A wreath bow is a large round cluster of bows that really livens up a wreath and adds a lot of color.
The easiest way to make a wreath bow is to use a bow maker. I always struggled to make bows until I took a few inexpensive craft supplies and made my own bow maker. Here is how I use my bow maker to make a wreath bow. You can read about how I made my bow maker here.
What you need to make a Wreath Bow
Here is what I used to make my wreath bow.
- Your bow maker!
- Scissors
- a zip tie or pipe cleaner – I found the lowest prices on zip ties at Dollar Tree and Harbor Freight.
- a piece of wire or a pipe cleaner
- Wire edged ribbon in varying widths – I purchased my ribbons at several different stores; Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby and Joanne’s.
How to make a Wreath Bow with a Bow Maker
- Begin with deciding how big you want your bow to be from side to side and how many loops you want to make of each ribbon. If you want your bow to measure 8 inches and have 1 loop on either side, you will need at least 24 inches of ribbon (three times the desired size). If you want your bow to measure 8 inches and have 2 loops on either side, you will need at least 40 inches of ribbon (five times the desired size). Do NOT cut your ribbon yet!
- Use your widest ribbon first. Place the spool on the end dowel of your bow maker. Thread the end of the ribbon between the two dowels in the center of your bow maker. If your ribbon is NOT reversible, twist the ribbon at the middle point where it passes between the dowels. Lay the ribbon flat and pleat the ribbon between the dowels.
- Loop the ribbon back through the dowels at the center until you have a loop that is the desired size. If your ribbon is NOT reversible, twist the ribbon at the middle point where it passes between the dowels.
- Make the loop on the other side, and once again pass the ribbon through the dowels at the center of the bow maker. Continue this until you have the desired number of loops.
- Cut the spool of ribbon from the bow.
- Continue adding ribbons with different colors and patterns, as the width of the ribbon being used gets smaller, make the loops smaller. You may also position the ribbons so they are at different angles. You can see in the picture below that I used lots of different ribbons. I think there are a total of six different ribbons in my wreath bow.
- Once you have used all your ribbons, lift the bow up a bit and add a pipe cleaner or piece of wire in the horizontal direction. Pick up the bow and the wire. I used a pipe cleaner for my wreath bow.
- Wrap a pipe cleaner, wire or zip-tie around the middle of the bow and tighten it securely at the back of the bow.
- Fluff the loops on your bow and adjust their angles until you bow makes you happy!
- Use the wire or pipe cleaner (see step 7) to attach your bow to your wreath.
