How to Make Ribbon Bows for All Types of Gifts: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Many will argue that no wrapped gift is complete without a bow made from ribbon. That little touch goes a long way in bringing elegance to any gift package, and some feel that a gift looks naked without one. Tying a ribbon bow is actually simple, and there are a few different ways to pull it off. So, let’s walk you through the three most popular ribbon bow methods to cover all of your bases.
Choosing the Right Ribbon
First off, you’ll want to select the best ribbon you can find. It’s not just about choosing a high-quality (and eco-friendly) ribbon, but also making sure that the ribbon complements the gift wrap as well as the recipient’s personal tastes. You can choose from various colors, textures, widths and edges, and you want to put a good amount of effort into making sure that you pick one that really makes your gift pop. At Waterleaf Paper, we offer a variety of eco-friendly gift ribbon styles to match just about any aesthetic.
Choose Your Style
This is where you will need to figure out how you’d like to tie your ribbon. A ribbon bow can be made through various methods, and we’ll describe the three most popular methods below.
Method #1: Traditional
The traditional way to make a ribbon bow is by creating a cross-tie that goes across the length as well as the width of the package, and then tying a traditional bow on top. First, cut approximately enough ribbon to wrap around the package two times. Now, turn the package upside-down. Bring the ribbon across the center below the package, lining up the edges as they loop around the top to make sure that they’re even. Now, cross one edge over the other as if you were wrapping it around the top lengthwise, but at the point where they meet, pull the two ends across one another and out toward the sides, so that they’re now moving around the width of the package instead of the length.
Holding the ends of the ribbon in place, flip the package so that it’s rightside-up. Now, the ribbon should be going around the length and width of the package. From there, tie a traditional “shoelace” bow.
Method #2: Wire Ribbon Bow
If you want to get a little fancier, grab some thin, bendable wire and blue it to the underside of the strip of ribbon that you intend to use to embellish the gift. This flexibility provided by the wire allows the ribbon to be molded into the shape of a bow – or any shape, for that matter.
Place the ribbon onto a surface, horizontally. Take one end and loop it over the top to create an upward-facing loop on one corner. Now do the same on the second end of the ribbon, this time crossing the bottom-facing tail of the loop across the other. Twist the two ends around each other a couple of times.
Method #3: Flower Bow
To tie a ribbon bow that looks like a flower, you’ll need about a 45-inch strip of ribbon. Make a loop by folding the end of the ribbon to about 8 inches down from the end, holding it in place with your fingers. Now, do the same on the opposite end, bringing the meeting point of that loop to the meeting point of the other. Continue doing this, alternating each end and matching up the meeting points of the loops. Now, secure the meeting point with wire. Spread out the loops into the shape of a flower – voila.
Gift Ribbon Doesn’t Have to Be Boring – Great Creative with Bows!
Gift ribbon can elevate an ordinary-looking gift into something creative and spectacular. Try these ribbon bow methods or get creative with a design of your very own. At Waterleaf Paper, our eco-friendly, decorative gift ribbons make it easy to try out all kinds of bow styles to elevate the visual impact of any gift.
