Super Easy Bow Tutorial: Video Included!

If you’re like I used to be, you look at all the beautiful bows on Pinterest and on other people’s decor or gifts and think you just can’t do that on your own. Well, I’m here to tell you that there are some pretty loopy bow styles that anyone can make! Today I’m going to show you how to make this super easy loopy bow, in both a written and video tutorial. Let’s get right into it!

Supplies needed for this easy bow tutorial:

wired ribbon- 2 to 2.5″ ribbon makes a good bow for a wreath or other home decor, but the width of the ribbon is up to you.
pipe cleaner or floral wire

When you’re trying to make an easy bow, you need to start with a good, wired ribbon. When you’re very first starting out with this easy bow tutorial, it’s best to use a double-sided ribbon so that you don’t have to twist it to the front side for every loop. Once you have it down pat, you can use a ribbon with a one-sided print because you’ll be able to twist it a little easier.

Written Tutorial

There is an easy bow video tutorial toward the end of this post, but for those of you who prefer a written tutorial, this section is for you.

First pinch your ribbon at the end, holding it lightly between the side of your thumb and just below the pad of your forefinger.

Create a loop that’s the desired size for your bow. Mine is 3″ wide in this bow which required about 7″ of ribbon.

Forming the 1st loop when making the easy bow.

Pinching the easy DIY bow in the center after forming the first loop.

Next, create a second loop directly across from the first one. Pinch the ribbon back at the start, between the two loops, holding it loosely so that your fingers do not cramp up. Bring the loops up together in the middle to ensure they are the same size.

Pulling the first 2 loops on the easy bow up to the middle to make sure they are the same size.

Turn the ribbon slightly, about 15° and form a third loop.

From the center of your easy DIY bow, bring the ribbon straight across from the third loop and form the fourth loop.

Forming the 4th ribbon on the easy bow so that now it is in an X-pattern.

Pinching the bow in the center & pulling the 4th loop out to make sure it's the same size as the rest of the easy DIY bow.

Now secure the bow in the center with a pipe cleaner. Make sure that you tighten it well so that your ribbon will not come loose. In this photo it looks like I use the end of the pipe cleaner, but I actually use the center. You will need even ends of the pipe cleaner on both sides to finish this easy bow tutorial. Do not cut off the ribbon.

Securing the easy DIY bow in the center with a pipe cleaner.

Next, you will be forming the center of the bow. Bring the ribbon back up and over the center of the bow, covering the pipe cleaner. Pinch the ribbon in the back and secure it with the pipe cleaner again.

Pulling the ribbon around & over the center of the easy DIY bow.

Pulling the ribbon up & around the bow to cover the pipe cleaner & form the small center loop.

Finally, to finish this easy bow tutorial, you will form the tails. Allow the ribbon to drape down from where it is secured in the center the length that you would like your tails to be. Mine are 6″ long. Then bring the ribbon back up to the pipe cleaner, so you will have a 12″ loop or longer depending on how long you want your tails.

Pulling the ribbon back up to the center to form tails on the easy DIY bow.

Bringing the ribbon down & back up to the easy bow to create tails.

Cut off the excess ribbon above the pipe cleaner.

Cutting the excess ribbon off of the easy DIY bow.

Finally, cut your tails into two separate ones by cutting it in the center.

Cutting the ribbon apart at the bottom of the easy DIY bow to form 2 separate tails.

You can now cut the tails either fold them in half and cut a half V to form dove tails or just cut them diagonally. I made mine dove-tailed.

Fluffing the bow at the top of the wreath.

Easy Bow Video Tutorial

Easy Bow Tutorial Video by Niki Kline

That’s it! Didn’t I tell you how easy this bow tutorial was?! Anyone can make this type of loopy bow. You can use it for wreaths, gifts, lanterns, swag, or any home decor really.

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Super easy bow tutorial Pinterest image.

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