Make Large Bows Out of Ribbon
Placing bows on gifts and decorations adds a polished finishing touch, but can become pricey. You can make your own large bows out of ribbons in any material and pattern you fancy at a fraction of the cost of premade ones. You can make several at once, so you have them ready whenever you need them. Combine different colored ribbons to create multicolored bows to add an even more eye-catching design element.
Instructions
1. Cut a 3-yard piece of 1 1/2 inch wide (#9) ribbon with sharp scissors. Then hold the ribbon up so it hangs vertically in the air.
2. Turn the top end of the ribbon down and then turn the long end of the ribbon up. You should end up with a loop of ribbon, with the top loose end between the loop and the trailing part of the ribbon.
3. Make sure the loop is 9 inches long by checking its length with a measuring tape and pinch it so it stays together at this length.
4. Wrap the long end of the ribbon around the loop 8 times. Take the scissors and snip of the remaining ribbon that isn't wrapped around the loop.
5. Fold the looped ribbon in half lengthwise so it now measures 4 1/2 inches long.
6. Pinch the center to create a define fold. Leave the loops full and not pressed down.
7. Cut the corners of the flattened end of the loop at 45-degree angles, leaving 1/4 inch of the fold in the center. This 1/4 inch of ribbon will hold the two sides of the loops together.
8. Unfold the ribbon loop and lay it out so it looks like a bow tie.
9. Wrap a twist tie on the very center of the loops around the 1/4 inch of ribbon connecting the two sides. Twist the tie closed very tightly.
10. Start on the right side of the bow to open the loops. Insert your finger inside the loop and pull out the innermost layer.
11. Pull out the innermost loop with your finger and twist it down and away from the other loops.
12. Take the next inner loop out of the right side, using your finger. Pull this loop up and way from the other loops. Continue dispersing the loops, alternating pulling the loops up and down.
13. Turn the bow so the left side becomes the right and release all of these loops in the same way as the others.
14. Adjust the loops of the bow until it is as full as you like.
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