Adding a bow to a wreath is a big part of it.It is possible to use bows as accents to holiday, seasonal, and everyday wreathes.You can either make a fluffy bow with lots of loops or a floppy bow that's more rustic.It will take a little bit of practice and minimal materials to make a perfect bow for your wreath.
Step 1: A piece of floral wire should be cut off.
It can be easily found on the side.You will use this wire at the end to hold your bow together.You could use a pipe cleaner if you don't have floral wire.
Step 2: Take one end of the ribbon and make a small circle.
The fluffier the bow, the more ribbon you need to use.A small circle is made at one end of the ribbon.If you don't know if the ribbon is wired or not, pinch a portion of it together.You will need to stop when you have about 12 inches (30 cm) of fabric remaining.
Step 3: You can pinch the end of the circle with your non-dominant hand.
When touching the rest of the ribbon, pinch the seam between the fingers of your non-dominant hand.The rest of the bow can be shaped by your dominant hand.You're going to use your non-dominant hand to hold the fabric together while you make the bow.
Step 4: You can make loops on either side of the circle to create a figure eight.
Make a loop on one side of the circle and pinch the fabric in the middle to create a figure-eight image.Continue pinching the fabric in the middle of your fingers.The bow looks like the number 8 when you look at it from the side.
Step 5: Continue making loop after loop.
There should be at least 5 or 6 layers of ribboned loops.You can make closer to 9 or 10 if you use a lot of fabric.Keep gathering the material in the middle by pinching it between your fingers.The bow will look a little strange at this stage, but don't worry, your loops will be tiered rather than spread out.You're on the correct path.
Step 6: You should stop making loops when you have at least 30 cm of fabric left.
Place the end of the ribbon between your fingers and form a circle.12 inches (30 cm) of ribbon will produce bow tails that are about 15 cm long.
Step 7: Attach the floral wire to the fabric.
Make sure it's secure by twisting it several times.You can now let go of that bundle of fabric.If you're using a pipe cleaner, thread it around the pinched fabric and twist it off to make sure it stays in place.
Step 8: The tails of the bow are formed by cutting the middle of a big loop.
The tails of your bow can be created by cutting in the middle of the fabric.You could add more flair to the design by cutting small triangles out of each end.When you stop making loops, leave more fabric at the end.You can trim the tails to the length you want.
Step 9: The ribbon should be shaped by rearranging the loops.
You need to spread out the loops until you have a large bow.Pull loops upwards and down, and leave no see-through spaces between them.If the loops get bent out of shape, you can easily reform them with wire ribbon.
Step 10: There is a piece of floral wire that needs to be cut off.
You can easily find this wire later on if you leave it off the side.Once you're done making your bow, you can use it to secure it.You can use a pipe cleaner if you don't have floral wire.
Step 11: At the end of your ribbon, make a twist.
2 feet (0.61 m) of ribbon is needed for this bow.Take 6 inches (15 cm) of fabric from one of your tail ends and twist the end.If you're using ribbon that isn't patterned on both sides, make sure that the colored side is on the outside of the twist.
Step 12: Pull the fabric at the end of each loop.
Hold the forming bow in your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to make loops and twists.Depending on the size of the bow, you can either use smaller loops for a more concentrated bow or use bigger loops.You won't be making a pattern for this bow.Each loop will be made next to one another.
Step 13: Make loops on a number.
If you're going for a really large bow, make anywhere from 6-10 loops.Before you stop.symmetry in your bow can be created by the even number.
Step 14: Take off the rest of the ribbon.
There are roughly equal-sized tails on each side if you cut the ribbon.If you're worried about matching the sides, leave extra room so you can trim the ribbon tails.You can tidy it up later on if the edge is a little jagged.
Step 15: Attach your wire through the center of the bow.
Half of the loops should be on one side and the rest on the other.If you want the floral wire to stay firmly in place, you have to twist it off several times.Follow the same process if you are using a pipe cleaner.The excess floral wire can be used to attach the bow to the wreath later on.
Step 16: Spread the loops to make a bow.
To make it look full, position the loops in all directions.The unwired fabric of this bow makes it look a little loose, but that's part of the beauty of it!If you want, you can cut small triangles from the ends of the tails.
Step 17: Cut the ribbon into 3 pieces.
You can make one piece 60 inches (150 cm), one 24 inches (61 cm) and the last 8 inches (20 cm).Cut the piece in half.The bow will hang down from your wreath.
Step 18: Place the large ribbon in the center, then fold the sides down and across.
Make your folds by leaving 16 inches of fabric in the center, as this will be the main part of your bow.The end of each side should be on the opposite side.You can lay the ribbon down flat if you do this at a workstations.
Step 19: The ends of the ribbon need to meet in the middle to be folded.
Place the folded ribbon, seam-side down, over top of and in the middle of the 16 in (41 cm) section from the largest ribbon.The second piece of fabric helps create depth in your bow, rather than just having a flat, single-layer bow.
Step 20: To make a bow, gather the fabric in the middle of your ribbons.
To create the 2 sides of your bow, pinch the fabric together in the middle and hold it together with your non-dominant hand.The other side of the bow should be reflected in a mirror.
Step 21: Wrap your wire around the bow.
To make sure it's secure and won't come undone, thread it around the middle and twist it off several times.You could use a pipe cleaner if you don't have floral wire.If you want to attach the bow to the wreath later on, you can either trim off the excess ends of the wire or let them stick out.
Step 22: The floral wire should be covered with a 20 cm piece of burlap.
Wrap it around several times until there isn't any leftover ribbon.If you want, you can also take the other half of the piece and wrap it around the middle.A variation on this is to use a colored or patterned ribbon to cover the floral wire.
Step 23: Place the glue gun on the backside.
Attach the floral wire with hot glue and then flip your bow over.Use your scissors to get rid of the sticking up.It's a good idea to let the hot glue dry before you flip it over.Double-sided tape can be used if you don't have a hot glue gun.
Step 24: Cut out triangles from the end of thetails.
Cut out a triangle shape from each end of your burlap for a rustic and authentic feel.If the triangles don't match, try to keep them the same size.