Holiday Bows

The Puff Bow

Materials:

8-1/2" x 3" foam board or cardboard
4 yards 2-1/2" satin acetate or craft ribbon
12"-18" of 3/16'' wide curling ribbon
sharp 8" scissors

Steps:

1. Place a roll of ribbon on your right side. Start wrapping ribbon around the pattern form, rotating the form and counting the desired number of loops for the bow (figure A). (The bow demonstrated used 16 loops.)

2. Cut off ribbon 2 inches past the form. Slide off the form.

3. Fold in half and cut out quarter-circles, leaving a 1/2-inch strip at center (figure B).

4. Tie firmly with curling ribbon, pinching the center (figure C). Start pulling out the outside loops to the right, twisting to the left. Repeat for all loops individually until all the loops are out (figure D).

5. Attach the bow to a gift or project with the curling ribbon and fluff!

Materials:

3 yards of 2-1/2'' wide wired ribbon*
1 twist-tie or wire
12''-18'' of curling ribbon

*add extra for any long tails

Steps:

1. Place the roll of ribbon on your right hand side. Create the center loop by making a 2-inch circle with ribbon, holding in your left hand (figure E).

2. Twist ribbon to the left to have the right side of the ribbon showing. By pulling the ribbon behind the center, create a 3-inch loop. Pinch together.

3. Twist ribbon to the left to have the right side showing. Pull ribbon behind the center loop, creating a matching 3-inch loop on this side. Twist to left.

4. Create second loop under first layer, 1/2 inch longer. Repeat twist, pinch, loop, etc., until there are four loops on each side of the center loop (figure F).

5. Create one extra long loop for tails (figure G).

6. Attach all loops with a twist-tie or wire.

7. Separate loops. Attach bow to your project with curling ribbon. Adjust loops once bow is in place.

Words of encouragement from Juanita:
Practice, practice, practice! My bows got better and better and easier the more I created them. I learned that I didn't have to hold the ribbon so tightly so my fingers wouldn't go numb. The Puff Bow looks great when I use two or three different colors. I can also create different sizes of the bows by varying the pattern forms longer and shorter. The Florist's Bow can have several layers of coordinating ribbons if the center loop is omitted, creating a very intricate bow.