3 Little Greenwoods

Home Decor Projects, Easy Crafts, & Party Planning Tips

  • Home
  • How to Make Wreaths
  • Wreath Making Business Tips
  • ETSY SHOP
  • Meet the Maker!
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy

February 24, 2014 by: Ashley Greenwood

How to Make an Easy Bow for Wreaths and Door Hangers

Simple to follow tutorial for How to Make an Easy Bow! It is the perfect bow for wreaths, a Christmas tree bow and holiday decorating ideas.

Easiest Bow EVER! Simple to follow tutorial for How to Make an Easy Bow! It is the perfect bow for wreaths, a Christmas tree bow and holiday decorating ideas.

Got a wreath addiction like me? Need a new {super simple} way to make a fun bow?

Have I got the tutorial making an easy bow for you! Recently I discovered the easiest way to make a bow. This bow making technique has been used for Christmas decor, Trashy $2 Valentine Wreath, and Shamrock Wreath.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. {Click here} to read my complete disclosure policy.

How to Make an Easy Bow: Supplies Needed

Wire-Edged Ribbon

Grosgrain Ribbon

Floral Wire

Small Wire Cutters

All the supplies you need are ribbon and floral wire. Wired ribbon works the best but I have used grosgrain and sheer ribbon. Each adds it’s own texture but the wired ribbon poofs up better. How to Make an Easy Bow is easier than you think!


Simple Bow Tutorial

Step One: Cut Ribbon to Size

To make a medium sized bow measure 3 to 4 pieces of 24″ of ribbon then fold it in half.  Next cut 3 to 4 pieces of 18″ ribbon then fold in half.

As you can see from the picture below, most of the ribbons are folded over but there are also a few pieces that are not.  The small pile of  4 to 5 white ribbons measure about 12″ long.

DIY wreath bow

This technique used 14 pieces of wired, grosgrain, and sheer ribbons  (24″ – 12″ in length) to make a medium sized bow.

Step Two: Stack the Ribbon

Start the ribbon stack with the larger, longer folded ribbons on the bottom then layer the different types of ribbon by alternation which way the fold goes. Alternating the folds will allow some folds will be on top and some on the bottom of the finished bow.

A few pieces of the chevron grosgrain ribbon and all of the white ribbons simply lay flat in the stack.

easy bow

Step Three: Gather, Pinch, and Wrap

Find the center of the stack and pinch all the ribbons together in the middle. Then wrap the pinch tightly with a 24″ length of floral wire.

I love using these small wire cutters in all my crafting!

easy bow

Step Four: Fluff into a Pretty Bow

Next “fluff” the bow out by forming the folds into loops and gently tugging the ribbons this way and that until you are satisfied with how the bow looks.

DIY wreath bow

Use the floral wire to attach the easy bow to your favorite wreath!

Here’s just a few of the wreaths and DIY Door Hangers I’ve used this Simple Bow Making Technique to decorate!

Wreaths and DIY Door Hangers

Personalized Teacher Pencil Door Hanger

Super CUTE and CHEAP to make DIY Door Hanger ~ Personalized Teacher's Pencil! Step-by-step DIY door hanger tutorial for making a Back to School Teacher Gift! from 3 Little Greenwoods

Outdoor Decorating for Christmas

easy christmas bow

$2.00 Valentine Heart Wreath

heart shaped wreath

Hopefully this how to make an easy bow tutorial will inspire you to add a little color to you world! If you have questions about the technique helpful hints of your own, please share with me in the comments.

Love money saving holiday decor? Check out these DIY projects!

Holiday Decorating on a Budget

  • Snowflake Plate Charger ~ It’s a Dollar Store Project!
  • How to make a Holiday Bow {easiest bow tutorial ever!}
  • Barnwood Christmas Tree Box ~ perfect farmhouse style!
  • No-sew Pet Stockings – awesome gift for Pet Lovers!
  • Semi-homemade Christmas Tree Skirt

DIY Christmas Ornaments

  • Inexpensive Snowflake Ornaments from Coffee Filters
  • Do-It-Yourself Pet Silhouettes ~ awesome gift for Pet Lovers!
  • Paint Brush Santas ~ Homemade Christmas Ornaments

DIY Christmas Gifts to Make

  • Disney Inspired Ribbon Tassel Keychain ~ personalize it!
  • Simple Deer Silhouette String Art
  • Horse String Art Project
  • Upcycled Painted Clutch with Fabric Flower ~ fancy enough for a night out on the town!

