| Ribbons and Bows |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-413 |
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Q: Please don't think I'm silly, but I'd like to learn to make pretty bows for packages. Can you teach me? A: (DIY pro crafter, Debbie Stapely) There's more than one way to tie a bow, so here are some suggestions for creatively using ribbon to get some professional-looking results.
Rosette Bow The rosette bow may look complicated, but it's actually easy to make. Here are the steps: - Use wire-edged ribbon, and cut some pieces in graduated lengths (figure A). For a bow of this size, start with a piece about 20" long.
- Expose the wire at the edge of the ribbon on both ends. On one end, bend the wire back to create an anchor. On the other end, begin pulling the wire to gather the ribbon (figure B) creating a scalloped edge.
- Cut off the excess wire, and bend back the end.
- Arrange the gathered ribbon to create circular forms (figure C). You can hot-glue the ends of the circles together if you like, but it's not necessary.
- Create the ringed ribbon forms in graduated sizes, and stack and hot-glue them together -- from largest on the bottom to smallest on the top (figure D).
- To create a small center to the "flower," simply roll a small piece of ribbon and insert it into the center (figure E).
Picture Bow The picture bow is another simple bow to make. Here are the steps: - Use two pieces of ribbon. In this case, it does not need to be wire-edged ribbon. For the size bow made in our demonstration, one piece of ribbon was 30" in length, and the other was 15".
- Accordion-pleat the longer piece so that there are two loops on each side, and making sure that the end pieces are flipped to the inside (figure F).
- Fold the shorter piece in half, and place the accordion-folded ribbon on top of it (figure G).
- Using a short piece of wire, create a wire "necklace" where the two ribbons intersect (figure H).
- Wrap the loose ends of the wire so that they are folded around to the back side of the ribbons (figure I).
- Gently tug and tighten the wire necklace to finish the bow (figure J). Twist the ends of the wire in the back to secure the bow.
- Follow the same pattern as the wire using a smaller piece of ribbon in a color or shade that complements the larger ribbon (figure K).
Simple Bow - For the typical "bow-maker's bow," all you need to do is gather some ribbon in a "loop, pinch and twist" technique following these basic steps:
- Hold the end of the ribbon so there's a short span between your fingers.
- Loop the short length of ribbon once and pinch it where it meets (figure L ).
- Twist, make another loop and pinch again (figure M).
- Keep repeating this "loop, pinch and twist" technique until you get a gathered bow with about six loops that you're holding from the center (figure N).
- Secure the center from underneath with a piece of wire, and tie it together with a short piece of ribbon.
- This small, simple bow can be used on a package or incorporated into a boutonniere.
Boutonnieres - To make a simple boutonniere, use a small bow like the one described above.
- Take a couple of attractive flower blossoms such as a daisy and some smaller filler-flowers, with the stems cut short.
- Wrap the stems together using florist's tape.
- Secure the simple bow to the stems using the wire support underneath. Wrap the wire to the flower stems using florist's tape, to finish the boutonniere (figure O).
- An alternate method is simply to wrap the stems of some cut flowers in an attractive, small arrangement using some wire-edged ribbon in a color that complements the flowers (figure P).
RESOURCES :
Elegant Ribboncraft
Model: 0891346635
Author: Christine Kingdom
North Light Books
March 1995
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Glorious Ribbons
Model: 0801984858
Author: Christine Kingdom
September 1993
Chilton Book Company
Westchester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-738-9280
Fax: 610-738-9354
Old-Fashioned Ribbon Trimmings and Flowers
Model: 0486275213
Author: Mary Brooks Picken
Ribbon Trims
Model: 1561583081
Author: Nancy Nehring
Ribbonwork : Decorative Ideas to Embellish the Home
Model: 1842152300
Author: Lisa Brown
Ribbons: Stylish, Spring Ideas
Model: 0754805972
Author: Beverly Jollands
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