Usage of Ribbons and
Raffia
With a few simple gift Ribbons technique,
you can make a pretty gift package decoration in no time! Here are two very easy bows that
take a minimum of Ribbons and have easy variations for different looks.
Quick and easy, the graduated loops bow needs to be made from Polly Ribbons that looks the
same on both sides. The papery, Polly satin-shiny Ribbons that most ready-made gift bows
are made of are perfect (and inexpensive!).
"Graduated Loops" Bow
A 610mm length of Ribbons will make a 127mm graduated-loops bow with 3 layers. With one
end of the gift Ribbons, form a center loop approximately 25mm in diameter. Step 1: Hold
it in place with thumb and forefinger, allowing the rest of the Ribbons to extend away
from you.
Step 2: Feed the Ribbons down and back toward you, making a second, larger loop beneath
the center loop. Slip the Ribbons between your thumb and forefinger to hold it in place
under the center loop. Now the rest of the Ribbons extend toward you.
Step 3: Feed the Ribbons underneath and back to the center, forming another loop that
matches loop above. Now you have one layer of loops beneath the center loop.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3, increasing the size of the loops for the third layer. For a
larger graduated loops bow, you can make additional layers, each one extending beyond the
one above it.
Step 5: Adjust and straighten as needed to center the layers and to line up the Ribbons
edges. Staple the layers together from inside the center loop, or tape through the center
loop and around all layers beneath it.
Tips and gift Ribbons techniques for Graduated Loop gift bows:
• As a rule of thumb, the longer the bow (i.e., the larger the
loops and/or the more layers of loops you make), the wider the Ribbons should be. You can
vary the size of the center circle for tiny or extra large graduated loop bows. Consider
the size and shape of the gift, and let your artistic eye be your guide!
• While you're learning, feed the Ribbons from the spool as you
make the bow, and then cut the Ribbons. Making a pre-cut Ribbons come out even can take
several tries at adjusting the loop sizes and the number of layers.
• For a more tailored bow, flatten the loops, then cut a piece of
Ribbons about 50mm – 75mm longer than your bow, and cut notches in the ends. Center
and attach the notched piece at the bottom of the bow.
• Double-stick tape is best for affixing these gift bows to a
package. Or, you can make a circle of regular tape, sticky-side out.
• For Ribbons with one-sided pattern - cut 100mm, 230mm, and 305mm
lengths of Ribbons and tape into circles, right side out.
Flatten (don't fold) the larger circles, keeping taped ends at the center, and stack them
by size. Place the smallest circle (un flattened) at the center on top. Staple or tape the
layers together through the inside of the small circle.
• Graduated Loops gift bows are well suited to long, narrow gifts,
and they look good set diagonally near the corner on rectangular gifts. For variety, I
like to stand a fairly flat box on its side - these narrow gift bows are perfect when the
side or end of a box becomes the "top." They also look elegant atop the handles
of gift baskets.
• Graduated Loops gift bows can be used to embellish other bows.
One-Loop Fold over Bow
These simplest of gift bows are best made with crisp Ribbons that look good on both sides.
The shiny, Polly Ribbons used for pre-made bows are great for this job, or you might like
to try wider satin Ribbons, or organza Ribbons. The One-Loop
Fold over is perfect for large gifts - it offers lots of coverage with relatively little
Ribbons, and lots of options for making it fancier.
Step1: Cut a length of Ribbons about twice as long as you want the finished gift bow to
be. Place the Ribbons horizontally in front of you and grasp one end with each hand,
thumbs on top. If the Ribbons are curved from being on a spool, begin with the ends curved
upward.
Step2: Rotating both ends of the Ribbons toward you, lay the ends side by side (thumb-side
down) on the table. Much like bringing a scarf over someone's shoulders, the center point
of the Ribbons should stand up on its edge; the tails should lie flat.
Step3: Cross one end of the Ribbons over the other to complete the loop. Adjust the angle
of crossing and the length of the tails to please your eye, and hold in place with a
staple or double-stick tape.
Step4: Trim the ends of the tails at an angle, or perhaps an attractive V-shape. Affix the
gift tag and/or a decoration at the crossing point. The small graduated-loop gift bow in
the picture is a perfect finishing touch.
Tips and gift Ribbons techniques for One-Loop Fold over gift bows:
• One-loop fold overs are fine for tiny gifts like jewelry boxes,
too... just use narrow Ribbons.
• Place narrow Ribbons over a wider one of a different color and
fold them together for a striped loop. Hold the Ribbons together with double-stick tape in
a few spots, if needed. Use a narrow strip of wrapping paper for the stripe, and you'll
have a fully-coordinated bow!
• For added depth, separately fold a smaller one-loop fold over and
stack it atop a larger one. Mix or match Ribbons colors.
• More decorating ideas for the crossing Ribbons point - a silk
flower, a small puffy Ribbons bow (or two tiny bows, side-by-side), or perhaps an ornament
or decoration related to the party theme or the gift within.
• Double-stick tape is perfect for affixing the Ribbons bow to the
gift. Or, you can use a circle of regular tape, sticky-side out.
Enjoy your Ribbons decorating. We at Red Dot Gift packaging
would love to hear about all the creative techniques you came up with.
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