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DIY Standard Bow Pin Image. Brown leather-like ribbon hand tied into a 5 yard standard bow. Bow is hanging on a woven basket with hanging greenery.

Standard 5 yd Bow Tutorial

Print Instructions Pin Instructions

Equipment

  • 1 Pair of Scissors
  • 1 Wire Cutters
  • 1 Yard Stick Could use a tape measure as well

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Spool Floral Wire 10-12 inches, 22 Guage Wire
  • 5 Yards Ribbon 2.5 Inch Wide, Wired

Instructions
 

  • Cut The Wire.
    Cut a 10–12 inch length, then straighten it, fold it in half, and set it aside.
  • Cut the Ribbon.
    Use a sharp scissors to cut two pieces of ribbon — one for the tail and one for the head of the bow.
    Since this is a 5-yard bow, cut a 1-yard piece for the tail and a 4-yard piece for the head.
  • Prepare the tail.
    Fold the tail in half and trim the ends. You can choose either a diagonal cut or a dovetail finish.
    Twist the ribbon once at the center fold and set it aside.
  • Create the First Loop.
    Using your 4-yard piece of ribbon, create a loop about 3 inches in size.
    Hold the end of the ribbon with the back side facing you, then fold about 4 inches of ribbon toward yourself so that the right side is now facing outward and the ribbon is folded in half.
    Where the folded section meets the remaining length of ribbon, scrunch the ribbon together and give it a half twist so the long length now has the right side facing out.
    Infographic. Ribbon folded with 4 inches of ribbon folded over the remaining ribbon. Right side of the ribbon facing out. Arrow indicating a half twist is to be performed.
  • Create the Second Loop.
    Fold the ribbon underneath and toward the first loop, creating a loop the same size as the first one.
    Scrunch the ribbon at the base and give it another half twist, then gather it at the center along with the first loop.
    Infographic. Ribbon folded with one loop on the right side, a twist in the middle and the start of another loop on the left. Right side of the ribbon facing out. Arrow indicating a half twist is to be performed.
  • Build Yor Bow.
    Continue creating loops in the same way, making each new loop just slightly larger than the last.
    You’ll have enough ribbon for about seven loops per side.
    As you scrunch, twist, and gather at the center, be sure to hold everything tightly so your bow maintains its shape.
    Infographic. Ribbon folded with one loop on the right side and left sides, a twist in the middle , and the beginning of graduated loops on the right. Right side of the ribbon facing out. Arrow indicating a half twist is to be performed.
  • Secure your bow.
    Take the tail you created earlier and place it behind the stack of ribbon twists.
    Grab the folded wire you prepared earlier and position its center over the front of the stack.
    Pull the wire tightly around the ribbon to hold everything together, then twist the wire twice as firmly as you can to secure it.
    For extra stability, grab both ends of the wire and twist them together like a crank in the same direction as your original twists.
  • Fluff and Shape.
    Lay the bow flat on a surface and start by gently pulling the two center loops in opposite directions to open them up.
    Move to one side and pull the next two loops apart in opposite directions. For the remaining four loops on that side, continue pulling them outward, but also pull them out from center in a half circle shape to create a fuller, more balanced shape.
    Repeat the same process on the other side of the bow until all the loops are evenly spread and the bow looks beautifully rounded.
    Infographic. Brown leather-like wired ribbon. Both sides of the bow are shaped and there are arrows showing where each of the loops should be on a single side.
Keyword DIY Decor, Every Day Decor, Hand-Tied Bows, Ribbon, Seasonal Decor, Spring Decor