.

Begin by creating a loop with the ribbon. This will serve as the base for your bow. You can determine the size of your bow by adjusting the size of this initial loop. Remember, the longer the loop, the fuller and more dramatic your bow will be.

Now, wrap the ribbon around this initial loop. Continue wrapping the ribbon in a continuous circle to create multiple loops on each side. The number of loops you create will determine the number of loops in your final bow. For a dramatic look, aim for at least three loops on each side.

Once you've created your desired number of loops, cut the ribbon, leaving about an inch past the center. This extra length will ensure that the end of the ribbon doesn't fall out of the bow later.

To create the tails of the bow, also known as the streamer, cut a piece of ribbon that is a little longer than your desired final length. Fold this piece of ribbon in half and cut it to the desired length. You can also notch the ends of the tails for a decorative touch.

Pinch the center of all the ribbon loops together. This will create a neat center point for your bow. Secure the center with a pipe cleaner, floral wire, or a zip tie. If you plan to attach the bow to a wreath or another surface, you can use wire or a chenille stem along with the zip tie.

Cut vertically through the center of the bow's tail to create two separate tails. Be careful not to cut the pipe cleaner or zip tie. These two tails will be used to create a standard knot around the center of the folded ribbon, concealing the pipe cleaner or zip tie.

Fan out the loops of your bow to achieve the desired fullness and shape. Adjust the loops until you're happy with the overall appearance. You can also trim the tails to your desired length.

Your dramatic, wired ribbon bow is now complete! You can attach it to chairs, flower arrangements, wedding signage, or any other surface you choose. Play around with different widths and lengths of ribbon to create even more dramatic shapes and sizes.

Making a basic bow with any type of ribbon

Making a bow with ribbon is a great skill to have, whether you're decorating for a wedding, holiday season, or simply adding a flourish to a gift. The process is simple and can be done with any type of ribbon, although wired ribbon is often recommended as it makes shaping easier and helps the bow hold its form. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a basic bow with ribbon:

• Cut the Ribbon: Start by cutting your chosen ribbon to the desired length. The length will depend on the size of the bow you want to create. For a simple bow, a piece of ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long should be sufficient. If you're using wired ribbon, you may need a longer piece, around 2 to 3 yards, especially if you want a larger or more dramatic bow.
• Create the First Loop: Take one end of the ribbon and create a loop. The length of the loop will determine the size of your bow, so adjust it to your desired size. Pinch and twist the ends of the ribbon together to create a narrow centre for your bow. You can secure this centre point with a small staple or simply hold it together with your hand if you prefer.
• Form the Second Loop: Create another loop on the opposite side, making sure it is roughly the same size as the first. Pinch and twist the ribbon again. At this point, you can compare the size of your bow with the object you intend to decorate, such as a wreath or gift box.
• Add More Loops: Continue making loops, alternating their placement to create a circular or traditional bow shape. The number of loops you add will depend on the fullness you desire. For a basic bow, 4-5 loops on each side should be enough. Remember to keep the centre point narrow by pinching and twisting the ribbon after each loop.
• Secure the Centre: Once you're happy with the size and number of loops, it's time to secure the centre. You can use a thin but sturdy piece of wire, such as floral wire, to tightly wrap around the centre of your bow. Alternatively, you can use a stapler to secure the centre if you don't have wire available.
• Adjust and Fluff: Now that your bow is secured, you can pull and adjust the loops to shape your bow. Spread out the loops and fluff them to create a full and elegant shape. You can also trim the ends of the loops if they are uneven or too long.
• Add a Tail (Optional): If you want to add a tail to your bow, cut a separate piece of ribbon to the desired length. Fold this piece in half and cut at an angle to create a V-shape or slanted cut. Secure the tail to the back of your bow using the wire or stapler.
• Attach to Your Project: Finally, attach your bow to your project. You can use wire, a chenille stem, hot glue, or floral wire to secure the bow to a wreath, gift box, or other decorative items.

With these steps, you can create a basic bow with any type of ribbon. Practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out exactly as planned. Enjoy crafting, and feel free to experiment with different types of ribbon and bow sizes to find the style that suits your needs!

Creating a bow for a wedding chair

Planning and Preparation:

Firstly, you will need to decide on the type of ribbon you want to use. The ribbon can be made from various materials such as wired burlap, lace, organza, tulle, silk, grosgrain, or velvet. The colour and width of the ribbon are also important considerations, as these will impact the overall look of the bow. Remember, the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Before cutting your ribbons, you should measure your chairs to ensure you have enough ribbon for each bow. Call your rental company to get the exact measurements of the chair backs. This will help you determine how much ribbon you need for each bow. You may also want to decide if you want a simple knot or a bow, as this will impact the required ribbon length. For instance, for a simple knot, 1.5 yards of ribbon may be sufficient, whereas for a bow, you may need 2 yards or more.

Cutting the Ribbon:

Once you have measured the chair backs and decided on the type of bow, it's time to cut your ribbons. Calculate the number of chairs you will have based on your guest count, and then use a ruler or measuring tape to cut the ribbons accordingly.

Tying the Bow:

Now comes the fun part—tying the bows! There are several ways to tie a bow, but a simple method is to start by wrapping the ribbon around the chair back at the desired height. Tie a single knot, and then create two loops with the ribbon, holding one loop in each hand. Take the loop in your right hand and cross it around the loop in your left hand in a clockwise direction, and then bring it through the back to form the bow. Ensure that the bow is centred and secure.

Trimming and Final Touches:

Once the bow is tied, you can trim the ribbon streamers to your desired length. You may also want to add some extra details to your bows, such as including a faux flower stem or a broach in the centre of the bow.

And that's it! You now have beautiful wedding chair bows that will add a special touch to your big day.

Adding a bow to a wedding gift

• Cut a 24-inch length of pull ribbon.
• Fold the ribbon length in half.
• If you are right-handed, hold the two ends of the ribbon in your left hand. If you are left-handed, do the reverse.
• Carefully locate the ends of the strand of pull string located in each cut end of the ribbon.
• Continue to hold the two ends of the ribbon together and pull the two strings out, away from the bow. As you pull, the bow will start to take shape.
• Once the bow is created, tie the ends of the pull string tightly and then fasten with a knot.
• Cut off the excess string.

If you want to make a bow without using pull ribbon, you can follow these steps:

• 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 for different ribbon thicknesses.
• Create a "bunny-eared" loop and twist the longer end twice so that it becomes rope-like. The same shiny side of the ribbon should still be facing up.
• Create a second "bunny ear" with your ribbon, adjusting the loops to your desired size. Make sure that the tails are fairly even.
• Fold the left loop over the right loop and bring it around and back through the centre hole, similar to tying a shoe.
• Pull tight to create a knot. 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 the bow, trim the ends if desired.

With these simple steps, you can easily add a bow to a wedding gift and make it look elegant and special.

Frequently asked questions