How to Make a Bow with Ribbon: Step-by-Step Guide

Bows are a great way to add pizzazz to any present, wreath, or craft, but buying them at the store can get expensive. Luckily, it’s super easy to make your own bows, and all you need is a piece of ribbon or string. In this article, we’ll teach you how to create the perfect bow at home, whether you’re tying it on a gift or using it as decoration. We also spoke with arts and crafts specialist Amy Guerrero for tips on tying and attaching your bow so it looks beautiful!

How to Tie the Perfect Bow

An step-by-step illustration of how to tie a ribbon bow around a box.

Wrap the string around your box or package.
Cross one end of the string over the other to make an “X” shape.
Move the top end under the bottom end, then pull to make a knot.
Take one end and make a loop, then repeat with the other end.
Bring the second loop around and over the first loop.
Pull the second loop under and through the hole in the center.
Tighten the knot in the center by pulling on both loops to make a bow.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Tying a Bow on a Present

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1
Wrap a piece of ribbon or string under the bottom of your present. You can use any type of string or ribbon to make a classic, basic bow. Simply slip your ribbon under the box or package, pull it around the sides, and tie it in place on top with a single knot. As long as the left and right ends stem from the knot in the center, you’re golden.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, try tying a bow from a piece of ribbon that isn’t attached to a package or item. Tie a knot in the center of the ribbon so the left and right sides are equal in length.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Amy Guerrero is an arts and crafts specialist and the owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and fiber arts, with over 15 years of design experience.
Press the middle knot down with your right index finger, then use your left hand to form a “C” shaped loop on the left piece of the ribbon. Pinch the loop between your left thumb and forefinger to hold it in place. Make sure the loop is smooth and not twisted for a finished look.^{[2]
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Hold the left loop between your left thumb and forefinger as you form a second loop with the right piece of the ribbon. Curl the ribbon up to create a “C” shaped loop, just like you did before.
Bring the right loop around and under the left loop. Then, pull the right loop through until the left loop is the same size. Think about how you tie your shoes and use the same technique.^{[3]
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Tighten the bow to secure it in place. Pull on the loops to tighten the knot at their center. Ensure that both loops are the same size to create the perfect bow. If the ends of the ribbon aren’t the same size, use a pair of scissors to cut them to your preferred length.
- For extra stability, place a dot of hot glue under the bow’s knot to secure the ribbon to the box, package, or item.
- Feel free to combine your bow with other trinkets to make it more decorative. “I love adding pom poms and tassels,” says Guerrero.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Tying a Looped Bow

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For this style of bow, it’s best to start with a longer piece of ribbon. Make sure the ribbon is straight and unknotted before cutting.
Start about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the left end of the bow, and fold the ribbon over itself to form a small loop. Once you make the loop, hold it in place with your thumb and forefinger.^{[5]
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Take the section of ribbon directly on the right side of the loop, and fold it up next to the loop you made to create an “S” shape. Use your thumb and forefinger to hold the first loop and your middle finger to separate the 2 loops.^{[6]
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Loop the remaining length of the ribbon accordion style (following the same pattern as before to create “S” shapes). Keep looping until the ribbon’s right end is the same length as the left end.^{[7]
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Use a small piece of florist wire or a thin string to tie the loops together at the center, dividing them in half. This creates a pile of loops on the right and left sides of the cinch.^{[8]
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Fluff the loops with your hands. Separate the loops on either side of the wire and use your fingers to fan them out. Keep fluffing until the fanned-out ribbon hides the cinched middle. Use a pair of scissors to clip the ends of the ribbon, and then stick your bow wherever you like!^{[9]
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- Use a dab of hot glue or a piece of clear tape to attach your looped fan ribbon to a present or box.
- If you’re attaching the bow to a Christmas tree or wreath, “take a twist tie or a piece of wire and adhere it on,” recommends Guerrero.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Tying a Puffy Bow

