Owning a floral shop for 12 years meant one thing: bows – lots and lots of bows. And when it came to the holidays, I had to find quick and easy ways to make these wreath, package and bouquet finishers ahead of time for the mad rush of the Christmas season. Even at home I had to make our bows well before the season arrived so that our family could settle in and enjoy the holiday once the last flower delivery was made.
Bows aren’t difficult to make, and they can really add a wonderful personal touch to a present, wreath or other holiday decoration. You only need a few supplies to make the perfect bow, so head out to your local craft shop, floral store or garden center and pick up the following: - 1 25-yard roll of #40 red metallic Vel-Pruf ribbon (one roll will make five generous wreath bows – other types of ribbon can be used for smaller adornments)
- 21- or 22-gauge florist stem wire, 18 ¼ inches long
- 1 roll of dark green or brown floral tape
- 1 pair of shears that will cut through wire (as well as ribbon)
Now warm up your fingers and get started:
Step 1: Tape your length of wire by stretching the floral tape out as you roll the wire in your hand. Start at the top of the wire and work your way down the entire 18 ¼ inches. Set aside. (It’s important to cover the wiring because it eliminates any rusting and reduces scratching of surfaces. It also means fewer injuries from working with the wire and an overall tighter bow because the tape prevents the ribbon from slipping).
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