How to Tie a Bow with Velvet Ribbon: Perfect Easy DIY

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How to Tie a Bow with Velvet Ribbon: Perfect Easy DIY

Tying the perfect ribbon bow is an art.

Learn how to tie the perfect bow knot with velvet ribbon...it's not how you think!

Make a stunning cake topper, a hair clip, garland or other fun home decor with gorgeous velvet bows.

Let's get started making a fancy bow!

How to make a velvet bow cake topper for the sweetest party!

HOW TO TIE A PERFECT BOW AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT:

From flower girls bow on a dress, to the perfect finishing touch on gift wrapping (which usually requires a little help to get the bow tied tightly), to elegant events or formal occasions, a beautiful bow is always classic and in style.

However, recent trends are showing that decorative bows are super hot right now...perfect for hair clips, holiday decor like Christmas tree ornaments, Valentine buntings, cake decoratons and great hosts of everything in between.

HOW TO TIE A PERFECT BOW AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT: From flower girls bow on a dress, to the perfect finishing touch on gift wrapping (which usually requires a little help to get the bow tied tightly), to elegant events or formal occasions, a beautiful bow is always classic and in style. However, recent trends are showing that decorative bows are super hot right now...perfect for hair clips, holiday decor like Christmas tree ornaments, Valentine buntings, cake decoratons and great hosts of everything in between.

Bows carry the Cottagecore vibe, the classic olden day look and are making a big comeback in the world of crafting, fashion, hair accessories and home decorating.

Learn how to tie the perfect velvet bow so you can use them for all your fashion and decor needs.

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR VELVET RIBBON BOW:

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Velvet Ribbon (or other one-sided ribbon, 1 inch wide)
Small Hair Elastic (or thread)
Sharp Scissors
Hot Glue Gun
Wooden Dowel or Alligator Hair Clip (optional)

HOW NOT TO TIE A BOW:

First of all, let's look at what NOT to do.

This bow knot was made in the regular bow style, standard bunny ears, wrap ribbon around the first loop kind of knot...like tying shoes.

Because the velvet ribbon has one velvet side (right side) and one plain side of the ribbon, by wrapping the bow this way we are exposing both surfaces, leaving dull and velvet visible.

This is not what you'd call a pretty bow.

HOW NOT TO TIE A BOW: First of all, let's look at what NOT to do. This bow knot was made in the regular bow style, standard bunny ears, wrap ribbon around the first loop kind of knot...like tying shoes. Because the velvet ribbon has one velvet side (right side) and one plain side of the ribbon, by wrapping the bow this way we are exposing both surfaces, leaving dull and velvet visible. This is not what you'd call a pretty bow.

HOW TO MAKE A PRETTY BOW:

We want the velvet part of the ribbon to show on the full front of the bow.

This works the same if your ribbon is printed and has a pattern or design on it.

Let's maximize the favorite part of the ribbon so it shows on the whole bow.

HOW TO MAKE A PRETTY BOW: We want the velvet part of the ribbon to show on the full front of the bow. This works the same if your ribbon is printed and has a pattern or design on it. Let's maximize the favorite part of the ribbon so it shows on the whole bow.

Step 1: Cut Ribbon

First step, begin by cutting a long piece of ribbon, about 18 inches of velvet ribbon.

Less ribbon for a smaller bow, more ribbon for a wider and larger bow.

Step 2: Overlap Ribbon

Find the center of the ribbon and hold your pointer finger on the back side of that spot.

Overlap the ends of the ribbon from one side to the other, with the center of the ribbon (where your finger is) remaining the center.

Step 3: Elastic

Now use the hair elastic to loop around the center of the ribbon, creating the loops of the bow.

If you are using thread, just wrap the center about ten times and tie if off with a square knot.

Now don't pull too forcefully, but adjust the different loops so they are the same size and the extra ribbon for the tails is about the same length.

The bow looks pretty good already, all the velvet is showing beautifully.

Step 4: Center Band

Now cut a small piece of velvet ribbon, about 1 to 1.5 inches.

This will make the center band, covering and securing the hair elastic.

