Tutorial :: Ribbon Gift Bow

I have a new tutorial for you today as a part of the Ribbon Jar blog hop!

The Ribbon Jar is an online shop that carries a variety of gorgeous ribbon and trims.

Julie, the owner,  has amazing taste and her selection shows it.   The shop has classic grosgrain, pom pom trims and fancy jacquard ribbons.   You’ll be hard pressed to find something you don’t like!

From our studio in Salem, Oregon, we hand-pick the finest ribbons and trims from around the world to bring you fresh designs, funky retro patterns, lovely vintage trim, and of course the classic staples. Whether you are sewing, scrapping or wrapping, our woven ribbons will add a special touch to your latest project.

Julie sent me a sampling of ribbon and also gave me the chance to pick some to try.    I made several projects this week to show you ways you can use ribbons to add a special touch to your project!

When making clothing, ribbons can be used lots of ways.    I used a jacquard from Anna Maria Horner to add a pop of color at the waist seam of a Washi tunic.    This is a more expensive ribbon and you don’t need much to use it in this way.

For the drawstring bag I used a whimsical measuring tape ribbon instead of sewn fabric ties.    This is one of my favorite ribbons!

I also made a simple key chain by sewing the ribbon right on to a piece of fabric.

I will share each project in more detail this week, but I wanted to give you a little bit of inspiration.   On to the tutorial!

:: Ribbon Gift Bow Tutorial ::

Supplies: 

  • 2 yards ribbon (makes one 5″ bow)  I used this ribbon for the main bow and this for the backing.
  • covered button (I used 3/4″)
  • fabric scrap
  • glue gun + sticks
  • scissors

Step 1:

Begin by cutting your ribbon.   You will need (6) pieces measuring 7.5″ and (3) measuring 5″


Step 2:

Fold your  ribbon to create a loop as shown below.   For the large (7.5″ pieces) you will overlap your ribbon by 1/2″, for the small (5″ pieces) you will overlap by 1/4″.  Use a drop of hot glue to secure.  Repeat for all 9 pieces.

Step 3:

Take your largest loops and place as shown, securing with glue as you add each piece.

Step 4:

Repeat the process for your (3) smallest loops, placing as shown below.

Step 5:

Place your small loop piece inside of the larger one, line up the smaller loops so that they each rest in between (2) larger loops as shown.  Secure with hot glue.

Step 6:

After making a covered button with your fabric scrap, glue to the center of your bow.   You can then attach a small piece of ribbon to the back so that your bow is easy to secure to your package.

Pop on your package and you’re done.  So much better then a store bought bow!

You can experiment with the size of your ribbons to create different finished bow sizes.   I’m looking forward to Holiday wrapping so that I can make some more!

I hope you enjoy!

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  • Courtney Elwell

    I loooove ribbon! Thanks for the cute ideas and the chance to win!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah L.

    I love that ruler ribbon. So cute!ReplyCancel

  • Pamela Adams

    I love that tape measure ribbon. It would be so cute in a quilt!ReplyCancel

  • buntyw

    Thanks for a great tutorial!
    I love the ruler ribbon!ReplyCancel

  • Amy DeCesare

    It’s just awesome! I love that tape measure ribbon to pieces!!! If I were at that party, I would be in charge of the “trash” bag. 😉 Not that anyone would be able to throw that bow away, but just in case!ReplyCancel

  • Jill

    I took at peek at her shop– what a great selection! I can’t wait to get some of the organic cotton ribbon.ReplyCancel

  • Allison C

    That measuring tape ribbon is awesome! I must get some.ReplyCancel

  • ellisonlanequilts

    I love that measuring tape ribbon. SO cute! Great tutorial Linds.ReplyCancel

  • Ellen M.

