DIY bow making tutorials from The Fancy Crow featuring wired ribbon, layered bows, bow makers, ribbon tails, dovetail cuts, and finishing tips. Learn simple techniques to help you make beautiful bows for wreaths, gifts, lanterns, garlands, home décor, holidays, and special occasions.
A basic wired ribbon bow is one of the most useful bow-making skills to learn. Once you understand how to hold the ribbon, twist it, build your loops, and secure the center, you can use the same basic technique for wreaths, lanterns, signs, gift baskets, door hangers, seasonal décor, and more.
In this tutorial, I am making a basic 9″ bow with 11 loops using a quality 2.5″ wired ribbon. The ribbon shown has a sunflower design on a blue and white buffalo check background with a blue overstitched edge. It is a pretty everyday-to-seasonal ribbon that works beautifully for late summer, fall, farmhouse décor, wreath making, and gift accents.
Watch How to Make a Basic Bow with Wired Ribbon
Supplies Used
Details
Sunflower On Faux Royal 2.5 in Wired Ribbon – Dk Blue/Yellow/Org/Brown ( approximately 3 yards)
White Chenille Stem
Tools Used
Scissors
Cutting Matt or ruler
Bow-Making Tips from the Video
When beginning your bow, the end of the ribbon should be half the diameter of the finished bow or less unless it is one of your tails. In this video, it was not one of the tails. I began with the top layer in this video. Measure the length from the end of the ribbon to the center of your bow, which is half the diameter of the top layer. Pinch or accordion fold your ribbon to bring the wired edges together with the least amount of bulk. From that fold
Creating the top center loop: The center loop can be the same length or smaller than the top layer of loops. In this video, it is slightly smaller.
Ways to Use This Easy Bow
Wreaths
Lanterns
Gift baskets
Door hangers
Floral arrangements
Seasonal displays
Wrapped gifts
Shop
Ready to make your own bow? Shop wired ribbon at The Fancy Crow. We carry ribbon for wreath makers, bow makers, decorators, and creative makers across the U.S.
Directional ribbon can be beautiful, but it can also be a little tricky. Some ribbon designs have a clear right side up and upside down, which means the pattern can accidentally end up facing the wrong direction in your finished bow.
In this quick ribbon tip, I show how to add an American flag ribbon to the center of a patriotic bow so the flag stays right side up.
This finished patriotic bow uses directional American flag ribbon in the center. The video below shows how to place that center ribbon so the flag design is not upside down.
Watch the Directional Ribbon Tip
This video does not show how to make the entire bow from start to finish. Instead, it focuses on one helpful technique: adding directional ribbon to the center of a bow so the design faces the correct way.
This video does not show how to make the entire bow from start to finish. Instead, it focuses on one helpful technique: adding directional ribbon to the center of a bow so the design faces the correct way.
What You’ll Learn
What directional ribbon is
Why some ribbon designs can end up upside down
How to check the direction before attaching the ribbon
How to place an American flag ribbon in the center of a bow
How to use this same idea with other directional wired ribbons
What Is Directional Ribbon?
Directional ribbon is ribbon with a design that needs to face a certain direction. Examples include flags, words, animals, characters, pumpkins, ornaments, and other patterns that have a clear top and bottom.
If the ribbon is turned the wrong way while you are making a bow, the design may look upside down in the finished project. Taking a few seconds to check the direction before attaching the ribbon can make the finished bow look much more polished.
Supplies Used or Mentioned
American flag directional ribbon
Finished bow base
Scissors
Zip tie, wire, chenille stem, or another attachment method
Shop all wired ribbon: https://thefancycrow.com/ribbon/
Where to Use This Technique
Patriotic bows
Wreath bows
Lantern bows
Gift bows
Seasonal bows
Ribbon accents for wreaths and home décor
This is a simple ribbon technique, but it can make a big difference in the finished look of your bow. Once you start noticing directional ribbon, you’ll find it much easier to plan your cuts, loops, tails, and center pieces.
Need ribbon for your next project? Browse wired ribbon at The Fancy Crow: https://thefancycrow.com/ribbon/
A patriotic bow is one of those pieces that can instantly dress up a wreath, lantern, sign, door hanger, centerpiece, or gift. In this DIY bow-making tutorial, I’m showing you how to make a patriotic layered bow with tails using red, white, and blue wired ribbon.
This bow has a full layered look, long ribbon tails, and plenty of texture. It’s perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Veterans Day, summer decorating, Americana décor, and patriotic wreath making.
Watch the Patriotic Bow Tutorial
In this video, I walk you through the process of building the bow, layering different ribbons, twisting the ribbon as you work, and shaping the finished bow.
I use an EM Bow Maker in this tutorial because it helps hold the ribbon in place while building the bow. I also explain the process as I go so you can better understand how the bow is constructed, even if you are not using a bow maker.
