Damon’s Top Bow Maker (+ Must-Have Bow Making Tools)

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Whether you’re a Craftpreneur or a hobbyist wreath maker, there are a few bow-making tools you need to help get the job done efficiently with professional-looking results. Here are Damon’s top bow maker tools to help your bows look fabulous every time.

Hey, y’all! I receive questions from readers every day. However, one specific question that readers ask me nearly every day is about my favorite bow maker tools. I understand where that question comes from because you’ve probably seen me use several different tools throughout my videos.

Our companion post about wreath-making tools was hugely popular, so we figured that we needed to do one about bow makers too!

If you’re looking for the top bow makers for wreaths, just know you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to wreaths, You’ll need to have certain bow-making tools on hand. If you equip yourself right from the beginning, you’ll find that the flow of making your wreaths will go much more smoothly.

Note: Interested in more wreath-making business tutorials? Check out my Top Video Tutorial Creation Tools, How To Sell On Etsy, and 8 Tips For Great Product Photography!

The Top Bow Maker Tools

One of the more difficult aspects of finishing wreaths is creating the perfect bow. Many wreath-makers find that the majority of their time is spent making bows. That’s especially true when you’re new to bow-making.

Tip: I highly recommend using a bow maker when you’re first learning how to make bows because it will be easier to hold your bows, and you’ll get better results. As you increase your skills and confidence, then you can try ditching the bow maker and making them by hand.

If you’re searching for the right bow maker, try one of these.

A Bow Maker – The EZ Bow Maker

There are several bow makers on the market but my bow maker of choice is the EZ Bow Maker. With a name like EZ Bow Maker, you know it has to be helpful, right?

What’s so great about this bow-making tool is that it can easily make any size bow.

The base has a measurement tool on it that allows you to measure out the length of ribbon that you’re going to want to use in the tails and loops. The attached spool holder works well and keeps your ribbons from “running away” or getting all tangled up.

If you want a tool that’s handy for making a ton of bows in a short amount of time, this is it. Plus, it’s super portable to take with you if you travel for trade shows while still making bows. 

Video Tutorial

Check out these three quick tutorials on how to use the EZ Bow Maker!

Pro Bow The Hand Bow Maker

Although I personally prefer to use the EZ Bow Maker, I definitely pull out the Pro Bow The Hand bow maker from time to time.

It works differently than the EZ Bow Maker, but it’s just as helpful for making bows. And I always keep in mind that some people prefer the Pro Bow while others prefer the EZ Bow Maker. If you make a lot of bows, try using both of them.

More Must-Have Bow Making Tools For Wreaths

Obviously, the bow maker is an important bow-making tool. However, there are a few other tools that can make bow-making easier.

Good Pair Of Scissors

Let me reword that…you want an AH-MAZING pair of fabric scissors. My all-time favorite pair are these Fiskars Amplify RazorEdge Fabric Shears. They cut through multiple layers (or even thick fabric) like butter!

Fighting your way through ribbon or fabric with so-so shears will cause the edges to fray and look terrible. Clean edges make such a huge difference in the appearance of your bows.

Bow Fasteners

How do you keep all that ribbon looking the way you want it? Here are our community’s favorite tools to keep those bows staying pretty and in place.

Zip Ties

Create fuller bows with a tighter fasten using good ol’ zip ties. And you thought they were just good for tidying up cords and dealing with misbehaving spouses. 😉

I’M JOKING Y’ALL!

They are extremely versatile and easily hidden.

Zip ties work especially well for larger bows, taking them straight off your bow maker and securing them tightly to most wreath bases.

Don’t just take my word for it! Here’s what a couple of our community members say about them:

Zip ties! They are quick and easy get super tight so they aren’t flopping around and are easy to remove without ruining the bow. – Becky D.

Zip ties! They get tighter and to me make the bow fluffier looking. – Lisa K.

Pipe Cleaners

For mesh ribbons or smaller bows, using pipe cleaners may be the better way to go. You can manipulate the pipe cleaners to create a better hold.

See what some of our members have to say:

I use pipe cleaners for normal bows as I can weave in the ends to make it extra secure. If it is oversized, then I use a zip tie. – Aimee H.

I prefer pipe cleaners, because I can match the color to the top ribbon to help camouflage them, and I feel like I can make them pretty tight. AND they’re easier to make bows by half when I have the help of a pipe cleaner that can be opened and closed a few times. It saves my hands from cramping. – Mellie M.

Floral Wire

Okay, floral wire can be trickier to use than pipe cleaners and zip ties, but it definitely has its place on the list. Floral wire works really well, but it’s harder on your fingers.

I recommend grabbing some needle nose pliers and favorite wire cutters to tackle bows with floral wire!

Here’s what some of our community members had to say about wire:

I like wire because I can manipulate the bow to the correct position and tighten it to the frame with my needle nose pliers – Ann B.

Floral wire is my go-to because I seem to be able to attach it tighter but not too tight. When I use zip ties, I usually waste a few redoing it. – Karen G.

I use floral wire (doubled), because I think the bow opens up nicer when there is less bulk in the tie going over it. – Liana M.

From ribbon tails to a full-fledge bow, there are several tools that our community just loves to use to help them along. They make the process more efficient and ultimately deliver a better quality wreath.

If you’re selling your creations, you definitely want your clients to ogle at the craftsmanship!

FAQs

Here are a few questions I frequently receive from readers. If you don’t see your question answered below, be sure to leave it in the comments so I can answer it for you!

Can I use something other than scissors to cut ribbon?

Not really. I’ve tried using other things such as rotary cutters or wire cutters, but they just don’t work well. Rotary cutters get destroyed by the wire in the ribbon, and wire cutters cut the wire well but not the fabric part of the ribbon.

What do I use to attach bows to wreaths?

Ok, you’ve got your bow made, no what? How do you attach them to the wreath? I personally find that zip ties or pipe cleaners work the best. They are easy to use and offer a secure hold.

No matter what you use to secure your bow, you can still use zip ties or pipe cleaners to attach the bow to your wreath.

More Wreath-Making Tools And Resources

If you found this post helpful, you’ll like these posts too:

• 5 Sanity-Saving Small Business Shipping Tips
• How To Calculate The Cost Of Goods Sold For Crafting
• 5 Reasons You Need To Hire A Virtual Assistant
• Great Product Photography Tips For Selling On Etsy

If you’re in need of any help with 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 ruffle wreaths! Please share with us over at the How To Make Wreaths Facebook Group.

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.

Just pin these must-have bow making tools below to find them later!

If you love to craft, check out our Eat. Sleep. Craft. Repeat. t-shirts and click on the picture below!

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