    Thanks for the introduction to a new source for ribbon, and the great tutorial. With the holidays coming it will be fun to make my own bows! Thanks also for the giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • nicke

    seriously, adorable!ReplyCancel

  • Amy in UK

    Brilliant bow – I will be making one for my Christmas swap recipient to jazz up the parcel!!! Thanks for making it an international giveaway too!ReplyCancel

  • lizzie

    .I was admiring your measuring tape ribbon when you posted the drawstring bag (and a child’s tunic?) a week or so ago. Pompoms too–heavenly shop! Thanks for the giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • anna

    love this lindsey! fun details!!!ReplyCancel

  • rosa

    It`s vety cute.Thanks for the tutorial!!ReplyCancel

  • Flying Blind

    Super cute!ReplyCancel

  • Suz

    Fab idea!ReplyCancel

  • mary m

    that is so cute, and so easy! I’m totally making bows for christmas this way.ReplyCancel

  • Joyce

    Wonderful idea…I have lots of leftover ribbon!ReplyCancel

  • VickiT

    This is wonderful. I tried making my own ribbons a few months ago when I had run out of the color needed to match my wrapping paper. Worst idea EVER! LOL This will be SO helpful. Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Amy-duringquiettime

    Gosh, this are beautiful ribbons. I am such a sucker for ribbons too. They are just so tempting!ReplyCancel

  • Susan

    I adore ribbons! When I saw the cute tape measure ribbon I drooled!ReplyCancel

  • lynaeve

    awesome giveaway. thanks for the chanceReplyCancel

  • Lori Smanski

    I love ribbon and lace. thanks for a chance to winReplyCancel

  • happygrape2

    super awesome ribbons!
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful blog and great giveaway.ReplyCancel

  • Marshall

    What an awesome tutorial! I especially love that ribbon too. Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Ribbon Gift Bow Tutorial and a Giveaway – LR Stitched · Indie Crafts | CraftGossip.com

    […] start decorating presents. For those of you who are helpless at wrapping, LR Stitched has a lovely tutorial on how to make the perfect ribbon gift bow. And to help you on your way to ribbon craftiness, you can also enter to win a $25 gift card to The […]ReplyCancel

  • Liz

    I love ribbon too. Thanks for the chance in the giveaway.ReplyCancel

  • MelodyJ

    Great tutorial!

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)comReplyCancel

  • mary mac

    Fantastic idea. I have never been very good at making bows.ReplyCancel

  • twocheekymonkeys

    Oooh, this is such a simple, but clever, tutorial – thanks!ReplyCancel

  • Kate R

    What a clever bow. Thanks for the tutorial. And I just LOVE that tape measuring ribbon. So cute!!ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer Shelton

    Thank you for the ribbon tips and for alerting me to a new and wonderful ribbon supply!ReplyCancel

  • Brenda

    I always thought bows were hard to make, but with your lovely tutorial, I know I could actually make some. Thank You! Oh, I’m loving the measure tape ribbon!!ReplyCancel

  • lisa

    Love the tape ribbon!!ReplyCancel

  • Lori

    That ribbon is adorable! Thanks for the tutorial.ReplyCancel

  • Ning Fathia

    I love what you do with the ribbon and no stitching necessary!ReplyCancel

  • Shanny Kho

    OMG! The ribbons are so cute! Plus no stitching, just what I needed! Thanks.ReplyCancel

  • Kate

    What a swell idea – thanks so much for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • Bev C

    Hello Lindsey,That tape is super cute. You would want to keep the parcel intact instead of opening it.
    Happy days.
    Bev.xoxoReplyCancel

  • Barbara

    That is so “Cool”. What a way to stand out from the ordinary.ReplyCancel

  • Donna R

    Thank you for the tutorial. I will definitely have t try this. Love that tape measure ribbon. How fun is that.ReplyCancel

  • annehaun

    Lovely tutorial – thanks for the chance to win.ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth Visak

    I loved learning how to make a bow. And I especially love your ribbons!ReplyCancel

  • Tanja H

    I love the creative use of ribbon. My fav is the ribbon belt.ReplyCancel

  • barbara n

    Thanks for showing me how to make this bow….somehow you make it look so easy….hope it really isReplyCancel

  • Fran

    great tutorIal! Love the measuring tape ribbon !ReplyCancel

  • Haley D.

