How to Make a Bow for Flowers

Cut a length of ribbon that's twice as long as the width you intend to make the bow for the flowers, plus 1/2 inch for the ribbon loops to overlap. For example, to make a 4-inch wide bow, cut 8-1/2 inches of ribbon.

Spread the ribbon out face-down on the counter. Fold the ends of the ribbon to the center, so that they overlap. Wind floral wire around the overlapped ribbon three to four times. Create as many loops as desired to increase the fullness of the bow. Cut all the ribbon pieces the same length and fold the ends to the center to ensure that the loops turn out uniform in size.

Cut another length of ribbon twice the width of the bow or longer for streamers. Snip this ribbon in half with the scissor blades angled at 45 degrees to give the streamers points. For example, make two streamers 4 to 8 inches long for a 4-inch-wide bow.

Squeeze the straight ends of the streamers together with your thumb and forefinger and wind the floral wire around them to attach them to the loops. Adjust the streamers so they hang evenly, with the points at the outside and the short edge of the angled cut at the inside.

Cut 1 1/2 to 2 inches of ribbon and place it over the wired center of the bow. Overlap the ends of this loop of ribbon to form the center of the bow. Secure the loop on the backside where the ribbon loop overlaps with fabric glue or wrap floral wire through the loop twice and twist the wire twice to hold the loop together. Leave the ends of the floral wire attached for securing the bow.

Tie a ribbon around the flowers 3 to 5 inches below the blooms. Tie a loose bow in the ribbon the way you tie your shoes so it will be easy to remove if the recipient wants to take it off. Cut the ends of the ribbon to 1 inch. Wrap the ends of the bow's wire around a floral pick and push the pick behind the the ribbon tied around the stems. Alternatively, push the floral wire into the stems behind this ribbon to hold the bow in place.