How to Tie a Bow.  A floral bow is one that has a variety of loop sizes. The larger loops are around the outside of the bow and the sizes gradually get smaller towards the center. They may have as few as four to eight loops or as many as twenty to thirty loops. The loops are spread apart to make the shape oval or round and tails are generally hanging below.

Making a Floral Bow 1. Pinch the ribbon and make a loop leaving the tail the desired length. 2. Continue making loops gradually increasing the size of the loops until the bow is full and you have enough ribbon left to make the other tail. 3. Secure the center of the bow with wire. 4. Fan out the loops. 5. Cut the tails at an angle or in points to finish off the bow.

 

Making Layered Bows

The layered bow is two (or more) separate bows, of various sizes, stacked on top of each other. They can be glued in place or held together by twisting all the wires together. Usually each bow is a different color, texture or pattern in addition to being a different size. The bottom bow or bows can be a floral or loopy type bow. The top bow should have a center loop to cover the wire, as done in the wreath bow.

1. Make a floral or loopy bow (see above). If layering more than two bows, make additional floral or loopy bows. Each one should be slightly smaller than the last. 2. Make a wreath bow, slightly smaller than the smallest floral or loopy bow. 3. Lay the smaller bow over the center of the larger bow and connect the wires by twisting them together under the larger bow.

How to make a Basic Bow

1. Using three yards ribbon measure about 7" for the first tail. Squeeze the ribbon together and hold it with your thumb and forefinger.

2. With the right side of the ribbon facing out make a loop on one side using 6-7" of ribbon. Pinch the ribbon together and hold it with your thumb and forefinger. as before.

3. Make a full twist of the ribbon so the right side is facing  out and make a loop towards the other side.

4. The second and third sets of loops should be progressively smaller than the first set. Make a fourth set of loops still smaller than the first three. Be sure to fully twist each loop so that the right side of the ribbon is always facing out.

5. Twist the remaining ribbon around your thumb to make the center loop. Adjust the tail so the right side of the ribbon is facing out. INsert a piece of wire through the center and twist it tightly at the back of the bow. 

6. Spread out the loops and cut the ends of the tails at sharp angles or inverted V's

A variation of the basic bow, the oversize bow creates a wonderful bow for large wreaths , sprays and wall pieces. By adding an extra set of tails there is more ribbon to arrange around your wreath or use as a pew bow.

1. Refer to yardage chart (below) to determine the correct amount of ribbon to use.

2. Follow the directions for the basic bow (above)

3. Use two wires together through the center. The second wire adds extra strength and the holds the additional tails. (see illustration below)

How to make a bow making board

	Create bows like the florists. Make a bow making board with a sheet of foam core board.
	Use a floral knife to cut a straight line approximately 4 inches long in a 2 foot sheet.  It is best to make this cut twice so that it is not too tight. You will be sliding your ribbons down this cut and forming bows. You will want it wide enough so you can pull the finished bow out easily.
	Slide your ribbon into the slit in the board and slowly add more loops to it. Make each loop smaller as you build the bow. When you are done, carefully pull it out and add bow tying wire to the middle of the bow.

Ribbon Instruction: See next lesson

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