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1
Wrap a piece of long ribbon around your hand. Hold the end of the ribbon against your palm using your thumb. Then, wrap the other end around your fingers to make a circle. Neatly overlap the ribbon with itself so each loop lies perfectly flat on top of the previous one.^{[11]
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- Aim to wrap the ribbon around your fingers at least 10 times. The more you wrap, the bigger your bow will be.
Carefully slide the layers of ribbon off your hand. Do your best to keep the loops in place. Then, fold the stacked ribbon in half.^{[12]
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Cut the corners off one folded end of the ribbon. Hold the folded loop in one hand so that the center folded part faces up. With the other hand, use scissors to cut the corner off either side of the cinch or the folded middle part of the ribbon.^{[13]
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- Make sure to cut through all the ribbon layers; otherwise, your bow may be uneven.
- Do your best not to cut the 2 corners too close to the center. Leave a small gap between each cut.
4
Use a second, smaller ribbon to tie the cinch. Unfold the looped ribbon, keeping the layers intact. Tie a second piece of ribbon between the notches you cut in the middle of the loops. If you don’t have another piece of ribbon, you can use florist wire or string.^{[14]
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- For a classic look, use the same color ribbon as before.
- For a more eclectic look, try tying a different ribbon around the middle.
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Fan out the loops with your fingers. Separate the loops one by one from the inside to the outside. Pull the loops gently from the center and twist them toward you to fluff them out. Arrange the loops to form a petal-like circular pattern. All that’s left to do is to place your fluffy ribbon on a present!^{[15]
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- Use tape or hot glue to attach your large ribbon to a gift or package.
- If you want to “go non-traditional with your bow, suspend a little jingle bell or something from the center,” says Guerrero.^{[16]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making a Ribbon Bow for Decoration

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1
Measure out 20 in (51 cm) of wired ribbon. Use a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) wide ribbon with a wire running through the top and bottom.^{[17]
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Research source} “Wired ribbon is easier to work with because it holds its shape,” according to Guerrero.^{[18]
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Amy Guerrero
Arts & Crafts Specialist

Expert Interview} Leave the edges straight for now, since you can cut them later.
- This creates a good-sized bow for Christmas trees and wreaths, but if you want something larger, cut more ribbon than you think you need.
2
Fold the 2 ribbon ends inwards to make an “X” shape. Spread the ribbon out on a flat surface, then grab the 2 ends and pull them in towards the center underneath the ribbon, overlapping them to make an “X” shape. Make sure the ends of the ribbon face toward you.^{[19]
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- You should have a small opening in the center of the bow, with the 2 tail ends hanging over each other, resembling an awareness ribbon shape.
3
Pinch the center of the bow together, and secure it in place with ribbon. Keeping the ends overlapped in an “X” shape, pick up your ribbon and place your fingers at the top and bottom of the center. Press down to secure the center of your bow and create the classic bow shape. To hold this shape, cut a small piece of the same ribbon, wrap it around the center of the bow, and secure it in place with a dab of hot glue.^{[20]
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- For extra security, wrap a small piece of pipe cleaner over the center of the bow before wrapping it in the smaller piece of ribbon.
4
Cut the edges of the bow at a diagonal, then attach the bow. Fold the end of the ribbon in half lengthwise, then use scissors to cut at an angle towards the fold. Repeat this on the other side to create the classic bow shape.^{[21]
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- You can then stick your bow on a Christmas tree, wreath, ornament, or whatever decoration or craft you desire!

Community Q&A

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How do I tie a bow with a thin ribbon?

Community Answer

The same way. It should be easier to do with a thin ribbon, but obviously it won't look the same since the ribbon is different.

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How do you curl a ribbon?

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If this is a balloon/curling ribbon, hold the ribbon against a scissor blade with your thumb, then pull the ribbon across the blade. For a wired, floral ribbon, wrap it around a dowel, then slide the dowel out.

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What's the best way to attach the floral bow to the top of a present without showing a lot of tape?

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The best way to attach the floral bow to the top without showing tape is to not use tape at all. Use bottled glue that dries clear.

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Tips

Make sure both ends of the ribbon are the same length before making your bow.

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Always use more ribbon than you think you’ll need. You can always cut off the excess with scissors once the ribbon is complete.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you ever wear bows in your hair, try using the bow knots and designs you use for your hair for any presents you're wrapping. The designs are interchangeable a lot of the time.
If your ribbon is on the smaller side, don't overtighten it. Small bows will collapse, tear, or become impossible to untie if you pull too tight as you secure them.

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