How to make a three-layer lantern swag with Bowdabra

Create a gorgeous spring three-layer lantern swag with Bowdabra®—using greenery, filler flowers, and a bow that combines a classic fold-and-twist with easy-to-shape shoelace bows and a sweet center button loop. This is the kind of ribbon project that fluffs beautifully. (Especially with wired ribbon!) The best part is that you can make it in minutes!

Materials:

1 yard – 1252.40/10-620 Burlap wired ribbon 1 ½” wide Orange

1 yard – 1252.40/10-027 Burlap wired ribbon 1 ½” wide Hot Lime

2 yards – 7275.60/10-620 Carrot toss ribbon, 2 ½” wide white/orange

Black ribbon

Foliage bush

Filler flower bush

Large lantern

Bowdabra bow maker

Bowdabra bow wire

Instructions:

First, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire.  Make sure it is long enough to be able to use the excess to tie it to the Lantern. 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, lay in the greenery and follow with the filler flowers.

Lay in the pre-dovetailed tails. Now, using the carrot toss ribbon, create a 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.

Next, use the green burlap ribbon to make a shoelace-style bow. To make a little shoelace bow, find the center of the pre-dovetailed 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, matching the length of the previous ribbon’s loops.

Repeat this step with the black ribbon again, matching the lengths of the previous ribbon’s loops. Follow this with one more shoelace bow using the orange burlap ribbon.

Finishing the three-layer lantern swag:

To finish, use a small piece of carrot toss ribbon to make a button loop. Place it in the Bowdabra, leave a tail on one side, and a small loop in the center.

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.

Shape and fluff the swag and arrange it.  Use the excess bow wire to tie the swag to the lantern. You have a beautiful three-layer lantern swag!