- 1). Cut the piece of cardboard into a rectangle as long as you want the bow to be wide. This will serve as a guide for wrapping the craft bow loops. If you are making a smaller bow, you could use the four fingers of your hand as a guide if you would prefer.
- 2). Lay one end of the ribbon across the cardboard guide so that the end is about one inch longer than the piece of cardboard itself. Be sure to position this flat against the cardboard. Then, keeping the ribbon flat against itself, wrap it around the piece of cardboard repeatedly. Continue wrapping until you have as many ribbon loops as you want in your finished craft bow.
- 3). Slip the looped ribbon off the cardboard guide carefully. Make sure not to mess up the ribbon folds and loops. Use extra sharp scissors to cut a small notch in either side of the center part of the ribbon loops. This will help the bow come together at the center without bunching. Be careful not to cut too far into the center of the ribbon so the loops come apart.
- 4). Wrap a small piece of narrow-gauge wire around the center of the ribbon bundle. Make it tight enough to hold the ribbon loops together securely. If your plan is to attach the craft bow to a wreath, hair clip, or other backing, keep the wire long enough to use it to attach the bow. If you just want the bow, snip the secured wire off short and hide the ends in the center part of the bunched ribbon.
- 5). Pull the ribbon loops gently away from each other to form the craft bow shape. Separating them completely and spreading them in a general half-spherical shape makes a lovely pom-pom type bow that is perfect for home decor and craft projects. For a bow with a defined center, wrap a spare piece of ribbon around the wire in the center of the loops and secure it in the back with a dab of craft glue.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time