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While you are learning this classic method of tying a gift bow, it's definitely best to use woven ribbon - satin fabric ribbon that's fairly stiff works well. The common, papery gift ribbon that most ready-made bows are made of easily splits or shreds, and this method involves cutting the ribbon and putting it under some stress.
To tie a gift bow in the classic style, you'll need:
- About 9 to 15 feet of woven ribbon gift, depending on size of bow
- An 8 - 10 inch length of curling ribbon
- A strong pair of sharp scissors
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| 1) Hold one end of the gift ribbon between the tips of two fingers, extend your thumb and wind ribbon around thumb and back over the fingers. As you wind the ribbon, keep it aligned, untwisted, and uniformly snug on your fingers. | 2) Adjust the ribbon as needed to make a smooth, even circle. Squeeze opposite sides of the circle together in the center, forming 2 loops. Be sure both loose ends of the ribbon extend well toward the looped ends. |
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| 3) Bring the looped ends together, with the loose end of the ribbon on the outside, and fold at the center. Crease tightly, keeping all layers of ribbon in the crease. | 4) From each edge of the center fold, carefully cut away the corners, forming a "V". Cut through all layers of ribbon - but do not cut away the entire fold! |
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| 5) Slip the curling ribbon between the looped ends, around the folded point of the "V", and tie all the layers together, nice and tight, with a square knot. | 6) The knot should be on the same side as the loose end of ribbon - this will be the bottom of the bow. Slip the loops, knot side down, over your left finger and thumb, extended to hold the bow firmly. |
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| 7) From the loop over your finger, pull out the inside layer 90 degrees to your right and twist it firmly toward you. | 8) Change hands and pull the next inside layer to the left side and twist it toward you. Alternating sides, continue working from the inside until all layers have been pulled out and twisted. |
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| 9) Turn the bow, repeat on the other side until all the loops have been pulled out and twisted. | 10) Rearrange the loops as needed to form a nice, symmetrical puff. Pretty, isn't it? |
A few tips when you tie a gift bow (numbered per the above instructions):
- 1) Vary the size of gift bows by varying how far you extend your thumb for winding the ribbon. To tie a gift bow that's larger, wind the ribbon around something wider - perhaps a vase, that's tapered so you can easily slide off the wound ribbon without messing up the circle you've made.
- 3) Take care to line up the loops evenly and fold exactly at the center for gift bows that are round and symmetrical.
- 4) The inside layers may need a little extra trimming, but be sure not to cut away the entire fold - that's what connects the loops to the bow!
- 5) You can use the bow ribbon instead of curling ribbon, if it's not wide or thick - avoid adding bulk at the center of the bow (see #10 below). The loose ends of curling ribbon can be used to tie a gift bow onto a wrapped package. Then you can curl the ends and arrange the curls so they accent the bow. You can also tie in a few more strands of curling ribbon for added accent.
- 6 - 9) For extra large gift bows, slip one looped end over something sturdy (maybe a doorknob) to hold the bow in place as you work.
With a little practice, you'll get the feel of the ribbon and how firmly to pull and twist the loops. - 10) Cutting that "V" provides a space for the loops to get out of each other's way at the base, so you can adjust the loops of the finished bow and see which loop is best held in which position by which other loop.
Get ready for lots of compliments
when you tie a gift bow yourself!
back to Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas
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