Visit Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods’s profile on Pinterest.

I link up with these fun parties!

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own. Why do I do this? It will help me keep this DIY’ing Mama crafting for another day! For more on my disclosure policy click here.

More from my site

  • DIY Dollar Store Snowflake WreathDIY Dollar Store Snowflake Wreath
  • Fall Monogram Wreath with Rolled Fabric FlowersFall Monogram Wreath with Rolled Fabric Flowers
  • DIY Spring Wreath with Leftover FlowersDIY Spring Wreath with Leftover Flowers
  • Gift Ideas for Wreath MakersGift Ideas for Wreath Makers
  • How to Make a Christmas Tree TopperHow to Make a Christmas Tree Topper
  • How to Make a Fall Door Swag WreathHow to Make a Fall Door Swag Wreath
Looking for some Hutch Love!
I’m a celebrity! {sorta kinda}

Comments

  1. 1

    Lindsay Eidahl says

    February 24, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Great tutorial for those of us who can find bow making a challenge! You make it look easy! Thank you!

    Reply
    • 2

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 26, 2014 at 3:00 am

      Thanks so much sweet lady!

      Reply
  2. 3

    Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

    February 25, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    This is so helpful! I want to make a wreath of my own this spring, but I don’t even really know where to start. I will definitely use this. Pinned!

    Reply
    • 4

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 25, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      Hey Blair! Thank you so much for pinning my bow making tutorial! {big hugs} ~ Ashley

      Reply
  3. 5

    Sonnet O'kane says

    February 25, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Great tutorial Ashley! I am hopeless at bows but this… I can do.

    Reply
    • 6

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 25, 2014 at 10:11 pm

      I have seen this type of bow all over! I was so excited when I *finally* figured out how to make one!So happy you like the bow tutorial! 😉

      Reply
  4. 7

    Shannon says

    February 27, 2014 at 2:27 am

    Love this bow! I came over from a comment you left on my blog. I’m pinning this for my next wreath. Thanks for sharing!

    Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com

    Reply
    • 8

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 28, 2014 at 12:23 am

      Oh I’m so happy you like my Bow Tutorial! It really is a simple way to make a big fluffy bow!

      Reply
  5. 9

    Heather says

    February 27, 2014 at 1:30 am

    I love this tutorial… Those bows are so cute!! I love that you can use a variety of ribbons… Cute, cute!

    Reply
    • 10

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 28, 2014 at 12:38 am

      Thanks so much Heather! Wreathes are my favorite and an easy way to make a big fluffy wreath is the best! Your posts about “hearing noises” cracked me up! 😉

      Reply
  6. 11

    Kimberlee says

    March 2, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Pretty bow! I like how you used all the different color ribbons in the same color theme. Pinning this…

    Reply
    • 12

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 2, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      So glad you liked (and could understand) my Bow Tutorial! Thanks so much for pinning!

      Reply
  7. 13

    Dee says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    I love this tutorial! My bows don’t always turn out as well as I would like, but this makes it so easy! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  8. 14

    Amber L. says

    March 3, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for the great tutorial. I love your shamrock wreath.

    Reply
    • 15

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 3, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      Hey Amber! I am so excited you like my Shamrock Wreath! It took a while to make it but it is so bright and happy on my front door!

      I love the rainbow pancakes you shared! My 3 little people are going to flip over those. Pinned and making!

      Reply
  9. 16

    Marti says

    March 3, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    What a super cute bow! I love how you put it together. Thank you for sharing it. I pinned it to the party board. 🙂

    Marti

    Reply
  10. 17

    Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:08 am

    Beautiful bows! You make it look so simple. Love how you used different pieces of ribbon for the bow. Thanks for the tutorial, I need all the help I can get when it comes to making bows.

    Reply
    • 18

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 5, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      Making bows can be super tricky! Even with the Bowdabra contraption I still had trouble. :/ This way is so much easier!

      Reply
  11. 19

    Jess says

    March 4, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    What a neat way to make a bow! I would have never thought to do this!

