Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Pretty Ribbons


These beautiful bows are my favorite this season. They are outrageous to buy them, and you know that would never work for me! So I learned how to make them myself, when I bought a gift earlier this year at a beautiful boutique. I asked her to show me how, and she was so nice that she did!
You will need ribbon that is at least 3/4 inch wide, I like white because I can use it year round. First you make a big loop with the ribbon, and then keep going around and around and around. The more ribbon you use, the fuller and prettier the ribbon will be. For small bows you can use as little as 5 feet, but for big ones I suggest up to 5 yards. The average size bow needs about 8 feet of ribbon.
Once you have it all looped together, try to make the ends even, so the tails will be even. Next squish the ends together, so that you can determine the middle of the ribbon bunch.
Fold tightly so that you have a good crease as a cutting guideline. Next cut a long notch into each side, cutting about a third of the way into each side, so that you have about a third left in the middle. Next take a small piece of the same ribbon and tie it tightly around the skinniest part of the notch.
The next step takes a little practice and patience, but you will get it, I promise! Grab one side for leverage, and starting with the innermost loop of the loose side, pull down the loop tightly, pinch it at the base and twist it once or twice. Each time you pull the next loop, twist it the opposite way to give diversity. When all of your loops are twisted and turned, fluff and pull them until you have it just right.
It seems like a slow process until you have a few under your belt. Once you have it down pat, I suggest looping and tying a bunch at once, then twisting them and fluffing. To attach them to the gift, simply use self stick name tags and use the tails of the bow (after you pull them together and trim them neatly if needed) and put the name tag on top of the bow, using it like tape to hold the bow on. So easy, so elegant, so cheap! I made about 20 of these bows for a $2.25 spool of ribbon bought at Big Lots. I saw the same bows at a "frilly store" here in town for $2 for 3 of them. They turned out so very pretty.
Now go sit and watch your favorite Christmas movie and twist, turn and tie away. (Make sure to practice first so you don't miss the movie!) See what works for other people over at Rocks in My Dryer. To see how other people pull off being frugal, check out Biblical Womanhood.

20 comments:

Belle- Pink Cupcake said...

love the ribbon! Thanks for the award!

Anonymous said...

How cool is that, I'm trying it for sure :) thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

That was very helpful! I always have a hard time with bows!

mub said...

This is how I learned to make bows too, and it works -so- well!

Anonymous said...

Very nice--I am inspired to try this. I'm not naturally crafty, but maybe...

Anonymous said...

Looks pretty straight forward, I'll try it! PS I agree, your blog IS fabulous, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I think I could actually make these. Thanks for sharing the instructions.

Renee

Anonymous said...

This is my first visit to your blog, I think. Thanks for the bow tutorial, it was very helpful. xoxo

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Pretty bows! Love the "snow" falling on your blog! Thanks for stopping by to see my necklace/garland.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

You are so crafty! I feel like I would be all thumbs if I tried a project like this...but they do turn out so pretty!
Carrie

Ms. Tee said...

I can't believe you made all of your pretty bows for $2.25 - that's great! They turned out really pretty - I'm wondering if I can do it... :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome bows! I hsave tried this before, but I am not to good at it...perhaps I will be inspired by you to give it another go!

Tamara Jansen said...

Thanks for the reminder....I have to make 20 bows tonight for some poinsettia plantes going out tomorrow......wanna help out?

Kelly said...

My neighbor taught me how to make these bows last year and NOW I am a bow-making fool.

You're right, though...what they charge for them in the decorator stores is outrageous!

Southern Charm said...

I can make bows but they are always such a struggle for me. Good for you for learning to make them. Love your blog, thanks for dropping by.

n*stitches said...

Thank you so much for posting that tutorial!!

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

That is exactly how I make bows!!
Gret tutorial!

black betty said...

you make that look so easy, but i could NEVER do it!!! :P

misscassiecass said...

thank you for the comment about my daughter :) I found out too how to make my own bows to make money, but I do it for my daughters hair bows. Boutique bows cost sooo much!!! Its so cheap and easy to do yourself. Good post!!

Beth's Blog said...

I Love those bows! They are very pretty. I wish I was more crafty like that.