One of the most crucial parts of successful wreath-making is getting the bows perfectly made. One of the most common questions we get is about how to do just that. Here’s the guide you’ve been waiting for all about how to make a bow for a wreath.

Hey, y’all. If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of bows on wreaths. After all, what better way to jazz up a homemade wreath? Bows give you the best “bang for your buck” so to speak—they are affordable, high-impact statement pieces that can be done in any color or style.

One of the questions we get all of the time is how to make a handmade bow. I know the standard method is to reach for a bow making tool, but not every bow needs to be made that way. This handmade bow for wreaths is super simple and you’ll be able to make it no time.

For this step by step bow video I called in the help of Tiffany from Woodland Ridge Design. Tiffany provides her customers with beautiful handcrafted decor, great customer service and also inspires others to find their love for crafting too…

How to Make a Bow for a Wreath

We’re going to make a cute, simple, quick bow using ribbon box 8 from DecoExchange.com. As mentioned above, you can do handmade bows in practically any color or combination of colors. If you need help choosing, check out this post about how to choose ribbon colors and patterns. Below is a full list of supplies that you can get to make your bow!

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Video: How to Make a DIY Wreath Bow

Sometimes it can help to watch something before you read the instructions. Here’s a visual showing you how to make this fun bow!

How To Make a 3 Ribbon Handmade Wreath Bow Instructions:

fall bow, mardi gras bow, spider bow, patriotic bow, green, red, and gold bow

4 from 6 votes

How to Make a Handmade Bow

This quick tutorial will show you how to make a handmade bow for wreaths.

Yield: bow

Materials

Instructions

Take your first 2.5" Ribbon (this will be the base of your bow), dove tail it and measure out a 7" tail. Then Pinch at the 7" mark, measure out 14", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for each layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Tie off with your pipe cleaner.
Take your second 2.5" Ribbon, dove tail it and measure out a 7" tail. Then Pinch at the 7" mark, measure out 13", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for this layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Now place this ribbon onto your first ribbon, making sure the 2 loops are opposite and tie into the bundle.
Take your third 2.5" Ribbon, dove tail it and measure out a 6.5" tail. Then Pinch at the 6.5" mark, measure out 12", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for this layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Now place this ribbon onto your ribbon stack, making sure the 2 loops are opposite and tie into the bundle.
Take your first 1.5" Ribbon, dove tail it and measure out a 6" tail. Then Pinch at the 6" mark, measure out 11", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for this layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Now place this ribbon onto your ribbon stack, making sure the 2 loops are opposite and tie into the bundle.
Take your second 1.5" Ribbon, dove tail it and measure out a 6" tail. Then Pinch at the 6" mark, measure out 10", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for this layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Now place this ribbon onto your ribbon stack, making sure the 2 loops are opposite and tie into the bundle.
Take your last 1.5" Ribbon, dove tail it and measure out a 6" tail. Then Pinch at the 6" mark, measure out 9", pinch it and twist it and bring the loop back around. This is your first of three loops for this layer. Follow the same steps and measurements three times. Now place this ribbon onto your ribbon stack, making sure the 2 loops are opposite and tie into the bundle.
Review your bow and make sure most of your loops are where they need to be and then secure the stack of ribbon together using your pipe cleaner or a zip tie.
Now we can hide the mechanics of the bow (whatever you used to secure it together) by cutting about a 6" strip of ribbon, removing the wires, folding it in 3rds, and wrapping it around the center of your bow. Once wrapped tie it off and trim the excess ribbon.
Give your bow one final fluffing and it is ready to be used in your wreath.

If you need a step by step guide on making a deco mesh wreath you should check out this blog.

All right. That’s it, y’all! If you’re interested in learning how to make bows using tools check out the other videos we have on How To Make Wreaths.

Share your Handmade bows with us over at the How To Make Wreaths Facebook Group. We’d love to see all your creations! If you are interested in more info on learning how to make wreaths, where to buy supplies, and being in a community of like-minded crafters, check out our Creative Coaching Subscription Group.