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week! 🙂

    Reply
  12. 20

    Linda says

    March 7, 2014 at 2:34 am

    Yup, that’s just how I make them also. Good work. Linda

    Reply
    • 21

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm

      Thanks Linda! So happy you were able to follow my Bow Making Tutorial! And I love it that you make your bows the same way. It’s super easy isn’t it?!

      Reply
  13. 22

    Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says

    March 7, 2014 at 3:51 am

    Pinned. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
    • 23

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 10, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      So happy you liked my Bow Making Tutorial! Writing a tutorial can be tricky business!

      Reply
  14. 24

    Carole says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:11 am

    So pretty! Thanks for sharing. Pinning to Pinterest!

    Reply
    • 25

      3littlegreenwoods says

      March 12, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      Thank you for the sweet comment! And for pinning!!

      Reply
  15. 26

    Paris (My Big Fat Happy Life) says

    November 26, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Awesome tip! It sounds so easy…I am going to have to give it a try!

    Reply
  16. 27

    Natalie says

    November 26, 2014 at 10:23 am

    If bow making is that easy, I think even I might be able to do it! What a fun way to spruce up wreaths and holiday decorations!

    Reply
  17. 28

    Stephanie Pass says

    November 27, 2014 at 8:57 am

    What a great bow! I need to try this one on the next wreath I make.

    Reply
  18. 29

    Kirsten says

    December 5, 2014 at 9:48 am

    I am the worst bow maker ever! I need you to come to my house this holiday season just to teach me bow making (and house decorating). Sharing this because everyone needs to know how to make a basic bow (myself included) and I hope to use this throughout the holidays. Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  19. 30

    Diena Cameron says

    October 15, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Hi, definitely pinning. 64 yrs old and FINALLY I know how to make a bow ! That’s almost embarrassing ! Love your blog. You’re very talented and have to tell you, I’m the same way when it comes to thrift shops, Antique shops and garage sales. Thanks, have a great weekend.

    Reply
    • 31

      3littlegreenwoods says

      October 16, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog! I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment. So happy that you are able to follow my easy bow making tutorial and make a bow for yourself. 🙂

      Reply
  20. 32

    Diena Cameron says

    October 15, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    That was supposed to be, ” and now i know how to make a bow.” !! ( =

    Reply
  21. 33

    Paula says

    February 23, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I think I can handle and enjoy this method of making bows! Every project looks so much better with a bow!

    Reply
    • 34

      3littlegreenwoods says

      February 23, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      YAY! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a message!

      Reply
  22. 35

    Shermayne says

    April 25, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    This is awesome. I have the most horrible luck making bows. But this I can do. Thanks a million.

    Reply
    • 36

      3littlegreenwoods says

      May 1, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy my bow making tutorial is going to be helpful to you.

      Reply
  23. 37

    Nancy Taylor says

    February 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    What an awesome and easy way to make a beautiful bow!! Thanks for this great tutorial! I would love to share it on my blog!

    Reply
  24. 38

    CiaCia says

    November 25, 2018 at 5:44 pm

    OMgoodness! I’m so happy to find this tutorial even after all of these years. I’ve been seeing these bows but couldn’t figure out how to get all the different ribbons in it without too much bulk. Crossing my fingers I’m able to make one that’s even 1/2 as cute as yours. Thanks so much for sharing – I appreciate it. Merry Christmas from Texas!!!

    Reply
    • 39

      Ashley Greenwood says

      December 1, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      YAY! So happy you were able to make this easy bow!

      Reply
  25. 40

    Mischelle Downen says

    November 30, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    I made this for my outdoor light! Looks wonderful and so easy to make! It took me longer to decide what ribbon to buy than it did to make it! Lol

    Reply
    • 41

      Ashley Greenwood says

      December 1, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      YAY! So happy you were able to make this easy bow!

      Reply
  26. 42

    Eva says

    February 25, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    Great way to make bows!! I was not or miss before, but not now, with your method, it’s quick , cute and easy!!! Perfect for my wreaths!! Thanks so much Ashley!!!

    Reply
    • 43

      Ashley Greenwood says

      March 1, 2019 at 9:02 am

      YAY! So happy this bow making technique worked for you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2023 · Fun Genesis WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design