Skip to main content

Make Your Own Beautiful Bows

Bow complete!
An inexpensive way to decorate for any holiday or gifts is to make your own bows. There are different methods for this project but this is my favorite, because it's easy! My 9 year old granddaughter helps me make these bows!
Here We Go!
  • You will need about 3 yards of ribbon for each bow. I use the wire-edged ribbon, it's easier to work with. You can choose any width but it's fun to use different sizes then your bows will be different sizes. I always buy my ribbon on sale and the large 90 feet rolls are a great value. You can find them at Hobby Lobby for 50% off, the cost is then $5.00 a roll. You can make about 10 bows from one roll.
  • Start by measuring 3 yards of ribbon and cut your ribbon off the roll.
  • Roll the ribbon (loosely) into a circle. The first end of the ribbon can be stapled or taped to the ribbon next to it so it will stay in place. Keep wrapping until your 3 yards of ribbon is in a circle. I like to roll mine in a 5 or 6 inch circle, but you can choose the size you want.
  • Once your ribbon is in a circle, flatten it with your hands and fold it in half.
  • Cut a small triangle of ribbon off the folded end of the ribbon, toward the middle. You will do the same to other side. At the bottom of the folded ribbon, it will sort of look like the letter "v".
  • There are 2 ways to do the next step, in the middle of the flattened ribbon, gently separate the 2 pieces and place a either a pipe cleaner or another piece of ribbon (about 12 inches long). This will be the middle of the two sides. Then tie this ribbon piece rather tightly or twist the pipe cleaner. I used ribbon for my bow.
  • You are now ready to start pulling the ribbon apart. I usually start with the pieces on the inside and work my way out. Gently grab a piece of the ribbon and pull it out and twist. Do this until all of the ribbon pieces are pulled out, then do the same thing on the other side. 
  • When all of the pieces are pulled out and twisted, put the finishing touches on your bow. This is when you will appreciate the wire-edged ribbon because you can reshape your bow to perfection!
I hope the steps in the pictures will help you make your beautiful bows. Good luck and happy bow making!
I used 2 inch wire-edged ribbon for this bow

measure 3 yards - roll it in a circle


staple the first edge of the ribbon to the piece next to it

after your circle, flatten your ribbon circle

fold the ribbon circle in half
cut the corners off the folded end
gently separate the folded ribbon and tie another piece of ribbon in the middle

start pulling each piece of folded ribbon out, then twist

I used bows to decorate my Christmas tree








 Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread.  1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins.  Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk an...
Read more

Grilled Orange Roughy

My favorite food choices are often related to family memories, so I wanted to share one of our favorite grilled fish recipes. Our Dad used to take us fishing and we grew up eating the fish we caught ourselves. Then came the time when we had to start buying fish, I searched for types of fish that didn't taste too "fishy". It's hard to accomplish that in the Midwest, we don't always have many choices. We were introduced to orange roughy during a trip to San Diego where my great-uncle treated us to some of the most wonderful seafood we had ever eaten at an establishment called Anthony's. It was the first time we had eaten orange roughy and it was white, flaky and not too fishy tasting. After a few experiments, this is my favorite method to prepare it at home. Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers! Ingredients: 4 orange roughy fillets 1/4 c fresh cilantro, I use a small handful * if you are not a cilantro fan use fresh dill, about 1/4 c chopped 2 tsp garlic powder o...
Read more

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar...
Read more