How To Make Bows

I’m Britt from Charlie’s Halo. You might remember my other tutorials on adding marabou, bottle caps and detachable centers to hair bows. This time I will be teaching my specialty, stacked boutique bows. I have been making bows for over 2 years and I’m entirely self taught. There are many different techniques used by different bow makers, but in this tutorial I will cover the basics and techniques that I use. I made 3 different styles of stacked boutique bows using the Halloween Candy Corn, Dino-mite and Lil Sister Ribbon Mixes from The Ribbon Retreat.

Each Ribbon Mix includes 5 different ribbons, expertly matched in various widths. The Ribbon Retreat carries a large selection of ribbon mixes. They are wonderful because it takes the guess work out of matching colors and sizes. It’s already done for you! Check out the ribbon mixes by clicking the link.

What widths work for what bows and layers, I also used the following basic tools: Needle, Heavy Duty Thread, Cardboard, Scissors, Lighter, Ruler, Hot Glue, Straight Pin and Stiffener. This fabulous Halloween bow is the first style we will make. When making stacked bows, the most basic skill you will need to learn is the ever so famous Twisted Boutique Bow.

This bow can take some time to master, but with some practice, it will become second nature. I make twisted boutique bows using a cardboard template that is easy to make and economically practical. In this tutorial I will be using 5”, 6” and 7” templates. Find a piece of sturdy cardboard and cut it to the width you would like your template to be and make sure it’s at least 3” long.

Measure to the middle of your template and cut out a ¼” strip that is about 1.5” or so long as show in the picture. Now is time to use your new template! If this is your first twisted boutique bow, I would suggest trying with a 5” template and use ⅞” as I’ve done in the picture.

You will need 23” of ⅞” ribbon. This will make a 3” bow. I trim and seal my ribbon ends after I’ve sewn my bow, but it’s okay to do it before you make your bow as well. You will also need an alligator clip, needle and thread and a straight pin.

Use an alligator clip to hold your ribbon while you wrap it around your template. Clip the ribbon in the center of the ‘middle opening’ and the end of the template. After wrapping the ribbon around your template two times, turn the template over and push a straight pin through the center of the ribbon as shown.

At this point your are ready to remove the ribbon from the template. Carefully pull it off of the template, but do not remove the pin. The next step is the very most important part of making twisted boutique bows. Hold your ribbon with the tail facing up, and maintain pressure on the back of the pin.

Start by pulling the tail and bottom ribbon to the left. When you do this your ribbon will begin to form an ‘X’. Pull the loops to form a uniform ‘X’. When you look at the back of your bow, your ribbons should be aligned horizontally. The above pic shows a bow ready to be a creased.

I crease my bows by sewing them. Using a strong needle and heavy duty thread with the ends knotted together. Stitch through the center of the bow making sure that the ‘X’ does not lose form. Bring your needle and threads through the ribbon and pull it tight. Wrap your bow a couple of times, knot and finish off.