How to make a bigger, better St. Patrick’s Day bow with Bowdabra

It’s so easy to make a bigger, better bow with the amazing Bowdabra bow maker. Make this fun St. Patrick’s Day bow that looks big, full, and bountiful—without using a ton of ribbon! The secret to this full bow is building bulk with the deco mesh. Sandy Sandler, the creator of the Bowdabra, shows you the easy way in this step-by-step video DIY

Materials:

4100.99/10-634 3 yards – #4100 Wired Lamé Ribbon 4″ wide Gold

2.5 yards – 7030.60/10-607 #7030 Shimmering Shamrocks Ribbon 2-1/2″ wide Green/Green

1 yard – 7413.40/10-613 #7413 Brilliance Ribbon 1-1/2″ wide Black

1.5 yards – 7740.60/10-607 #7740 Sequin Sparkle Ribbon 2-1/2″ wide Emerald

1.5 yards, 21″ wide decor mesh

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

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, roll the ends of the deco mesh under to hide any fraying. Scrunch down in the center of the mesh and fold the ends under when you get to the ends in the same way as when you started.

Now, add a pre-dovetailed length of gold lame ribbon. Using a longer piece of the same gold lame ribbon, create a fold and twist bow. To make a multi-loop twist and fold bow, 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.

Continue with various bow styles:

Next, using the shamrock ribbon, fold a length of ribbon in half with a loop on one side and two tails on the other, like an awareness ribbon. Repeat on the opposite side, then place them in the Bowdabra alternating the sides of loops and tails.

Finally, use the sparkle green ribbon to make a shoelace-style bow. Find the center of a piece of 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.

Repeat another funky style bow with the black ribbon. Then make another shoelace bow with the shamrock ribbon.

End with a length of the lame ribbon which you can scrunch down from the top like an accordion.

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. Fluff and shape out the bow.

You have a bigger, better St. Patrick’s Day bow to add as a door bow, add to a wreath, or just about any décor project!