5 Best Video Tutorials of 2014: #5 How To Make a Wire Edged Ribbon Bow

All week we are going to be counting down our most popular DIY videos of 2014. Our week is starting with our fifth most popular video: How to Make a Wire Edged Ribbon Bow. We are so excited to share this one with you again because there are so many different uses for this quick and easy technique. These elaborate bows are expensive when you purchase them pre-made and then you are still limited to the small selection available. Once you learn how to do them yourself the possibilities will be endless because you can start making them with any wire edged ribbon you want.

Supplies:

Wire Edged Ribbon (2 Spools)
Floral Wire
Sharp Scissors

Step 1:

Hold the tail of the ribbon between your thumb and your forefinger, leaving an inch of it past the center point for the final cinching.

Step 2:

Make your first loop, which should measure about four or five inches from your thumb to the far edge of the loop. Make a matching loop on the other side. Every time you pass your thumbs use them to hold all layers together. This is your foundation pair of loops so make sure they are the size you want and that both loops are even in size.

Step 3:

Repeat step two until you have three loops on each side of the bow. Each pair should be equal in size but slightly smaller than the pair before it. Each set is going to continue gradually getting smaller.

Step 4:

Make one final small loop right in the center of the ribbon, holding it together with your thumb and forefinger, just like all of the other layers of your bow. Cut off the excess ribbon with your free hand.

Step 5:

Cut a 1-foot piece of floral wire. Pass it through the center of your bow and twist the two ends as tight as you can in the center back. This is securing all layers so it is essential that it is both centered and tight. Do not cut off the excess wire. You will want to use it to adhere the bow to the tree, plant, package, or vase that you are decorating. If all you want is a ribbon, then go ahead and skip ahead to step 7. If you want to add tails to your ribbon, move on to step 6.

Step 6:

Cut a 1-yard length of the same ribbon. Fold it in half and secure it to the back of the bow by twisting it with the same floral wire. Decide how long you want each tail and cut an inverted “V” shape into the ends.

Step 7:

Fluff your finished ribbon by placing your fingers in each and every loop, fanning them out, and then shaping the wire in the eyes to make a 3-dimensional loop. The wire sewn into the edge of your ribbon will help you do this and help the ribbon maintain it’s shape for a long time to come. Keep shaping until the bow has the nice, full look you desire.

Be sure to check back every day this week for the rest of our countdown.

If you loved this tutorial check out the rest of our top 5!