Learn how to make a bow with wired ribbon for wreaths, your Christmas tree, or anywhere in your home this holiday season. Then use your new skills to create beautiful bows all year long.

Every since ribbon with a wired edge came on the scene making bows has been a cinch. And nothing dresses up a wreath, gift, or Christmas tree more than a simple bow.

Years ago one of the women in my ladies' group showed me how to make bows and I've been making them like this ever since. If you're not used to making bows I hope this post will show you just how easy it is. I've even attempted to make a video for this one.

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Supplies You'll Need

A Spool of wired ribbon - approximately 7 feet
Wire - 10 inches
Pair of scissors

Small loop of red ribbon held in left hand.

Making A Bow with Wired Ribbon

Here I'm using a satin ribbon. It has a shiny side and a matte side. You will need a long length of ribbon approximately 7 feet to make this DIY bow.

Start at the end and make a small center loop, gather and pinch it behind with your finger and thumb on your left hand. This will be the center of the bow.

Left hand holding the end of a spool of red ribbon with a loop.

Then twist the ribbon in the back until the shiny side is showing.

A hand holding ribbon with a small loop and two larger loops on each side.

Make a loop and hold it in the back with the small loop. Then twist again and make a loop on the left about the same width as the first loop.

Continue twisting the ribbon in the back and making loops until you get three on one side and three on the other.

Adding extra ribbon to a bow to make tails.

Then add some ribbon at the bottom for tails, folding it in half and bringing the end up to the back with the loops. Then cut the ribbon from the spool.

Adding a piece of wire to the back of a red bow.

Thread a wire through the small loop and around all the pieces in the back. Twist tightly to secure all of the loops and the tails.

A crumpled large red bow and a pair of scissors.

Next, cut the folded ribbon at an angle to create two tails.

A large six loop red bow with two tails.

Now you can fluff up the loops and tails until you like the way it looks.

A large red satin bow on a fresh greens wreath hanging on the front door.

Use the wire to attach the perfect bow to your Christmas wreath and hang it on your front door, or use it as a tree topper. You can make them as big or small as you want.

Today there are so many different types of ribbon. You could use burlap ribbon or the ever popular buffalo check ribbon. No matter what type of ribbon you choose I'm sure you'll be able to make a beautiful ribbon bow for your holiday decor in no time.

More DIY Wrapping Ideas

5 from 1 vote

How to Make a Bow with Wired Ribbon

Here's an easy bow tutorial for all kinds of applications and crafts with easy step by step instructions.

Active Time10

Total Time10

Course: Home Decor Projects

Yield:

Author: Patti Estep

Cost: $5 -10

Equipment

pair of sharp scissors

Materials

Wire edge ribbon - approximately 7 feet
Floral wire or a pipe cleaner - 10 inches

Instructions

Make a small loop at the beginning of the ribbon and pinch it together in the back.
Then twist the ribbon in the back making sure the right side (shiny or printed) is showing, and make a loop.
Keep holding and pinching the small loop and the end of the longer loop in your left hand.
Twist the ribbon again and make a loop on the left side of the small loop just like the one on the right.
Continue making loops on the right and then the left until you have six loops. Three on the right side and three on the left side.
Next, bring some ribbon down the middle for tails and fold it before bringing it up with all the other loops in the center.
Now you can cut the ribbon from the spool.
Thread a piece of wire through the small loop encasing all the loops and the end of the ribbon in the back. Twist the ribbon tightly.
Cut the folded ribbon below on an angle to form two tails.
Play around with the loops until you get the look that you like.
Tie the bow onto a wreath, tree, or a wrapped gift, and enjoy.

Notes

Try this method with different size ribbons. You don't have to use a wide ribbon. You can use a thin ribbon to make smaller bows.

You can also use this method on regular ribbons such as grosgrain ribbons but it will be slightly harder to work.