We’re making a 12-inch wreath bow without a bow maker using wired burlap, ivory linen, and a touch of gold swirl ribbon. The trick is to measure and cut all seven pieces first. Then you can make one loop at a time, stack them, and add the tails. We used our finished bow to dress up a simple boxwood wreath.
We used three wired ribbons. The burlap gives the bow some texture, the ivory linen softens it, and the narrow gold swirl adds a little shine.
Scissors and small zip ties or floral wire
| Cut | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | 28″ | Tails |
| 2 pieces | 26″ each | Large loops, about 12″ across |
| 2 pieces | 22″ each | Medium loops, about 10″ across |
| 2 pieces | 18″ each | Small loops, about 8″ across |
Make the loops. Set the 28-inch strip aside. Bring the ends of a 26-inch strip together and overlap them to form a loop. Then pinch the middle and secure it with floral wire or a small zip tie. Repeat with the other five loop pieces. Keep the decorative side of each ribbon facing out.
Stack the layers. Cross the two largest loop pieces to make an X. And wire together. I like to use rustic wire (paper-wrapped floral wire). Add the medium pieces, secure, then the smallest ones, turning each layer slightly so the ribbons underneath can still show. Bind the whole stack at the center with floral wire.
Add the tails. Trim the ends of the 28-inch strip at an angle or cut them into dovetails. Fold the strip in half to find the center, pinch it there, and wire it to the back of the bow. If needed, cover the mechanics in the center with a narrow piece of ribbon, just placed around the mechanics and tied in the back. Trim the tails.
Attach and shape. Wire the bow onto your wreath, then open up the loops and curve the tails with your fingers. We hung our boxwood wreath on the diagonal and let the long burlap tails drape down.
If you’re using scraps and only have enough of a favorite ribbon for one loop, use it near the top where it’ll show. The two sides can be a little different and still look good together.
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