Learn how to make a ribbon bow. Ribbon Bows look great on hair clips, DIY gift bags, clothing and all kinds of fun homemade presents. They are so fun and easy to make you will wonder why you didn't learn how to make them years ago!

How to Make a Ribbon Bow
I always find it relaxing to sit in front of the tv in the evenings and make hair clips with my glue gun. In making these samples to show you, it took longer for my glue gun to heat up than to make the actual bows. Don't worry if you don't have a glue gun. A simple needle and thread are all you really need to learn how to make a ribbon bow.
How to Make a Ribbon Bow - SUPPLIES
Supplies you will need:
- RIBBON - 1 ½ inch (38mm) wide grosgrain ribbon (This is the ribbon with the textured lines across it). You can use regular satin ribbon but the grosgrain ribbon results in a bow with more fullness and body.
- Cut 2 pieces of ribbon 7 inches (17.7cm) each.
- 2 inches of ⅜ inch (10mm) wide ribbon for the center.
- OPTIONAL - Hot glue gun. If you are joining these bows to hairclips it is easier to make them with a hot glue gun. If you will be joining your bows to clothing that needs to be washed, you should skip the glue gun and do all hand sewing.
- NEEDLE - Hand sewing needle.
- THREAD - I always like to use upholstery thread as you can pull it really hard and it won't snap.
How to Make a Ribbon Bow - Video
Here is a video I made for you showing how to make a ribbon bow. It is just a few minutes long, so please enjoy! Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.
How to Make a Ribbon Bow - Instructions
Step 1 - Overlap Ends
Take one of your wider 7 inch (38mm) pieces of ribbon and fold the ends in so they overlap in the middle by ¼ inch (6mm). Pin it in place.
Step 2 - Stitch Through Center
Thread your needle and knot the end. Make small running stitches through the center of the ribbon ensuring you catch in all layers. Don't cut your thread.
Step 3 - Pull Tight
Pull the thread tight and arrange the folds carefully with your fingers. Use the tail of the thread to wrap around the center of the bow a few times and pull really tight.
Knot off the thread at the back.
Step 4 - Repeat
Repeat the above steps for the second piece of wide ribbon. You now have 2 lovely looking bows!
Step 5 - Join the Bows
The next step in how to make a ribbon bow is to join the bows. Place one bow on top of the other bow aligning their centers. Use your thread and wrap it around the center of the two bows. Knot it off at the back.
Try and be accurate when winding the thread around the center as you will end up with a more symmetrical bow. If you are going to be joining your bow to clothing don't cut the thread yet. For hairclips or articles that don't need washing, you can cut the thread.
Step 6 - Glue The Center
Place your thin strip of ribbon for the center down on the table. If the ribbon has a one-sided pattern, then place it pattern side down.
Place your bow on top. Do a quick check and see if one side of your bow looks better than the other. Put the nicer side facing down.
Wrap the small ribbon tightly around the center of the bow. You want it to overlap by about ⅜ inch (1cm) at the back. Trim it a little shorter if necessary.
Then either stitch or glue the ends.
Turn your bow over and you are all ready to join it on to something like an alligator clip or a gift bag.
Ribbon Bow Projects
Check out this free gift bag tutorial which includes a printable template. You can also glue your bow to lined alligator clips.
Now you have learned how to make a ribbon bow please share below what you will be adding it on to.
More Bows and Ribbons
- How to Make a Ribbon Bow
- How to Stop Ribbon from Fraying
- Felt Bow Template
- How to Make Fabric Hair Accessories
- DIY How to Make Fabric Bows
- DIY Fabric Bow for Clothing (Large bow)
- DIY Hair Ties: Bow Hairbands
- DIY Felt Bow
- How to Sew Ribbon
Ana Gill
Thanks for the instructions, I can sit on my bed and work nd watch TV
Cimmie S
Thank you for this. Am adding bows to base of straight maxi under dress. The base will show bows will appear to hold swags of material between.