How to make a bow with ribbon for a gift

How do you tie ribbon around a present?

Pick one of three simple patterns. Each one ends with a knot on the lid, ready for a bow.

• Cross. Set the box on the ribbon and bring both ends up to the middle of the lid. Cross them, take each end down the other two sides and under the box, then back up to tie a knot.
• H pattern. Tie a band around the short way of the box, near each end. Then run a third ribbon the long way, under both bands, and tie the bow in the middle of a long box.
• Corner tie. Slip a loop of ribbon around one corner, so it crosses the lid at an angle. Tie the bow near the corner, which uses the least ribbon of the three.

Keep the shiny side of the ribbon facing out. If it flips as you go, turn it back before you pull it snug. A helper can hold a finger on the first knot while you tie the second.

How do you tie a two loop gift bow?

This is the bow most people know from shoelaces. Start from the knot on the lid, with two tails of the same length.

1. Fold the left tail into a loop and hold it upright at the base.

   

2. Wrap the right tail over the front of the loop and around the back.

   

3. Push the right tail through the small gap behind the knot, as a second loop.

   

4. Pull both loops at the same time to tighten the bow.

   

One loop bigger than the other? Hold the knot and gently pull the tail of the smaller loop.

If one loop points up and the other points down, the knot went the same way twice. Untie it and wrap the tail around the loop the other way, and the bow sits flat and holds better.

How do you make a big florist bow with many loops?

A florist bow, the kind on a wreath, is a stack of loops held in the middle. Wide ribbon or wired ribbon works best, because the loops keep their shape.

1. Leave a tail as long as you want it to hang. Pinch the ribbon between your thumb and finger.

   

2. Make a small loop over your thumb for the center.

   

3. Make a loop to one side and pinch it at the center. Give the ribbon a half twist, so the pretty side faces out, and make a loop to the other side.

   

4. Keep going back and forth until there are 3 or 4 loops on each side.

   

5. Slip a piece of thin wire, a twist tie or a pipe cleaner through the center loop. Twist it tight at the back.

   

6. Pull the loops apart and shape them into a round bow. Use the wire ends to tie the bow to the box or a wreath.

   

How do you make a bow with wired ribbon?

Wired ribbon has a thin wire along each edge. The wire holds any shape you bend it into, so loops stay round and tails can wave.

• Use it for big bows. It shines on florist bows, wreaths and large boxes. On a small box, soft satin or grosgrain ribbon ties a neater knot.
• Pinch, do not knot. Wired ribbon is stiff, so gather the center with a twist tie or pipe cleaner instead of a tight knot.
• Shape it last. Once the bow is on the gift, bend each loop open and give the tails a gentle wave.
• Hide the wire ends. After you cut a tail, fold the tip under so the wire cannot scratch.
• Use it again. A wired bow can be pressed flat for storage and shaped again next year.

How do you curl ribbon with scissors?

This works with curling ribbon, the thin and shiny plastic kind. Fabric ribbons like satin do not hold a curl this way.

1. Tie the curling ribbon on the gift and leave long tails.

   

2. Open the scissors and hold them with the sharp edges pointing away from your hand.

   

3. Press the dull side of the ribbon against one blade with your thumb.

   

4. Pull the ribbon quickly across the blade, away from you. It springs into a curl.

   

Keep your fingers clear of the sharp edge, and keep the scissors away from children. A bunch of curled strands tied under a bow makes a quick, full topper.

How do you make a bow out of wrapping paper?

A paper bow uses scraps of wrapping paper, a magazine page or colored paper. It is 9 strips folded into loops and stacked in a star.

1. Cut 9 strips about 3/4 inch (2 cm) wide: three long, three a little shorter, two shorter again and one short piece.

   

2. Curl each end of a strip under to the middle and glue it, so the strip makes a figure 8.

   

3. Stack the three longest loops in a star and glue them. Add the next size on top, then the next.

   

4. Roll the short strip into a ring and glue it in the center.

   

Glue dots, tape or a stapler all hold the loops.

How much ribbon do you need?

For a cross, add up twice the length, twice the width and 4 times the height of the box. Then add extra for the bow.

The last column adds about 12 inches for the bow on a small box. It adds 18 inches on a medium box and 24 on a large one. A yard is 36 inches.

A florist bow needs far more. With loops about 12 inches long, four on each side, plan on about 4 yards.

Not sure? Tie the bow you want in a piece of string, untie it and measure the string.

How do you finish the ends of a ribbon?

Neat ends make the whole gift look tidy. Cut the tails after the bow is tied, so both hang at the length you want.

• V cut, also called a dovetail. Fold the tail in half along its length. Cut at a slant from the open edges up toward the fold, then open it for a V that points into the ribbon.
• Slant cut. Cut across at an angle. It is quick and suits grosgrain and other thick ribbons.
• Stop fraying. Dab the cut edge of a fabric ribbon with clear nail polish and let it dry.

How do you put a bow on a gift bag?

• Through the handles. Thread a ribbon through both handles, pull them together and tie a two loop bow on top. It also keeps the bag closed.
• On one handle. Tie a short bow around the base of one handle and let a few curled strands hang down.
• On the front. Stick a ready made bow or a paper bow to the front of the bag, just below the fold.

For the inside of the bag, see how to put tissue paper in a gift bag. To wrap a box first, follow how to wrap a present.

Can you buy bows already tied?

Yes. A stick on bow has a sticky pad on the back: press it onto the lid or the front of a bag. A pull bow comes flat with 2 strings; hold the base, pull both strings and the loops form.

Neither needs any tying, which helps when there are 20 gifts to finish. See gift boxes and bags for ready bows next to boxes and bags.