Those big, fluffy, multi-layered, 5-ingredient bows that
billow up, out, and stay poofy looking? No wired-edge ribbon was used. Want to
make these attention-grabbing, cake topping, show stopping bows?

 Layer , Stack, and
Assemble

3 separate bows are stacked one atop of the other. Each bow
graduates in loop-length. Like a tiered cake, the smallest bow is stacked atop
the middle bow, which is then layered to the largest bow on the bottom.  Use an odd-number of elements, layering a
narrow ribbon over a wider ribbon. In this sample, five May Arts Ribbons were
used:

• 3/4″-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuchsia) QH22

• 1.5″-wide Woven Check (Pink/Brown) KB93

• 3″-wide Sheer (Light Fuchsia) C23

• 1.5″-wide Grosgrain Solid (Brown) QH33

• ½”-wide Leaves (Burgundy) BY25

(ribbon lengths are
determined by the required end size of bow)

•  2  12″ twist
  ties. (I prefer pipe cleaners when stacking bows)

• 1-piece of 3/4″-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuschia) to tie
  Bow3.

• Adhesive Tape (if wrapping a gift box)

• Sharp Scissors

Gift Box straps:

• 3/4″-wide Grosgrain Solid (Fuchsia) QH22

• 1″-wide Grosgrain Ric Rac (Brown) 330-33

Step 1

Make Bow-1; a 4 loop florist bow with 2 ingredients.

Layer 3/4″-Grosgrain (Fuchsia) centered over 1.5″
Woven Check. Secure center with a 12″ twist-tie.

Step 2

Make Bow-2; a 10 loop florist bow with 2 ingredients.

Layer 1.5″-Grosgrain Check ribbon centered over
3″-Sheer (Light Fuchsia), making loops longer than Bow-1. When your
Grosgrain Check ribbon stops at 4 or 5 loops, finish making the rest of the 5
loops with 3″-Sheer. Secure center with a 12″ twist-tie.

Step 3

.

Make Bow-3; a 6 loop florist bow with 3 ingredients.

Form a very large, oversized 2 loop bow with the Leaves,
allowing the tails to fall, one on each side of the bow. Set aside. Layer 3/4″-Grograin
Fuchsia centered on 1.5″-Grosgrain Brown. The 1.5″-Grosgrain Brown
will only make 4 loops; finish with 2 more loops with the 3/4″-Grograin
Fuchsia, leaving long tails. Be sure this bow has loops that are longer than
Bow-2. Center Leaves over Grosgrain bow. Secure with a length of 3/4″-Grosgrain
Fuchsia with a “Chef’s Knot”.

 (Instructions for a
Chef’s Knot appear in the June
8 2009 blog post)

Step 4-Assemble

Secure each bow to
the other, in graduated-size order. Add half-knots on the ends of 3 tails for
added dimension. Secure to box with existing twist tie from bow. Tuck or cut
twist-ties.

.

.

.

You did it! This
layer and stack technique works for all sorts of ribbon combinations. Here’s another
example.

.

If attaching bow to a
gift box

Strap gift box with 3/4″-Grosgrain (Fuchsia) in one
direction only. Along side Grosgrain, strap box with 1″-Ric Rac (Brown) in
same direction. Adhere with double sided tape. Secure bow to grosgrain strap
using the twist tie on the back of the bow.

 Tip: If making a window
or centerpiece display, use straight pins to attach your bow to your gift box.
You’ll be able to re-purpose the bow or easily disassemble it.

 
Re-Use!
After your party guests have all gone, save your ribbon and
bows for a re-run!

Tip: A curling iron or blow dryer will remove wrinkles
from ribbon, being careful to test temps when working with sheers.

Blog Posted By: En-May Mangels

Click here to view details on this week’s contest to win Free Ribbon!