How to make a patriotic wreath with these bow-making basics

Hi everyone! Joette from the Bowdabra Design Team here! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a No-Hot-Glue Patriotic Wreath with these bow-making basics using the Bowdabra.

This project is meant to inspire you and teach the basic technique, so feel free to substitute any foliage, florals, or ribbons you have on hand. The materials and colors used here are simply one example to help you learn the process and create your own unique design. So let’s get started!

Supplies:

• 14” Grapevine Wreath
• 2 Evergreen Foliage Stems
• 2 Flat Eucalyptus Stems
• 1 Small Hanging Floral Bush
• 1 Raffia Pick
• 2 Small Geranium Bushes
• 2 Sprigs Faux Baby’s Breath
• 3 yds. 2.5” Blue Wired Ribbon
• 2 yds. 2.5” Red Burlap Wired Ribbon
• 2 yds. 1.5” Patriotic Wired Ribbon
• Bowdabra Bow Wire
• Large Bowdabra

Instructions:

First, cut a 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, add some foliage directly into the Bowdabra. Then bend a hanging bush at the end and place it in the Bowdabra.

Continue adding picks and florals as desired. Now, place about 1 1/2 yds of blue wired ribbon into the Bowdabra for the tails.

Then, using the same ribbon, use about a yard to create a shoelace bow. To make a shoelace bow, find the center of the 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.

Using some red burlap ribbon and patriotic ribbon, make two more shoelace bows. Add two pieces of baby’s breath foliage.

Finally, create a button loop with some of the blue wired ribbon.

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.

Now you have the bow-making basics, and you can use these skills to create all sorts of amazing wreaths!