Coach Mel is here to show us how to create a black and white bow – all by hand! You don’t need the EZ Bow for this one, and you’ll learn a great technique.
Hey, y’all! Coach Mel always has amazing designs and techniques to share, and she’s back with another today.
Today, she’s showing you how to make a beautiful black and white bow by hand. No additional tools needed, and you still end up with a gorgeous bow.
Supplies Needed for Black and White Bow
- 2 2.5-inch ribbons (one plaid, one birch)
- 2 1.5-inch ribbons (one polka dot, one gingham)
- Pipe cleaners
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
How To Make A Bow By Hand
Follow these instructions to create a simple but gorgeous black and white bow by hand.
Step 1
Take your first 2.5-inch ribbon (the plaid pattern) and make 2 loops and 1 tail on each side. You’ll want an 8-inch tail and a 6.5-inch loop.
Pinch, twist (so you see the pretty side of the ribbon in the other loop), and make another loop. Keep going until you have 2 loops and 1 tail on each side.
Use a pipe cleaner in between the loops, twist it and set your bow aside for a moment.
Step 2
Take the other 2.5-inch ribbon (birch pattern) and make a 7.5-inch tail with a 6-inch loop. Pinch, twist and repeat so you have 1 loop on each side.
Take the pipe cleaner off your plaid-colored ribbon and add your new birch ribbon on top. Replace the pipe cleaner to hold it together while you continue working on your bow.
Step 3
Take the first 1.5-inch ribbon (polka dot pattern) and make a 7-inch tail with a 5.5-inch loop. Pinch, twist, loop, and repeat so you have 2 loops and 1 tail on each side.
Remove the pipe cleaner from the bow and add this ribbon on top. Replace the pipe cleaner and give it a good tight twist.
Step 4
For the final layer, take your last 1.5-inch ribbon (gingham pattern) and make a 6.5-inch tail with a 5-inch loop. Pinch, twist, loop, and repeat so you have 1 loop and 1 tail on each side.
Remove the pipe cleaner from the bow and add this ribbon on top. Replace the pipe cleaner and give it a good tight twist.
Step 5
Now, take 2 more pipe cleaners, overlap them by about an inch, and twist them together to create a long, single pipe cleaner.
Turn your bow over so that the bottom is facing up. Lay your new long pipe cleaner down on top, and wrap each end of the bow pipe cleaner around your new long pipe cleaner.
Once your “old” pipe cleaner has been wrapped around your “new” pipe cleaner, you can trim off any excess pieces for your “old” pipe cleaner with wire cutters.
Step 6
Fluff your bow. Starting at the bottom of your bow, separate each layer. Spread out the loops and tails evenly as you move from side to side and from one layer to the next.
Watch and keep everything nice and balanced by making sure that the tails of matching ribbon patterns are opposite from each other.
Step 7
Dovetail the ends of your ribbon tails.
Pretty and simple, right? If you love making bows like this black and white bow, check out these other tutorials:
- Christmas Glitter Bow by Hand
- Terri Bow Tutorial: Make a Bow Using the EZ Bow Maker
- Learn How to Make Decorative Bows
- Bow Making Fun with the Creative Coaches
If you need any help with centerpiece-making, bow-making, wreath-making, or crafting in general, be sure to check out more of our tutorials on How to Make Wreaths.
We would love to see your beautiful wreaths! Please share with us over at the How To Make Wreaths Facebook Group.
Just pin this black and white bow by hand tutorial below to find the instructions later!
Black and White Bow by Hand
Instructions
- Start with the 2.5" ribbon and measure an 8" tail. Make one 6.5" loop then pinch. Now twist the ribbon so the pretty part is facing forward then make another 6.5" loop and 8" tail. Cut the ribbon and use a pipe cleaner to secure this layer of the bow and set it aside.
- Next, take your other 2.5" ribbon and repeat the same method to create 1 tail and 1 loop on each side this time. You want a 7.5" tail with a 6" loop. Add that layer to the pipe cleaner on your first layer.
- Using the same process with your first 1.5" ribbon, create 2 tails and 2 loops (on each side) that are slightly smaller than the last layer. Your tail will be 7" and your loop will be 5.5". Add that layer to the pipe cleaner on top of your second layer.
- For the final layer use the second 1.5" ribbon to make 1 tail and 1 loop. The loop will be 5" with a 6.5" tail. Add this as the top layer of your bow and secure by twisting your pipe cleaner tightly.
- Next, put 2 pipe cleaners together to make one long pipe cleaner and twist that into your existing pipe cleaners. Trim the shorter pipe cleaners using wire cutters and leave the longer ones to attach the bow where you want it.
- Now pull down one layer of tails at a time and arrange them. Then fluff the loops by gently separating them and making the entire bow look balanced.
- Lastly, dovetail the ends of your tails and get ready to display your bow!