Gorgeous Gift-Wrapping Ideas with Bowdabra
Hey everyone! I’m Simply Shalese, here to make something awesome with you guys!
Today we will be wrapping some adorable gifts just in time for Christmas. These gift-wrapping ideas are so adorable and easy to do! Let’s get started!
Decorative Loopy Bow
Materials:
1 in wide ivory ‘Best Wishes’ ribbon from LaRibbons – 36 inches long (1 piece)
1 1/8 in wide ivory and gold printed ribbon from LaRibbons – 36 inches long (1 piece)
Gold Decorative Rope
Scissors
Placing the Bow Wire
The first thing I do is fold my bow wire in half and place it in the center of the Bowdabra. I usually use about 18 inches or so. Make sure you have enough to tie the bow at the end.
Placing the Ribbon
Start with your wider ribbon for your base. So I will be starting with the ivory and gold printed ribbon. I’m not going to actually measure each piece because I want to make this bow very fun and whimsical. So the first thing I’m going to do is scrunch the ribbon about 5 inches or so from the end with the right side of the ribbon facing upwards.
I like to make a uniform scrunch which I do so by folding the ribbon in half and bringing the front and the back up. Since this ribbon is only printed on one side, I’m going to twist the ribbon before placing it down on the Bowdabra. If your ribbon is printed on both sides then you can skip the twisting step.
Making the First Loops
When making your first loop, you can use the measuring tool on the Mini Bowdabra to estimate the size of your loops. The size of your loops also depends on the size of your gift. If you have a larger gift, make larger loops. If you have a smaller gift, then make smaller loops. I made the first loop about 3 inches in size. Then you scrunch again with the uniform scrunch and twist the ribbon, then place it down on the Bowdabra. You repeat these steps until you’ve used all of your ribbon. You can make as many loops as you’d like.
When you get to the end of your piece of ribbon, you’re going to scrunch the ribbon, leaving about 5 inches out to make another tail. You do not have to twist the last piece because you want the right side of the ribbon to be visible. Once you’ve done that, use your wand to help scrunch everything together.
I like to have the loops and tails different sizes because it looks more fun. If you’d prefer to have the loops more uniform, then you are free to do that as well.
Adding the Second Ribbon
I’m going to add the second ribbon, which is the ‘best wishes’ ribbon. Whichever side you started the first ribbon on, start the second ribbon on the opposite side. That way you can have tails on both sides of your bow. Also, be mindful of the way your words are going.
You are going to follow the same steps we just completed for the first ribbon, making the loops as large or as small as you’d like. You can add as many loops and tails as you’d like.
Tying the Bow Wire
Give your bow one last scrunch and while the wand is in place you can adjust the bow as much as you’d like. Then remove the wand and bring the bow wire together. Bring the two open ends inside the looped end. While one hand is holding the bow in place, use the other hand to pull the bow wire taut. Then carefully remove the bow. Tie the bow wire in several knots.
You can either cut away the excess bow wire or you can keep it long and use it to attach your bow to your gift.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Adjust your bow one final time. You can add more ribbon or tulle, whatever you’d like. You can even add embellishments to the center. Just have fun with it and make it your own!
Placing the Bow on Your Gift
There are several options when placing your bow. One option is to cut away the excess bow wire and hot glue the bow to your gift. I prefer not to glue the bow because I like to reuse them or give the person I’m gifting it to, the option to do so. If you have no other choice, just use a small amount of glue to attach the bow.
If you decided to keep your bow wire long, then you can use it to place around your gift and tie it in place. I decided to use decorative rope to accent my gift. So I it around the top, turn the gift over and switch the rope. Then come back around to the top and tie the rope together. Take the pieces underneath the first piece just for extra security. The good thing about doing it this way is you can use the decorative rope to attach your bow to the gift. The rope serves dual purposes. It’s decorative but it also helps attach the bow securely. You can tie the rope in a bow or let it hang. It’s completely up to you. This is a quick and easy gift-wrapping idea that looks so precious and adorable.
Decorative Ribbon Bow on Plastic Wrap
Materials:
5/8 in wide ivory ‘enjoy your gift’ ribbon from LaRibbons – 36 inches long (1 piece)
5/8 in wide ivory and gold printed ribbon from LaRibbons – 36 inches long (1 piece)
Candle
Glitter tulle
Plastic Wrap
Scissors
Rubber band
Tape
Placing the Bow Wire
The first thing I do is fold my bow wire in half and place it in the center of the Bowdabra. I usually use about 18 inches or so. Make sure you have enough to tie the bow at the end.
Adding the Tulle
Cut a piece of tulle and scrunch it on the Mini Bowdabra. The length of tulle depends on how large or small your gift is. If your gift is small, cut the tulle shorter. If your gift is large, cut the tulle longer. You can add as much tulle as you’d like. If you can’t decide now, you can always add more tulle at the end.
Adding the Ribbon
Take your first piece of ribbon, the ivory and gold printed ribbon. Fold it in half to find the center. With the wrong side of the ribbon facing up, scrunch the ribbon in the center and place it down on the Bowdabra. I use a uniform scrunch by folding the ribbon in half and bringing the front and the back up.
Making the Loops
Take one side of your ribbon and make a loop. The size of the loop depends on what you want. You can use the measuring tool on your Bowdabra to help measure each of your loops. I made the first loop about 2 inches wide. When you have the desired size of your loop, scrunch the ribbon and twist it before placing it down on the bowdabra. Repeat this step with the other side of your ribbon.
Make another loop with the first side of the ribbon and scrunch it in place. You do not have to twist this time since this will make your final loop and your tail. Repeat this step with both sides of your ribbon. Use your wand to help scrunch everything together.
Adding the Second Piece of Ribbon
When adding the second piece of ribbon, you’re going to repeat the exact same steps you completed for the first piece.
Tying the Bow Wire
Give your bow one last scrunch and while the wand is in place you can adjust the bow as much as you’d like. Then remove the wand and bring the bow wire together. Bring the two open ends inside the looped end. While one hand is holding the bow in place, use the other hand to pull the bow wire taut. Then carefully remove the bow. Tie the bow wire in several knots.
Adding More Tulle
After you’ve tied your bow, this is your change to add more tulle if you’d like. Just cut the tulle to your desired length and use your bow wire to tie it in a knot around the tulle. Add as much tulle as you’d like.
If you don’t have any plastic wrap on hand, you have the option of just placing the bow directly on your gift.
Adding the Plastic Wrap
Take your gift, I will be using a candle, and place it in the center of your plastic wrap. Make sure you have enough to completely cover your gift. Bring the plastic that’s in front of your gift up, and push the excess plastic towards the back of the gift so you’re not seeing too much plastic instead of the gift.
Gather all the plastic together at the top of the gift and use a rubber band to hold it all together. I like to leave a nice amount of plastic on top to add to the pretty wrapping. Flare out your plastic to make it look nice and full.
Adding the Bow
When I know I’m tying my bow to something, I like to make sure I have a nice amount of bow wire. If you have a larger gift to tie the bow to, then use more bow wire. You have the option of cutting the excess bow wire and using the tulle to tie the bow to the gift. It’s completely up to you. I used the bow wire and tied it around the gift in a simple bow.
I prefer adding the bow this way so that you don’t have to completely destroy the bow when opening the gift. I like having the option of saving the bow and keeping the gift looking nice for as long as I like.
Adding Additional Tulle
You can also add more tulle to the top of your gift. You can take a few small pieces and slide them in the top, where your plastic is fanned out. You can also add more tulle to the bottom of your gift.
Make any necessary final adjustments and you are all done!
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