    Very clever! Thanks so much for this tutorial. I will have to try to make some soon.ReplyCancel

  • Evelyn Harrell

    this was a great tutorial. I’m going to give it a try. Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Michele T

    This is such a neat idea!! Love it, thanks for sharing 😉ReplyCancel

  • mary fanara coleman

    Would love to win it….and thanks for the bow tutorial.ReplyCancel

  • Stacey

    What a gorgeous bow, and it looks deceptively difficult. I may ave to break out the glue gun. Also love the measuring tape ribbon!ReplyCancel

  • Sande L.

    Fantastic giveaway and I would love to win. You can never have enough ribbon. Ever! Your bow tutorial made something that looks complicated so easy to do. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win. Off to the other blogs I go.ReplyCancel

  • Kathi

    Tis’ the season for making bows. Thanks for the giveawayReplyCancel

  • Mary lou

    Finally my presents will look beautiful! Thank you for your tutorial!!ReplyCancel

  • Heather

    Wow! I think that even I could make that bow! Thanks for the tutorial!ReplyCancel

  • Kim Hamilton

    Thanks so much for the tutorial! I have been trying to figure out how to make cute bows forever! This is darling and I love your ribbon!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • amyis300

    What a great idea, and I LOVE the measuring tape ribbon!!!ReplyCancel

  • Barbara (cookie)

    This one cutest ribbons I’ve seen & tape measure is darling,Who would thounk it ha,ha, Hope I win,,,,,Cookie 17ReplyCancel

  • Susan Kaltenbach

    That measuring tape ribbon is perfect for so many gift wrappings for my quilting friends. I love it.ReplyCancel

  • MaryB

    Love the tape measure bow. Thanks for offering the chance to win.ReplyCancel

  • Christina

    Ribbon is so much fun!ReplyCancel

  • Jane Thomas

    Love ribbon. In fact, my friends say I am a ribbon w***e and it is true. Can’t get enough ribbon.ReplyCancel

  • Marlene

    I love your tutorial and the tape ribbon is wonderfulReplyCancel

  • Ramona Dobie

    Seems easy enough to do. I’m gathering supplies now. I can’t wait!ReplyCancel

  • Jeanette

    I love the measuring tape ribbon! Makes a very cute bow.ReplyCancel

  • Tammy Hempel

    I think the measuring tape bows are great!! Thank you for the tut on how to make them. It does not look hard and they look very good.ReplyCancel

  • Tamie

    I’d love some of these ribbons. They are beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • Ellen

    Oh my great ideas!! Love to winReplyCancel

  • Christine Bolin

    I love the bow! Christmas will be interesting at my house this year.ReplyCancel

  • Karen

    I really like that ribbon. The tut is great.ReplyCancel

  • Emily C

    Love the measuring tape ribbon, so cute.ReplyCancel

  • Darla

    I can’t wait to try this on this year’s packages. I pick a theme for the wrap every year, so this will be a great style to incorporate.ReplyCancel

  • Katy

    Oooh, love that measuring tape ribbon! I suck at pressie wrapping though, can I use mine for something else? 😉

    Thanks for the chance to win!ReplyCancel

  • Trin @ ramsaygrace (@ramsaygrace)

    First of all, you made that ribbon creation look so easy….I’m thinking maybe even I could do it. Love the cute measuring tape ribbon. I’m thinking it would be really cute on a wreath for a teacher’s gift. Thanks for sharing…pinning your tutorial now. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • jeannegwin

    I am impressed and love the idea of the measuring tape use. Thanks for a chance to win this nice giveaway. Can think of about 1000 things I could spend it on at the Ribbon Jar.ReplyCancel

  • Pennie

    I Love these. What a great idea. Thank you for a chance to win a nice giveaway.ReplyCancel

