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Liz on Call » CRAFTS » Popular Crafts/DIY » How to Make a Big Bow for a Wreath

How to Make a Big Bow for a Wreath

Created On: September 17, 2014  |  Updated: December 8, 2020  |   33 Comments

This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through a  link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

One of my favorite things to do is decorate my door for the holidays.  Wreaths are always great to dress up a door, and sometimes simple wreaths are the best.  A nice touch to a simple wreath is a big bow.  It’s one of the things I love to attach to a wreath.  I have been making these bows for a long time and thought I’d share with you how to make a big bow for a wreath.  Or really any place in your home.How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon - Liz on Call

The supplies you need are simple.  Some wire edged ribbon (I used about 12 ft. for this bow) and a pipe cleaner or two.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

The first thing you do is make the center of your bow by creating a small loop. Keep your thumb inside the loop, holding down the end of your ribbon as you make the rest of the bow.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

From that center loop, create a bigger loop on each side .  Going back and forth while holding the center together.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

This ribbon was easy because it was the same on both sides.  If you are using a wire edged ribbon that has a design on one side, you will have to twist the ribbon at the center of the bow, as you begin to make the loops on each side.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

I make 4 loops on each side.  I try to make them all the same size, but sometimes that doesn’t work and that is why we love the wire edge on the ribbon.  To finish off the bow create one large loop that goes down and will loop back up to the bow.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

Gather the middle of the bow together, insert the pipe cleaner into the center loop and pull it back gathering all the other loops.  Tighten the center of the bow and twist the pipe cleaner together.  Just trim off the end of the ribbon.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

Then you can fluff the bow and spread out the loops to get a look that you like.  You also want to decide how long you want your tails to hang and cut them to the desired length.

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

Then add it to your wreath!  Perfect!

Some people have asked for a printed version of the instructions, so you can now download the printed instructions using the download link below.

How to Make a Big Bow

How to make a big bow for a wreath out of ribbon

Even though I’ve been making these kinds of bows for years, they never turn out 100% perfect.  My loops are rarely the same length, but a lot of the mistakes can be hidden if you use the right kind of ribbon.  It also takes a lot of practice, so don’t give up if your first try isn’t perfect! 🙂  Thinner ribbon can be a little easier to handle too.

Now that you know how to make a single ribbon bow, let’s try our hand at making a double ribbon bow for a wreath.

Now that you know how to make a big bow, where are you going to put it?

Happy Crafting!

Liz

Here is how I used one of these bows in my door decorations last Christmas:

Gift Wrapped Front Door

Front Door Gift Tag 1

Yield: Large Wreath Bow

How To Make a Large Wreath Bow (DIY Step-by Step-Tutorial)

How To Make A Big Bow For A Wreath

Learn how to make a large wreath bow step-by-step with this free and easy DIY tutorial using wired ribbon. Add the bow to a wreath, a mantel, or a tree. To make a double bow, check out this double bow tutorial.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $10

Materials

Bow materials

  • Large wire-edged ribbon design of your choice (12 feet)

Wreath

  • Basic wreath of your choice

Tools

  • Pipe cleaner (2)

Instructions

    1. Make the center of your bow by creating a small loop. 
    2. Keep your thumb inside the loop, holding down the end of your ribbon as you make the rest of the bow.
    3. From that center loop, create a bigger loop on each side, going back and forth while holding the center.**
    4. Make 4 loops on each side of equal size.
    5. Create one large loop that goes down and loops back up to finish tying the bow.
    6. Gather the middle of the bow together, and insert the pipe cleaner into the center loop. Pull it back to gather all the other loops.  
    7. Tighten the center of the bow and twist the pipe cleaner together.
    8. Trim off the end of the ribbon.
    9. Fluff the bow and spread out the loops to get a look that you like. 
    10. Decide how long you want your ribbon tail to hang and cut them to the desired length.***

Notes

*Use whatever ribbon you like or that matches your decor.  As long as you like it, I think that’s what matters.

**If you are using a wire edged ribbon that has a design on one side, you will have to twist the ribbon at the center of the bow, as you begin to make the loops on each side.

***Even though I’ve been making these kinds of bows for years, they never turn out 100% perfect.  My loops are rarely the same length, but a lot of the mistakes can be hidden if you use the right kind of ribbon.  It also takes a lot of practice, so don’t give up if your first try isn’t perfect!   Thinner ribbon can be a little easier to handle too.

