Decorative elements made of ribbons are irreplaceable at any celebration. They bring fresh notes and a festive mood to the atmosphere. To ensure that the fun is not marred by anything, you need to decide in advance how to tie a bow so that it looks impressive and does not come undone at the most inopportune moment. There are many techniques for creating an original element, among them there are the simplest and fastest methods. Having mastered the features of performing one or another method, you will be able to form stylish decorations that can be placed on headbands, hats, women's handbags.
Selecting a tape
Ribbons are made from a variety of materials. When choosing, you need to be guided by their advantages and disadvantages:
- Satin is a beautiful smooth fabric used to decorate shoes, bed linen, and clothing. Advantages: aesthetic appeal, wear resistance, and durability. Disadvantage: frays at the cuts.
- Organza - used to create embroidery, decorate accessories. Pros - attractive shine, rigidity, transparency, durability. Cons - becomes creased when stored in a crumpled form, difficult to cut.
- Fatin - looks like a mesh with small cells, can be soft and hard, used for decorating interior items, clothes. Advantages - holds its shape well, does not wrinkle, withstands multiple washings, dries quickly. Disadvantages - melts near heating elements, accumulates static electricity.
- Rep - suitable for various creative works, clothing decoration. Pros - reliability, rigidity, density, shape retention, durability. Cons - demanding care.
- Capron - is intended for decorating wardrobe items, interior decoration. Pros - strength, elasticity, resistance to chemical compounds. Cons - deforms at high temperatures.
- Paper — used to create gift packaging. Pros — ease of production and application of images, environmental safety. Cons — low load capacity, fragility.
- Lace - suitable for decorating clothes, interior items, gift wrapping. Pros - airiness, delicacy, lightness, originality of the pattern, practicality. Cons - difficult to care for, requires careful use.
- Cotton material - used in interiors and for clothing trim. Pros - softness, hypoallergenic, easy to care for. Cons - low elasticity, easily soiled, tendency to wrinkle.
Satin ribbon is used more often than others. The material has an attractive appearance, noble shine and durability. These properties compensate for minor fabric flaws.








What tools and decor will you need?
In addition to ribbons, you will need additional tools to create beautiful bows with your own hands. The list of necessary tools includes:
- Metal ruler. Used to measure the required sections, create shaped elements.
- Scissors. No type of needlework can do without this item. It is important to use a well-sharpened tool, otherwise the cuts will be sloppy.
- Tweezers. It is better to prepare a couple of options, one of which will have curved edges. These tools are used to fix folded ribbons, fixing the cuts over the flame.
- Glue gun. It is recommended to use rods with a diameter of 7 mm, with their help all the elements of the composition are quickly assembled.
- Floristic wire. Used to fix individual parts, maintain a given shape.
A ribbon bow is often complemented with a variety of decorative elements. These can be rhinestones or beads, which give the products a special charm. Miniature artificial flowers made of fabric, stickers in the form of water droplets, hearts, snowflakes or funny animals look attractive.
Main types of bows
Before tying a bow, the required amount of ribbon is prepared. For large compositions you will need 2–3 m of material, for medium ones – 50–100 cm, for small ones – from 11 cm. To make bows yourself, use step-by-step master classes.
Terry bow
To make such decoration, it is advisable to take a strong, fairly rigid fabric that will hold its shape well. You need to follow the instructions:
- the tape is rolled into several rings of the desired size;
- the rings are carefully smoothed out and cut diagonally;
- the elements are folded so that the cuts are in the middle of the composition;
- the slits are tightened with tape or floral wire;
- The rings straighten out in both directions and fluff up.
You can tie a beautiful terry bow or pom-pom from a wide or narrow ribbon. It is best suited for creating gift wrap.
Classical
One of the most popular options. You can use a narrow or wide ribbon about 20 cm long. In the second case, you get luxurious large compositions. The instructions will help you tie it correctly:
- The edges of the tape are burned with fire, then it is folded in half with the smooth side inward. The ends are bent.
- The product is taken so that the loops are located on top and the fold is on the bottom.
- The elements intersect, forming a ring underneath them, through which one loop is passed.
- The knot is tied.
Most often, satin ribbons are used to create a classic bow. Ready-made compositions are used to decorate clothing items, interiors, and gift boxes.
Strict
A stylish bow is suitable for formal and business events. It is tied from three ribbons of different colors. It is done as follows:
- The first strip, 3 cm wide and 18 cm long, is rolled into a ring, the edges are glued together. The resulting figure is folded so that the seam is located in the center of the bottom part.
- The workpiece is carefully ironed.
- The second ribbon of a different color, 3 cm wide, 7 cm long, is wrapped across the ring and secured with glue.
- The third, thinnest tape, 7 cm long, is wrapped around the workpiece in the central part, glued and ironed.
A beautiful bow is suitable for decorating women's accessories, dresses, and gifts. To make the product look elegant, it is necessary to use satin ribbons and select colors that harmonize with each other.
Double
Looks attractive, suitable for decorating clothes, bags, hairpins, gift wrapping. The bow should be tied according to the instructions:
- two rings are made from ribbon, you can take different colors;
- the edges are sealed, resulting in the formation of a “middle”;
- the elements are folded in the middle, sewn or glued;
- The central part is closed with a pre-made part.
To add layers, one ribbon is folded many times, and the other is shaped into a bow. The elements can be connected with a piece of fabric.