  • Cary

    I love your bow with the tape measure ribbon!ReplyCancel

  • mrcrafterennis

    Hi, Thank you for the chance to win from the ribbon jar. Now that I know how to make the bows I will need it.ReplyCancel

  • sandra k williams

    i make things to sale and i love using ribbons. so you can bet i love the ideas you showed.ReplyCancel

  • wendy

    the ribbon bow is so cute, I have a LOT of ribbon!ReplyCancel

  • Deidra

    I know what I’m making for ribbons this Christmas. Love it!ReplyCancel

  • Becky Jordan-Tracey

    Thanks for this tutorial, I love it! I also love the gingham ribbon at the Ribbon Jar!ReplyCancel

  • Nancy D

    Finally! A pretty bow that I think even I can make! Now all I need is the supplies 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Anna

    Love the tutorial. And ribbon.ReplyCancel

  • Christine Potter

    I loved the tutorial. Super cute idea.ReplyCancel

  • Connie

    Love the tape measure ribbon and the tutorial.ReplyCancel

  • Angie

    The herringbone ribbons are so cute! I also love all the choices they have for pom poms and the velvet ribbons too. The bow you made is adorable. That ruler ribbon would be so hard to resist!ReplyCancel

  • Secret Burkheiser

    What a great giveaway! I love the measuring tape ribbon! Would be great for all of my sewing friends gifts,ReplyCancel

  • Annette Deardurff

    Thanks for the chance to win – The Ribbon Jar is a great website! Love their ribbons and trims!ReplyCancel

  • Paula

    That is sooooo cute!ReplyCancel

  • Jennyroo

    I love all of the Anna Maria Horner ribbons. And the measuring tape is too cute!ReplyCancel

  • mary rok

    Great Idea for all types of ribbon.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer

    This is such a simple tutorial that I think I’m going to give it a try! Thank you for sharing it 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Marlena

    I love their velvet ribbon selection.ReplyCancel

  • moonsword

    Supercool idea! I’d love to try it with their gorgeous jacquards too…cheers!ReplyCancel

  • Meari

    Thanks for sharing your tutorial. 🙂 I’d love to be included in your drawing.ReplyCancel

  • ksciarrino

    Their herringbone is stamptastic too! Cute bows.ReplyCancel

  • Kay Lemieux

    WOW I never knew there such neat ribbons out there!
    Very inspiring bow. I have to try that for sure 🙂ReplyCancel

  • erin

    what a cute way to wrap a present!ReplyCancel

  • Kimberly

    That bow is a million times better than a store bought bow! <3 The website is great, I esp love the herringbone ribbons.ReplyCancel

  • Julie

    These bows are fabulous! Great tutorial, I’ll definitely be giving these a try. Thank you for participating in the Blog Hop!ReplyCancel

  • thespunmonkey

    Great projects! I’m having fun hopping around. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie Olmsted (@acottagedream)

    Love this bow and thanks for tutorial. Great timing in time for Christmas.ReplyCancel

  • Leslie

    Love, Love the tape measure ribbon bows!ReplyCancel

  • Christina at I Gotta Create!

    I am in love with your measuring tape gift bow!!! Pinning!

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original link party is open.ReplyCancel

  • Lynne Ryder

    What a gorgeous bow, I am to late for the competition but just had to say a big thank you for the tutorial. It makes life so much easier . Kind regards
    LynneReplyCancel

  • Twelve Gift Bow Tutorials

    […] Ribbon gift bow tutorial […]ReplyCancel

  • Marija Vujcic

    Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial, I just LOVE this bow! I think all my quilting friends are getting one this holiday season ! Yeah, I went straight to Ribbon Jar to order some yards of this one!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sarah

    I would love to win and thank so much for this fantastic tutorial!ReplyCancel

  • Twelve gift bow tutorials – Babync – Baby's world

    […] Ribbon gift bow tutorial […]ReplyCancel
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