© Liz Call
Project Type: Home Decor / Category: Popular Crafts/DIY

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Author Bio
Article Info
Popular Posts
Liz Call

Liz Call

Owner, Art Director and Disney Fanatic at Liz on Call
Liz Call loves to create. At Liz on Call you can find easy and attainable craft, DIY, party and gift ideas. Along with tons of free printables featuring her hand lettering designs and practice sheets. She hopes to inspire others to find something fun in everyday with her simple ideas and recipes.
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Author:
Liz Call
Categories:
  • CRAFTS
  • decor
  • Holiday Decor
  • POPULAR
  • Popular Crafts/DIY
  • tips
Mentions:
tutorial
Keywords:
How to Make a Big Bow
Last Updated:
December 8, 2020
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posted in: CRAFTS, decor, Holiday Decor, POPULAR, Popular Crafts/DIY, tips

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Lynn Butler says

    December 10, 2022

    Thank you! I needed a refresher course on how to make these.

    Reply
  2. kay taylor says

    November 26, 2019

    how to match the bow size with the size of the wreath? My wreath is 16″ in diameter. what size diameter bow should I use?

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      November 26, 2019

      I usually do my bows about 1/2 to 1/3 the size of the wreath diameter. So at least a 6″ to 8″ bow.

      Reply
  3. Donna says

    September 7, 2019

    I cheat using the EZ Bow Maker….lol. It acts as a third hand and is easier for me. What l would like to know is how to you layer bows? I have seen wreaths with a large bow, and a smaller bow made out of a different ribbon placed on top of the large one. I might have seen 3 bows layered. Do you make them both at the same time working with both ribbons or do each one individually? If you keep scrolling down under this post, you will see mesh wreaths with these layered bows. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      November 16, 2019

      I have not done a layered bow. I have done a double ribbon bow and I do that at the same time. You can check that out at https://lizoncall.com/how-to-make-a-double-ribbon-bow-for-a-wreath/

      Reply
  4. Jax says

    December 1, 2018

    I know that this post is from a long time ago but thank you! I made a beautiful now for my wreath today using your tutorial.

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      December 4, 2018

      Oh I’m so glad! I’m happy you found it helpful and can enjoy your hard work!

      Reply
  5. Danielle says

    January 29, 2015

    Thank you for this great tutorial! Can you tell me how wide your ribbon is?

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      January 30, 2015

      Hi Danielle! My ribbon is about 2 inches to 2.5 inches wide. Let me know if you have anymore questions! Thanks.

      Reply
  6. Shawna says

    December 6, 2014

    I must be dumb. I can not figure this out :/

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      December 7, 2014

      Oh no! Don’t say that. It has taken me making lots of bows to get it down. And even now, they sometimes don’t turn out. Is there a particular part you are having an issue with? Maybe I can help you. I have found that wire edged ribbon works best.

      Reply
  7. kay says

    December 3, 2014

    Thank you for making my “bow making” remarkably simple.

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      December 3, 2014

      You are very welcome Kay! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Pamela says

    December 2, 2014

    Liz,

    I want to Thank You for sharing your Awesome bow making instructions. I have tied bows and packages with wired ribbon for many years. I needed to make a bow for a hanging picture and did not know how. Your instructions are wonderful. I know how to make beautiful bows, Thanks to you.

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      December 3, 2014

      Thank you Pamela! I’m glad you found them easy to follow. I appreciate the feed back. They make sense to me, so it’s good to know they make sense to others as well. Happy bow making! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lindsay says

    November 29, 2014

    Beautiful bow! What are the dimensions??

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      December 2, 2014

      Thank you! This particular bow is about 11 inches wide by 8 inches tall. That is the actual bow part, not including the tails.

      Reply
  10. jOAN rEEVES says

    November 23, 2014

    Thanks Liz!

    Reply
  11. Brenda Young says

    November 6, 2014

    Oh I can so definitely use this as a reference, pinning!

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      November 6, 2014

      Thanks for pinning Brenda!

      Reply
  12. Crystal says

    September 17, 2014

    Thank you for the easy and simple tutorial for making a bow. I love big bows. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Liz Call says

      September 18, 2014

      Thanks Crystal! I love making big bows too! Thanks for always taking time leave such sweet comments. Have a great weekend.

      Reply
    • MArylou says

      December 4, 2016

      I have always been afraid to make these… I know that is silly, but following your instructions I was able to make 5 for real wreaths that I added picks to as gifts for my office staff. They turned out pretty good, just like downtown as they used to say! I think I will take this on more often in the future,
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Liz Call says

        December 4, 2016

        Yay Marylou! I’m so glad you did it! I bet your office staff loved them.

        Reply
        • Kathi says

          November 25, 2018

          Thank you for the tutorial! My first bow is beautiful!

          Reply
          • Liz Call says

            November 26, 2018

            Oh this makes me so happy!

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