Create an elegant fall lantern swag with Bowdabra® that looks professionally designed but is surprisingly easy to make! In this step-by-step tutorial, Sandy Sandler, the creator of the Bowdabra, shows you how to combine fall leaves, ribbon tails, and a gorgeous fold-and-twist bow to create a full, festive lantern swag. And you don’t need expensive floral supplies—many of the picks used in this project were inexpensive extras and end-of-season finds. Easy, elegant, and fun, so let’s get started!

Materials:

Bowdabra

Bowdabra bow wire

Lantern

Florals and picks of choice

Fall print ribbon

Instructions:

Start by cutting a length of Bowdabra bow wire, fold it in half, and place it in the Bowdabra. This will be your slip knot for securing your bow. Tuck the ends of the wire under the Bowdabra so that it is out of the way while you are making your bow.

Next, place a fall pick right into the Bowdabra. Then lay in a small piece of pre-dovetailed fall ribbon in the Bowdabra for the tails.

Now, using a long length of the same fall ribbon, make a twist and fold bow. To do this, scrunch in the ribbon, then bring the ribbon across and scrunch down, twist, and repeat.  Continue making loops back and forth, twisting and scrunching down into the Bowdabra.  Make sure the wrong sides are always on the inside of the bow.

Add some additional fall picks.

Next, 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.

Shape out the bow by pulling open all the loops and arranging the floral picks. Use the excess bow wire to tie the bow on the lantern for an elegant fall lantern swag!