Paper Bow

by Jessica Crawford

Banish cheap plastic bows to the trash and make your own pretty package decor.

Supplies

Double-sided paper or cardstock, 6" x 12" piece

Paper Trimmer

Glue Dots

Adhesive

Brads

1/16" circle punch

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Trim patterned paper into 8 strips of 1" x 6", 4 strips of 1" x 5", and 1 strip of 1" x 4". It's important to cut the 1" x 4" strip before you cut the 1" x 5" strips.
Step 2

Take 4 - 1" x 6" strips with pattern "A" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip.

Take the other 4 - 1" x 6" strips with pattern "B" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip.

Take the 4 - 1" x 5" strips with pattern "A" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip.

Take the 1" x 4" strip with pattern side "B" face up and put adhesive on one end.
Step 3

Wrap the 1" x 6" strips and the 1" x 5" strips as shown.
Step 4

Wrap the 1" x 4" strip as shown.
Step 5

Use the 1/16" circle punch to punch a whole at the bottom of each "petal".
Step 6

Use a brad and attach the "petals" together.
Step 7

Place a Pop-Up Glue Dot in the center of each layer.
Step 8

Stack each layer by alternating patterns.
Step 9

Finished bow.

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Paper Bow. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

very nice its seem esear the way you did it
thank you yogy

Yogy | Fri Jul 4, 2008 at 5:18 PM

These look so easy, can't wait to make some.

Anthea Hill | Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 3:07 AM

Great Idea!

By the way I came up with measurements for a mini bow.

Instead, cut one 1/2" by 2" strip of paper.

Cut eight 1/2" by 3" strips of paper,

and four 1/2" by 2 1/2" strips of paper.

The bow will be about 1/4 the size of the

original . =D

Tamara Borland | Wed Oct 1, 2008 at 3:36 PM

You just gave me a wonderful way to use up larger pieces of scrap paper....they look like a lot of fun to make..

elynnie | Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 11:03 AM

I love it! Definitely a tut to save! TY!

Suzi | Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 12:56 PM

What a fabulous way to personalize a package -- I will definitely make these this holiday season. Thanks!

Christine Kurtz | Wed Nov 12, 2008 at 1:00 PM

This is wonderful! I have always had trouble with bows but this is really easy to follow. I'm going to try different sizes too. Thanks for a great idea!!

Jeanne Henry | Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 5:32 AM

how cute. I never add bows to packages as I think those store ones are so tacky but these are wonderful. Thank you I can't wait to make these and use them on EVERY THING. My daughter will love them as well.

Ruth | Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 6:27 AM

these are so cute

Mom | Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 7:46 AM

Thank you soooo much!! I hate store bows. They look cheap. Yours are sooo cute! Perfect way to use scrap paper. Thanks Elynnie!

Chris | Wed Dec 3, 2008 at 7:39 PM

Wow! I've often made my own bows using regular ribbon, but now the ideas are really flying. My bows this Christmas will be stamped maybe even embossed, and will match the tags I make! Thanks so much.

Rita | Thu Dec 4, 2008 at 9:12 AM

Fantastic & easy, too. People think you've spent hr. at this (like the rice krispies' commercial!)

Susan | Thu Dec 4, 2008 at 9:34 AM

And those store bught bulk bows are completely indistructable and so will NEVER break down in the land fills. Thai is a great idea...and you could use ribbons also.
Sue

Sue | Mon Dec 8, 2008 at 4:11 PM

Loved it!!

Marlene | Sun Jan 18, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have lots of little pieces left over from making hanging hearts and they will work perfect plus my granddaughters love to make paper crafts and this will keep them busy for hours. Janis

Janis Zettel | Tue Feb 3, 2009 at 6:29 AM

Wow ..... fantastic idea and so simple. Will be giving these a go! Thank you for sharing

Tui | Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 7:01 AM

These are great! Will definitely give them a try.
Sandra x

Sandra Dry | Mon Sep 7, 2009 at 3:17 PM

I came across your site and loved the post very much. I'll give it a try.

Dila | Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 2:27 AM

thank you very much for the tutorial! i tried it and loved it!

cabbie | Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM

These are beautiful! I'm going to make them for a friend's baby shower.
Thanks

Valerie Zamora McCarthy | Thu Jan 7, 2010 at 11:31 PM

Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >

Paper Bow

by Jessica Crawford

Supplies

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Video!

Your Turn

Questions and Comments

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