How to quickly make the best summer lantern swag

 

Now that warmer weather is here, we’re in the mood to spruce up around the home! Here’s how to decorate your favorite lantern or front door,  with a handcrafted summer lantern swag. Simply use adorable flowers and stems, ribbons, and of course, your Bowdabra! The summer lantern swag also works great on a mantle, tabletop, centerpiece, and so many other places.

How to make a summer lantern swag

Materials Needed:

• Floral flowers and stems
• Bowdabra tool and wand
• Bowdabra bow wire
• Assorted 2.5″ and 1.5″ wired ribbon

How to:

First, fold a 36″ piece of Bowdabra wire in half and lay in the Bowdabra, tucking ends under. Cut 36″ strips of each of the ribbon designs, folding together to find the center and placing down into the Bowdabra.

Now, dovetail the ends by folding the end ribbon together and cut at the fold at a 45-degree angle down to the ribbon edge.

Then, pinch the end of one of the 2.5″ wide ribbons and insert it down into the Bowdabra. Fold over a five-inch loop and press into the Bowdabra.

Fold the ribbon on the opposite side, making a five-inch loop, inserting down. Make two more 5″ loops for a total of four loops on each side.

Continue making five-inch loops – two on each side for the different ribbon designs.

Then, scrunch down the ribbon loops using the Bowdabra wand.

While the bow is still in the Bowdabra, tie off by threading the two loose ends of the bow wire through the loop at the other end. Pull the bow wire tightly before removing the bow from the Bowdabra, then take the bow wire ends around to the back of the bow, tying in a knot to secure tightly.

Fluff all of the loops and tails for a pretty bow to add to the swag.

Add the florals

Next, using the Bowdabra as a third hand to hold the flowers and stems, fold a 36″ length of bow wire in half and place it down into the Bowdabra. Then lay the stems and flowers in the Bowdabra, on opposite sides with one side of stems and florals slightly longer and separated so they cascade down around the lantern.

Then tie off the stems and florals by inserting the two loose ends of the bow wire through the loop at the opposite end, gently pulling the florals out while wrapping the bow wire around the stems several times and tying in a couple of knots.

Attach to the lantern using the bow wire.

And finally, tie the bow to the flowers and stems attached to the lantern .  .  .

for a gorgeous look! Both inside and out!

If you loved the summer lantern swag and would like more tutorials and videos please visit the Bowdabra blog each week.  And don’t forget to join us on Facebook each Monday at 4:00 p.m. PST, 5:00 p.m. MST, 6:00 p.m. CST, and 7:00 p.m. EST, for Facebook, live. Every week one lucky viewer will receive a special gift and the next winner could be you!