Bows and satin ribbon go together like peanut butter and honey – you can hardly think of one without thinking of the other. Of course, you can make a bow out of anything, but a satin ribbon bow is so lovely. Why would you want to use anything else?
So how do you make a bow out of satin ribbon? The first step is to choose the size and color that you want, depending on how big you want the bow. This will help you determine how much satin ribbon you need to cut from the spool. Fifteen to twenty inches (28 to 51 cm) of ribbon will make a good-sized bow. The tails should be about two to three inches for a bow this size, so the total length of ribbon you need is about twenty-one to twenty-eight inches. Cut the ribbon a bit longer than what you need, just in case. You can always trim the excess later.
Now that you know how to choose your satin for your bow, it’s time for the step-by-step instructions. I’m going to show you 4 different types of bows that you can create with a satin ribbon. Let’s get started!
How to Make 4 Types of Bows with Satin Ribbon
Satin ribbon is available in a slew of bright colors, slim sizes (only 3/8 of an inch wide), super-sized (1 ½ inch wide) and a variety of other sizes. Satin tends to be a bit slippery, so if you are new to tying bows, you might not find it that easy, at first. But, rest assured, you will get the hang of it in no time.
1. Simple Bow
How to make a simple bow out of satin ribbon:
- Measure and cut the length of the ribbon you need. Make it long enough for the bow and the tail.
- Lay the ribbon out on a flat surface with the dull side down and the shiny side up, unless you are using double-sided ribbon. This type doesn’t have a “wrong” side. Both sides are shiny.
- Fold one end in and then the other end so that you have an X in the middle. You now have two loops and two tails.
- Adjust the loops and tails to make them both exactly the same in size and length – perfectly symmetrical.
- Fold the left loop over the right loop and take it around to the back.
- Pass it through the center hole to make the knot and gently pull it tight.
- Pull and fluff the loops until your bow is perfect and your knot is tight.
Voila! You have just made your first satin bow!
Julia DIY on YouTube takes it a step further by showing you how to make a permanent satin bow. Check it out.
2. Wire-Bound Bow
How to make a wire-bound bow with satin ribbon:
- Measure and cut the wired ribbon to the desired length.
- Lay it down on a flat surface with the dull side facing down.
- Fold in the ends to make two loops and two tails with an X in the center. Make sure the two bow and tails are symmetrical.
- Keep this form secure with one finger.
- With your other hand, scrunch the center of the bow and wrap a small piece of fine wire around the middle or neck of the bow. Make this nice and tight.
- Conceal the wire with a piece of ribbon. Glue or sew the back of the concealing piece of ribbon on the back of the bow.
- Cut the tails at an angle to prevent fraying.
That’s it! Another simple satin bow that looks great!
This beautiful wired bow by Crafting with Jeanine on YouTube is a great example! She uses a lovely, transparent wired ribbon.
3. Gift Box Bow
You have seen those gift boxes wrapped in a ribbon with a bow on top, right? Most people just wrap the ribbon around the box and glue on a bow they bought at the store or online because it’s easier than making a fancy bow.
Well, from now on you can make these fancy little (or big) gift boxes yourself! This is what you do:
- Choose the size, width, and color of your ribbon, but don’t cut it, yet. (I recommend 3/8 inch wide ribbon for this.)
- Choose the box you want to use and wrap the ribbon lengthwise around the box. Hold the ribbon down with a dab of glue or a piece of clear or colored tape.
- Without cutting the ribbon, wrap it around the box width-wise and put a piece of tape in the center to hold it in place.
- Make two large loops in a figure-eight pattern. Hold down the first loop with your finger until the second loop is done and then put a piece of tape at the center of the figure-eight pattern to keep it in place.
- Make more loops the same way, shifting the angle so that the loops don’t end up on top of each other, but fan out. You should now have five figure-eights with each layer slightly smaller than the one below.
- Take the tails and glue them into the center of your bow, creating a puffy effect on top.
- Done!
Once you get the hang of this technique, you won’t need to tape or glue the ribbon at each step. You will be able to make your bow by just holding the ribbon down with your finger.
However, you will have to glue or tape some parts to keep the bow from falling apart. Some people staple the center to keep the shape of the bow intact.
Another cool way to wrap a box is by wrapping the top and bottom separately. This way the recipient can open the box without removing the ribbon. This will preserve your beautiful bow! A gift your friend will cherish just as much as what is actually inside the box.
Follow the instructions above, but don’t wrap the box tight. Leave enough slack to tuck the ribbon into the box on the top and bottom – about two inches. Once you’re done, cut the ribbon on the box in such a way so that you can tape it inside the bottom of the box and under the lid.
Hobby Lobby on YouTube calls this type of bow a “pom pom” bow and has a great tutorial on how to do it!
4. Floral Satin Ribbon Bow
A floral bow is the perfect addition to a special gift, a bunch of flowers or a holiday wreath. This simple design looks like a million bucks, but you can make it yourself for just a few dollars and some easy to follow instructions. With a few twists, turns and ties your bow is ready to adorn a gift, bouquet or pony tail!
This is how it goes:
- Choose your ribbon. A ribbon that is two inches wide looks the best.
- Leave the ribbon on the spool. At this point you don’t know how much you will need for all the loops.
- Decide how long you want the tail to be and make a twist at this point. Keep the shiny side facing towards you. This point will be the center of your floral bow.
- Make a loop and twist the ribbon in the middle.
- Hold the twisted part between your fingers and make another loop on the opposite side.
- Twist the loops towards you and make sure they are the same size.
- Just make one twist, but make it a tight one to keep the shape of the bow. Too many twists will make the center too big. You will be making many loops, so this area can get thick fast.
- Remember, you should be working with the end that is still attached to the spool, not the end you set aside for the tail. With this in mind, continue to make loops of equal size, alternating from one side to the other.
- Make as many loops as you need to get your desired fullness. Eight to ten loops should do the trick.
- Tie the loops together at the center with a narrow piece of ribbon.
- Leave the narrow ribbon long enough on either side of the knot to use as a tie for attaching your bow onto a present, bouquet, or ponytail.
- Make sure the tails are at the back of the bow. You can now cut the ribbon from the spool.
- Once you have the tails the same length, cut the ends at an angle. This will prevent fraying.
- Arrange the loops into the shape and form you desire.
- Smooth out any creases to give your bow a nice polished look.
Master making these bows to add a professional, classic touch to anything. This is one skill you will be proud to show off. You will soon be adding your homemade satin bows to every gift you give!
Handiworks on YouTube has a great rose ribbon tutorial. Check it out!
