1) A 24" length of ribbon will make a 5" graduated-loops bow with 3 layers (pictured). With one end of the gift ribbon, form a center loop approximately 1" in diameter. Hold it in place with thumb and forefinger, allowing the rest of the ribbon to extend away from you.
	2) Feed the ribbon down and back toward you, making a second, larger loop beneath the center loop. Slip the ribbon between your thumb and forefinger to hold it in place under the center loop. Now the rest of the ribbon extends toward you.
	3) Feed the ribbon underneath and back to the center, forming another loop that matches loop #2 above. Now you have one layer of loops beneath the center loop.
	4) Repeat Steps #2 and #3, increasing the size of the loops for the third layer. For a larger graduated loops bow, you can make additional layers, each one extending beyond the one above it.
	5) Adjust and straighten as needed to center the layers and to line up the ribbon edges. Staple the layers together from inside the center loop, or tape through the center loop and around all layers beneath it.

Tips and gift ribbon techniques for Graduated Loop gift bows:

• As a rule of thumb, the longer the bow (i.e., the larger the loops and/or the more layers of loops you make), the wider the ribbon should be. You can vary the size of the center circle for tiny or extra large graduated loop bows. Consider the size and shape of the gift, and let your artistic eye be your guide!



• While you're learning, feed the ribbon from the spool as you make the bow, and then cut the ribbon. Making a pre-cut ribbon come out even can take several tries at adjusting the loop sizes and the number of layers.



• For a more tailored bow, flatten the loops, then cut a piece of ribbon about 2"-3" longer than your bow, and cut notches in the ends. Center and attach the notched piece at the bottom of the bow.



• Double-stick tape is best for affixing these gift bows to a package. Or, you can make a circle of regular tape, sticky-side out.



• For ribbon with one-sided pattern - cut 4", 8", and 12" lengths of ribbon and tape into circles, right side out. Flatten (don't fold) the larger circles, keeping taped ends at the center, and stack them by size. Place the smallest circle (unflattened) at the center on top. Staple or tape the layers together through the inside of the small circle.



• Graduated Loops gift bows are well suited to long, narrow gifts, and they look good set diagonally near the corner on rectangular gifts. For variety, I like to stand a fairly flat box on its side - these narrow gift bows are perfect when the side or end of a box becomes the "top." They also look elegant atop the handles of gift baskets.



• Graduated Loops gift bows can be used to embellish other bows (see below).

	1) Cut a length of ribbon about twice as long as you want the finished gift bow to be. Place the ribbon horizontally in front of you and grasp one end with each hand, thumbs on top. If the ribbon is curved from being on a spool, begin with the ends curved upward.
	2) Rotating both ends of the ribbon toward you, lay the ends side by side (thumb-side down) on the table. Much like bringing a scarf over someone's shoulders, the center point of the ribbon should stand up on its edge; the tails should lie flat.
	3) Cross one end of the ribbon over the other to complete the loop. Adjust the angle of crossing and the length of the tails to please your eye, and hold in place with a staple or double-stick tape.
	4) Trim the ends of the tails at an angle, or perhaps an attractive V-shape. Affix the gift tag and/or a decoration at the crossing point. The small graduated-loop gift bow in the picture is a perfect finishing touch.

Tips and gift ribbon techniques for One-Loop Foldover gift bows: