How to Make a “Loopy” Bow Using a Simple Technique

Hey Friends,

Bows before Bros! That’s my crafting motto. <3 Let’s learn how to make a “loopy” bow. It really is very simple. Once you learn this bow making technique the possibilities are endless. You can make your bows and big or as small as you want, with as many layers as you want!!

I have to give credit where credit is due. My sister’s mother in law also known as “Nana”, taught me the basic technique for making these bows.

Here’s what you need:

• Ribbon (Wired Ribbon will give your bow more structure, but you do not have to have it.)
• Scissors
• Optional: Twine/Jute (or some type of string.)

Start with deciding how big you want your bow to be, and how many layers you want it to have. I have to admit, I hardly measure anything. I usually just go with it, but for the sake of this tutorial I did measure. I decided on an 8 inch bow with 2 layers and a 3 loop base. (Sounds fancy huh?)

Take your bigger ribbon and loop it around 3 times (so you have 3 loops on each side). Think of it like you are wrapping an extension cord.

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Take your thinner ribbon and do the same thing but with one less loop. Make it about an inch shorter than the base.

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You should now have a base and a top layer. Stack them on top of each other.

NOTE: The base is always your thickest ribbon with the most number of loops and the top layer is always the thinnest ribbon with 2 loops.

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Find the center of your ribbon and make 2 small cuts on either side. Be careful not to cut the ribbon all the way across!

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If you want to, go right to adding your tails, but I find it easier to secure my stack together with a piece of twine/jute at this point. Secure the twine in the back.

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Next, you need your tails. For this bow we are using both types of ribbon for the tails. You can use one or more. It’s up to you. A good rule of thumb is to cut your ribbon for the tails at least twice the length of the bow. This makes everything look proportionate. Since this is an 8 inch bow, I cut my ribbon 16 inches.

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All that is left is to secure your ribbon to your bow. Flip it over and always secure it to the back. Start with your skinniest ribbon so it will be visible from the front. Tie it and pull the the pieces so they are going the same direction.

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NOTE: If you used Jute/Twine to secure the center make sure you have a piece on either side of the bow.

Repeat the same step with your thicker ribbon. (If you used Jute/Twine, this is the point where you would tie it again to make sure it is secure).

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Now you should have a bow that looks something like this.

As you can see, I didn’t find the center exactly (because I didn’t measure). Be better than me! 🙂

Spread out your bottom layer loops on each side, then do the same with your top layer loops.

This is where the slit you cut early on will help you. Take each loop on the bottom of the bow and twist them. Do the same with the top loops. You do not have to do this, but it will give your bow a fuller look. (NOTE: if you used wire ribbon this step is optional). Play with it and fluff it until you like how it looks.

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Cut the bottom of the ribbon however you like. I personally like the way “dog ears” look.

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TADAAAA! You have a cute bow ready to decorate up any piece!!

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The ones below were all made with the same technique!

That’s it you guys! It’s that simple. I’ll be attaching a video tutorial to this post as soon as I’m finished with it. Practice this technique and you’ll be a bow making machine in no time!

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xoxo- Lizzy