Best bow making secret: How to make extra large bows and use less ribbon

Looking for the best bow making secret? You’ve come to the right place.  Sandy Sandler, Bowdabra creator will show you how to make an extra large bow but use less ribbon!  It’s so easy with the Bowdabra bow maker, so let’s get started!

You will learn how to make several styles of bows stacked one upon the other to fill out this extra large bow with much less ribbon!

Materials:

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

2 yards – 7277.60/10-698 Rainbow Garden Ribbon 2-1/2 in Rainbow

1.5 yards – 7579.40/10-020 Spring Cabana Stripes Ribbon 1-1/2 in Pink

1.5 yards – 4100.38/10-602 Wired Lame Ribbon 1-1/2 in Lt. Blue

10” deco mesh 1 1/2

Floral pick

Bowdabra ribbons

 

Instructions:

First, cut a long piece of Bowdabra bow wire.  Then, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other side.  This will serve as your slipknot. Tuck the ends under to stay out of the way while you are making your bow.

Next, find the center of the deco mesh, turn the ends under to hide any fraying and scrunch down into the Bowdabra from the center. Turn the ends under as you finish as well.

Now, place a pre-dovetailed length of the rainbow garden ribbon in the Bowdabra for the tails.

Using lengths of the same ribbon to make a funky bow style bow. Twist and fold lengths of ribbon in half with a loop on one side and two tails on the other like an awareness ribbon. Then, place them in the Bowdabra alternating the sides of loops and tails.

Repeat this step with the blue lame ribbon for another funky style bow making these loops the same size as the previous bow.

Now, repeat for a third funky style bow with the cabana stripes ribbon.

Finish the bow with a shoelace style bow. Find the center of a piece of rainbow garden ribbon and scrunch it down into the Bowdabra.  Now bring one side across and scrunch down, then bring the other side across and scrunch down. Make the loops the same size as the previous bows.

Finally, add a floral pick to the center. Now, scrunch everything down with the Bowdabra wand.  Then, insert the loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Then, remove the bow from the Bowdabra, separate the ends, turn to the back and tie a knot.  Tie a double knot for extra security. This the best bow making secret for fuller bows with a lot less ribbon!!