A bow is an elaborate decorative element that is distinguished by the many rings. It is used to embellish things like flower arrangements, vases, wreaths, centerpieces and gift boxes. You can buy bows from florists, but it is much cheaper and more fun to make them yourself. This article illustrates the easiest method for making both large and small bows. It also includes a method of making flower-shaped bows (useful for decorating little girls' ribbons and caps) if that's what you're after. Go to step one to get started.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Large Flakes
Step 1. Get the material
To make a large bow you will need a ribbon, about 8 cm wide and about 3 meters long.
- What florists use is stiffer and works better than a fluffy ribbon, and allows for larger shapes.
- You will also need about 20 cm of U-bent florist wire and a pair of scissors.
Step 2. Make the central ring
Take one end of the ribbon and form a ring making sure that the "right" side is facing out.
- Keep the bottom of the ring tightly between thumb and forefinger. Remember that the size of the rings you make will affect the overall size of the bow.
- At the bottom of the first ring, give the belt a turn to ensure that the right part of the belt is facing outwards. This is the secret to a beautiful bow.
Step 3. Make the next two loops
Form a second ring next to the central one.
- Secure it with your fingers by holding the first ring and turning the ribbon again to ensure that the right side is facing out.
- Make a third ring on the other side of the central ring, still holding it tightly with your fingers and turning the ribbon.
Step 4. Continue making loops
Keep using the same technique until you have four or five loops on each side of the middle one.
- Depending on what you want it to look like, you can make the rings the same size or make them bigger and bigger as you go.
- Once you've finished making the rings, take the tail of the ribbon and hold it between your fingers (don't twist the ribbon - keep it straight). This way you will have a large loop under the bow.
Step 5. Secure with florist's wire
Take the U-folded wire and pass one leg through the central ring so that there is a leg on each side of the bow.
- Turn the legs of the thread to secure the bottom of the bow and hold all the loops in place.
- Alternatively, there are those who recommend turning the bow itself instead of the thread because they say it creates a tighter bow that does not melt.
Step 6. Inflate the bow
Take a moment to pull out the rings (some on the left and some on the right) to create a round flower shape.
- It may take a few tugs, but the tape will be fine
- Remember to round each ring to give it a rounder, not flat shape.
Step 7. Cut the tails
Cut the ring under the bow in half to create the tails. Cut them as short as you like and modify their appearance as you wish.
Method 2 of 3: Make Small Flakes Using Cardboard or Styrofoam
Step 1. Get the material
To make a small bow you will need ribbon, a piece of cardboard or styrofoam, scissors and some florist's thread.
Step 2. Make a slot in the cardboard or styrofoam
Cut a thin V-shaped slit in the cardboard or Styrofoam using scissors or a knife.
- The slit should be wide enough for the tape to pass but narrow enough to hold it in place.
- If you use a glossy ribbon on one side and an opaque ribbon on the other, make sure that the shiny side is facing "down", that is, in such a way that it forms the outer part of the rings.
Step 3. Start making the rings
Fold the ribbon to make a loop on one side of the slot, then thread the ribbon into the slot. As you push the ribbon, turn it so that the shiny side is facing down.
Step 4. Continue making loops
Continue making rings alternating from one side of the cardboard to the other. If you want the bow to have smaller loops in the center you just need to make each loop smaller each time you pass the ribbon through the cardboard.
Step 5. Cut the ribbon
When the bow is full enough, cut the ribbon at an angle.
Step 6. Slide the ribbon out carefully
slide the ribbon out of the cardboard, being careful to hold the center of the bow tight between thumb and forefinger.
Step 7. Secure with wire
Take the florist lfil oda and wrap it around the center of the bow. Twist the two ends to secure it securely.
Step 8. Inflate the bow
Once fixed, take some time to adjust the bow and give it a uniform look.
Method 3 of 3: Making Flower-Shaped Bows
Step 1. Get the material
You will need 3 pieces of ribbon each 15cm long along with 3 other pieces 13cm long.
- You will need a hot glue gun, fake diamonds, pearls or buttons.
- Using different colored ribbons for the shorter and longer pieces creates a more beautiful effect.
Step 2. Start making figures in the shape of 8
Lay out the six pieces of ribbon in front of you with the shiny parts facing down.
- Take the first piece of ribbon and fold it in half to form a ripple in the center. Roll out the tape again.
- Put a little glue along the ripple line, then on the bottom of the ribbon and make a loop. Glue the end of the ribbon to the ripple line, making sure that the shiny or decorated part is glued facing down.
- Repeat with the other end, making the ring in the opposite direction to form an eight.
- Now do the same with the other pieces of ribbon until you have six figures in the shape of a figure of eight.
Step 3. Put the flower together
Take the three largest figures of eight (the ones made with the longest piece of ribbon) and put a drop of glue in the center of each.
- Take a figure of eight and glue it horizontally to another to form an "X" or a cross. Take the third figure of eight and glue it on top of the others to form a flower.
- Repeat the process with the treble to form another flower. Then put a little glue in the center of the largest flower and glue the small flower on top.
Step 4. Glue the decoration in the center
Put a little glue in the center of the smaller flower and glue the decorations
Advice
- These bows are perfect to place at the center of the table. They add extra color to flower bouquets.
- The polystyrene core (you need it for the second method described above) is used in the frames to hold the photographs in place. You will need a piece of about 10x24 in size. Many frame shops have leftover ones that sell for little money.