To make a double bow, you will need a wide or medium ribbon - 2.5-5 cm. A narrow variety will make the product less attractive.
Tiered
To make it, you will need three types of satin ribbon of different widths and a small piece of narrow tape to secure the structure. The colors should be different, but in harmony with each other. The step-by-step algorithm will help you figure out how to tie a bow beautifully:
- the ribbons are folded lengthwise, and triangular cutouts are made at the ends;
- the stripes are superimposed on each other, starting with the widest and ending with the narrowest;
- the middle is wrapped with the remaining ribbon and tied into a knot.
The long ends can be used to attach a bow to a bottle or gift wrap. The option is also suitable for decorating various crafts.
Two-tone
It is made from two ribbons, painted in different shades, you will need a wide and a narrow strip. You need to follow the instructions:
- a loop is formed from a wide ribbon, the edges are glued together;
- similar manipulations are performed with a narrow segment;
- The elements are folded, smoothed with fingers, and fixed with glue.
To complete the composition, use a third ribbon, the length of which will be sufficient to secure it to a gift or clothing. It is recommended to tie a bow from a satin ribbon.
Dior
It has a festive, formal look and is often used to decorate gifts, set tables or as a stylish accessory. A lush bow is created as follows:
- a long strip is taken, small coils are formed from it, which are laid on top of each other;
- gradually the diameter of the curls decreases, down to 1–2 cm;
- The composition is secured with a thinner strip made of the same material.
The connecting ribbon is passed through the last, smallest turn, but so that it is hidden under its upper part. This same element is used to attach the finished bow to various surfaces and crafts.
Flower
At first glance, the composition seems complicated, but anyone can design it themselves. To tie a bow beautifully, you need to do the following:
- the tape is folded into layers of equal length;
- The last turn is completed in the central part, leaving a small margin;
- small indentations are cut out on both sides;
- the middle is wrapped with floral wire for secure fastening;
- create a three-dimensional form.
To form a bow in the shape of a flower, you need to take a ribbon of medium width. Semi-synthetic will be a suitable material.
Chrysanthemum
In appearance, the "chrysanthemum" is somewhat reminiscent of the terry version, but is made differently. You can create a large bow as follows:
- the tape is bent into several rings;
- the elements are carefully smoothed out;
- the workpiece is fixed with wire;
- folded loops create uniform cuts;
- "petals" straighten out.
This technique is often used on paper ribbons, and the finished bows are used to decorate gifts.
In the kanzashi technique
A beautiful festive bow to decorate your hair can be made using the kanzashi technique. The work is carried out in stages:
- The satin or rep ribbon is cut into strips 11 cm long. For a lush product you will need at least 50 pieces.
- A piece of material is folded in half with the smooth side inward, glued, then turned inside out and folded again.
- The ends of the piece are folded into a bow, the edges are straightened and processed using fire.
- The middle is decorated with beads or rhinestones.
- Similar actions are performed with the remaining pieces of tape.
- A circle with a diameter of 5 cm is cut out of felt. The finished “petals” are glued onto it.
After fixing all the elements, the bow is glued to a regular hair elastic. It can also be used to decorate interior elements.
The Easiest Ways to Make a Bow
Quite original techniques are often used to create beautiful compositions. For example, you can tie a bow using an ordinary fork:
- a 6 mm wide satin ribbon is folded in a ratio of 1:3;
- the bend is applied to the fork edge;
- the short end remains in front;
- the long edge is threaded from below between the middle teeth, carried upwards, and returned to the same place;
- then the tip is threaded through the loop parallel to the remaining segment, but in the opposite direction;
- the knot is tightened.
After the ribbon bow is tied, the edges need to be held over the fire for a little while, this will help to securely fix the workpiece.
To create a bow on your fingers, use a thin ribbon of any color. The steps are as follows:
- The tip is held in the palm of the hand by the thumb, the working edge is passed behind the middle finger.
- Using the index finger, form a figure eight.
- The movements are repeated several times so that there is an equal number of loops on each finger.
- Both tails are brought out to the outside of the palm and crossed.
- The long edge is pulled to the inside to form the middle. The knot is tightened.
The resulting small bow is carefully straightened. The knot is tightened tighter for reliable fixation.
How to tie clothes beautifully
Original bows can be used to decorate not only decorative crafts, hair accessories or gift boxes. They also look attractive on clothes. Brave girls can tie a voluminous scarf in an interesting way. All you need to do is throw the edges over your shoulders, make a ring from the long end, and clamp it in the center. The resulting element is wrapped with a short tail from the bottom up and tightened with a knot. The composition looks great with raincoats and classic coats.
The option with one knot or half-bow looks stylish and attractive. First, the ribbon is tied in the traditional way, without creating the first loop. After tightening the knot, two tails and one eye are formed. The method is suitable for any outerwear with a belt. Stylish decorations with folds look beautiful on the neck, especially in combination with light blouses.
A bow made of a wide ribbon on the belt is a universal solution, suitable for placement in the front and back. It is relevant for girls and young women with a slender figure. Like the “four petals” method, it helps to accentuate the waist line, brings a touch of freshness and romantic mood to the image.
Original bows are an ideal decorative element for all occasions. They are placed on crafts, interior items, clothes, accessories, packaging. With the help of detailed master classes, anyone can easily master various techniques of tying ribbons.



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