How to make a bow out of wide ribbon

DIY crafts are a great way to spice up the holiday season. From sewing together the perfect 90's themed scrunchie to crocheting a Christmas stocking to gift or mount, there are plenty of family or solo activities to try out (including do-it yourself Christmas cards for a personal touch).

If you’re looking for a fun DIY activity to add to your list, learning how to make a bow is a great addition. Not only do they add flare to home and package decorations, but they’re easy crafts for any DIY beginner.

With these simple steps, we’re showing you how to make three types of bows: a simple twist bow, a double looped bow and a bouquet bow (perfect for newbies and pros alike). Watch the video above to get all the step-by-step visuals you need

How to Make a Simple Twist Bow (Perfect for a Present)

What You'll Need:

• Scissors
• 2.5-inch wide ribbon
• Pipe cleaner

Instructions:

1. Create a Tail:Unroll your ribbon by 8 inches. Then pinch at the top to hold your place.
   

2. Make a Loop: Unroll another 8 inches of the ribbon, pinch it in place and fold it in half to create your first loop.

3. 

4. Another loop: Unroll another 8 inches of your ribbon, pinch it and fold it in half to connect with the others.

5. 

6. Remove Excess Ribbon: Cut off the excess ribbon, leaving an 8-inch tail on both sides.
   

7. Hold Everything in Place: Take your pipe cleaner and twist it around the pinched section. This will keep your ribbon together.
   

How to Make a Double Looped Bow (Great for a Wreath)

What You'll Need:

• Two 14-inch pieces of 2.5-inch wide ribbon
• One 12-inch piece of 2.5-inch wide ribbon
• One 6-inch piece of 2.5-inch wide ribbon
• Scissors
• Pipe cleaner
• Hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Create a Loop: Hot glue the edges of your 12-inch and 14-inch ribbon to create two loops.
2. Glue Them Together: Add a drop of glue to the middle of your larger loop before placing the smaller one on top.
3. Accordion Fold: Place your other 14-inch ribbon underneath your glued loops and pinch them together in the middle.
4. Secure Your Bow: Wrap and twist the pipe cleaner over the folded parts in the middle to keep all of the pieces together.

How to Make a Bouquet Bow (For Either a Wreath or Present)

What You'll Need:

• Three 20-inch pieces of 2.5-inch wide ribbon
• Three 20-inch pieces of 2.5-inch wide ribbon in a different pattern
• Three 20-inch pieces of 1.5-inch wide ribbon
• Scissors
• Zip tie

Instructions:

1. Make a Loop: Take one of the ribbons and measure down 12 inches. Hold the spot in place before folding your ribbon in half to create a loop.
2. Repeat and Combine: Follow the first step for all of your ribbons and accordion fold them together. Keep your thumb in the middle to hold all of the ribbons together.
3. Add a Bit of Fluff: Move your pieces around and fluff them up to create your desired look.
4. Keep Them Secure: Wrap the zip tie around the middle pieces to keep your ribbons together.
5. Trim: Remove part of the zip tie so it doesn’t stick out.

Tip: Cut the ends of your ribbons diagonally or in A.V. for a different look. You can also cover the pipe cleaner with pieces of excess ribbon for a cleaner look.

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work. 

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