How to Make Pretty & Simple Bows

With Christmas sneaking up on us, I wanted to share this tutorial to show you How to Make Pretty & Simple Bows.   Bow-making is not my thing so if I can do this – anybody can!  I used these to add to packaged up foodie-gifts, of course… like this Pralines & Cream Fudge!

This might seem unneccessary but it truly adds such a special, personal touch to a gift to have a homemade, pretty satin bow!  And really… it only takes a few things to make these!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Satin Ribbon (around 5 feet per ribbon)
• Twist ties or pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• 2″x 4″ package labels (not pictured)
• Double-sided tape

Now… let me show you How to Make Pretty & Simple Bows!

Start by cutting off about 4.5 feet of ribbon (you’ll need the other 6″ at the end).  I used 1″ wide ribbon for the red bow and then 5/8″ ribbon for the chevron – I like the wider better but either worked great!

Begin by making a loop that is around 2.5″ long.  You can make it bigger or smaller if you want, but this turned out to be a great size for my containers!

After that first loop, continue to wrap the ribbon around (keep the smooth side out), pinching it between your fingers as you work.

I made four loops on each side to get a full bow, then pinched it all together:

This is how it looked with the loops finished.

Now you’re going to take your twist tie and wrap it around the middle – twist it tight to hold the loops.

Then flipped it over and cut off the excess of the twist ties.

To make sure it was going to look right, I fluffed out the loops and straightened them to get a balanced bow 🙂  I also went ahead and cut off another 6″ of ribbon to cover the twist tie.

Center the bow over the 6″ piece of ribbon, then tie a simple single knot.  I kept it loose and ended up trimming one end a tiny bit to make it fit perfectly with the size of the bow:

Wasn’t that easy?

Finished Pretty & Simple Bows

Now, if you like, you can print a label to add to your sweets!  I printed them on 2″x4″ shipping labels (already sticky) so I could stick them on the top of the the boxes!

You can print the labels I made here:

For me, I packaged up Pralines & Cream Fudge in a disposable container (I laid a sheet of parchment paper, then arranged the pralines inside:

Then I centered the label and used double-sided tape to attach the bow!!  And I’m all done 🙂  Click here to see the Pralines & Cream Fudge Recipe and I’d love for you to PIN THIS!

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