It is too wide to just wrap around the center of the bow, so let's make it a little narrower with some hot glue.

Run a small bead of hot glue down one edge of the ribbon piece.

Fold the velvet ribbon over on the glued edge, essentially folding and gluing the ribbon piece into thirds, tucking the edges of the ribbon into the center of the back of the ribbon.

Repeat for the other side of the ribbon piece.

Add a small bead of hot glue down the edge and fold it over, making a fully velvet center piece.

Now the center ribbon is ready to wrap around the elastic and secure everything in place.

SIDE NOTE: Do not put hot glue directly onto the plastic elastic, it will make it break!

Add a dot of hot glue to either side of the hair elastic on the back side of the bow and place the ribbon on it.

Then wrap the center piece over the elastic in the front and secure it to the back of the bow with more hot glue, again, carefully placing it so the elastic doesn't burst.

You can use a needle and thread to secure it one step further if desired.

Step 5: Trim the Ends

The simple bows just about finished!

Now you just need to trim the ends of the ribbon with a slight diagonal line.

This diagonal cut will keep the ribbon from fraying, just like pinking shears do.

Trim off the excess ribbon, or keep the long end ribbons for an elegant bow.

Step 5: Trim the Ends The simple bows just about finished! Now you just need to trim the ends of the ribbon with a slight diagonal line. This diagonal cut will keep the ribbon from fraying, just like pinking shears do. Trim off the excess ribbon, or keep the long end ribbons for an elegant bow.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Finally the favorite part of every craft, the finishing touches!

If you are transforming your velvet bow into a hair clip, add some hot glue to the top of an alligator clip and press it across the backside of the bow.

I love a simple bow hair clip, it gives the appearance of a looser bow with ribbon twists cascading down the hair.

So pretty and simplistic!

The velvet ribbon is incredible artwork in the hair.

I love how elevated my grunge pajama look is with this hot pink velvet ribbon clipped in my hair!

I love a great hair clip.

The velvet ribbon is incredible artwork in the hair. I love how elevated my grunge pajama look is with this hot pink velvet ribbon clipped in my hair! I love a great hair clip.

If you are using the velvet bow as a cake topper, just hot glue it to a wooden dowel for the perfect lady-like cake.

OTHER WAYS TO USE BOWS:

Here's some ways to decorate everything with a bow!

Add a bow to the top of a wrapped gift or brown paper gift bag
Make a bunch of bows and attach them at the loops to make a bow garland or bunting
Use bows as Christmas tree ornaments
In place of a wreath, hang a big bow on the front door
Add bows to your curtains, drapes or valances
Tie a bow on the banisters or railings of your house
Hook a keyring to the center piece of a bow for a keychain
Hot glue a bow on your bag or purse
Add a fancy velvet bow to the zipper on your boots or coat
Add a bow to your shoes with a shoe clip
Tie a bow to your car antennae
Put a cute bow in your puppy's hair
Use a bow on a dowel for a cake topper
Host a regency party and tie bows on the wine glasses
Make bow hair clips to gift for Valentine's day

That's it!

That's the perfect easy DIY for how to tie a bow with velvet ribbon!

Velvet ribbon is the ultimate in lush ribbons and makes the perfect cake topper for a birthday, Valentine's day (or Galentine's party) or any day of the week.

This simple technique goes fast and you can make a bunch of same size, beautiful bows in no time at all.

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That's the perfect easy DIY for how to tie a bow with velvet ribbon! Velvet ribbon is the ultimate in lush ribbons and makes the perfect cake topper for a birthday, Valentine's day (or Galentine's party) or any day of the week. This simple technique goes fast and you can make a bunch of same size, beautiful bows in no time at all.

Check out these posts and other cool features of the site too!

Learn how to make Bow Ties with Wide Satin Ribbon

This is a fun and simple way to make bowties using 2 inch wide satin ribbon.

This would be great for little matching choir ties, Christmas ties for the bows and a hair bow for the girls, Great for a Doctor Who themed party or just a fun addition to the Christmas tree or garland!