What You’ll Learn in This Video
In this tutorial, you’ll see how to:
Layer multiple wired ribbons in one bow
Add long decorative tails
Twist the ribbon so the right side faces forward
Use an EM Bow Maker to help build the bow
Shape and fluff the bow for a fuller finished look
Use a patriotic bow in wreaths, home décor, gifts, and seasonal displays
Supplies Used
For this patriotic layered bow, you’ll need:
Wired ribbon in patriotic colors or patterns
An EM Bow Maker or your preferred bow-making method
Chenille stem, floral wire, or zip tie to secure the bow
Scissors
Wire cutters, if needed
You can use a mix of solid ribbons and patterned ribbons. For this bow, I used red, white, and blue ribbons with stars and patriotic designs to create a full, layered look.
Shop Ribbon and Bow-Making Supplies
The Fancy Crow carries wired ribbon for wreath makers, bow makers, decorators, and makers across the U.S. You can shop our ribbon selection here:
The Fancy Crow is a small creative shop with a serious ribbon selection for wreath makers, bow makers, decorators, and makers across the U.S.
Ways to Use a Patriotic Layered Bow
This bow would be beautiful on:
A patriotic wreath
A front door hanger
A lantern
A mailbox swag
A gift basket
A centerpiece
A memorial display
A Fourth of July or Americana tree
A summer porch display
You can also change the ribbon colors and patterns to use the same bow-making method for other seasons and holidays.
Bow-Making Tip
When making a layered bow, wired ribbon is your friend. It helps the loops hold their shape and makes it much easier to fluff and adjust the finished bow. After your bow is secured, take a few extra minutes to separate the loops, shape the tails, and pull each ribbon forward so every layer can be seen.
Keep Creating with The Fancy Crow
If you enjoy ribbon, wreath making, bow making, and DIY projects, follow along with The Fancy Crow for more tutorials, project ideas, and creative inspiration.
Looking for a quick, simple bow you can make without complicated twisting, measuring, or layering? This tutorial is a perfect place to start because this is The Easiest Bow Tutorial: 5 Bow with 1.5 Wired Ribbon you will ever find.
In this post, I’m excited to share with you The Easiest Bow Tutorial: 5 Bow with 1.5 Wired Ribbon, which is a perfect beginner bow tutorial. I am creating a birthday bow, but you can use any 1.5 wired ribbon to create a small wired ribbon bow.
In this video, I’ll show you how to make one of the easiest bows you can create using 1.5″ wired ribbon. The finished bow is approximately 5″ in diameter and includes 5 loops with 10 tails, with the tails cut about the same length as the loops.
This birthday bow is small, cheerful, and beginner-friendly — perfect for adding a handmade touch to a birthday gift, gift bag, party package, small table decoration, or even a hair clip.
Watch The Easiest Bow Tutorial: 5 Bow with 1.5 Wired Ribbon
About This Bow
For this tutorial, I used a fun birthday balloon ribbon with bright, playful colors. The finished size makes it especially useful for smaller projects where a large bow would be too much.
This bow works well for:
Birthday gifts
Gift bags
Party favors
Small wreath accents
Lantern or basket decorations
Hair clips
Children’s party décor
Package toppers
Because the tails are the same length as the loops, the bow has a cute, rounded shape that feels tidy, balanced, and easy to use.
Supplies Used
For this easy bow, you’ll need:
1.5″ wired ribbon
Scissors
Wire, chenille stem, or floral wire to secure the center
Optional: hair clip, gift bag, package, wreath, or another item to attach it to
Wired ribbon is especially helpful because it allows you to shape the loops and tails after the bow is tied. That little bit of wire along the edges helps the bow hold its shape and look fuller.
Bow Details
Ribbon Width: 1.5″ Finished Bow Size: Approximately 5″ diameter Loops: 5 Tails: 10 Tail Length: Same length as the loops Ribbon Style Used: Birthday balloon ribbon Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
Why This Is a Great Beginner Bow
This is one of my favorite beginner bow styles because it does not require a complicated pattern. It is a simple, repeatable technique that gives you a cute finished bow quickly.
Once you learn this basic bow, you can make it again with different ribbon styles for holidays, birthdays, baby gifts, school gifts, seasonal décor, or everyday packages.
Try it with:
Birthday ribbon
Polka dot ribbon
Floral ribbon
Patriotic ribbon
Christmas ribbon
Pastel spring ribbon
Black and white ribbon for a classic look
The technique stays the same — the ribbon changes the personality of the bow.
Ways to Use This Easy Bow
This small bow is especially nice when you want a handmade accent without overpowering the project.
Add it to a birthday gift bag for a boutique-style finish. Clip it onto a package instead of using a store-bought bow. Attach it to a wreath, basket, or small sign. You could even secure it to a hair clip for a fun birthday accessory.
It is a simple project, but it can make an ordinary gift feel extra special.
Shop Ribbon for Your Own Bow
If you’d like to make your own bow, visit The Fancy Crow online to browse wired ribbon for gifts, wreaths, bows, and DIY projects.
The Fancy Crow is a small creative shop with a serious ribbon selection for wreath makers, bow makers, decorators, and makers across the U.S.
Final Thoughts
This easy bow tutorial is a great starting point if you are new to bow making or just want a quick, useful bow you can make again and again.
Once you learn the basic shape, you can change the ribbon for any occasion and use the same simple technique for gifts, bags, wreath accents, party décor, and more.
