Gift wrapping awkward shapes with a tailored ribbon bow

 

If you tried to tie a bow around a silk scarf wrapped in tissue, or a pile of delicate biscuits, it would crumple up and be hard work to tie, so here I am going to show you a simple and effective ‘tailored ribbon bow’ technique using some classic Black stitched ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

It is really popular with mail order companies as it travels extremely well and you only need to use a minimum amount of ribbon.

To make this bow you will only require a reversible ribbon and some Double sided tape. In this DIY project I am going to add the bow around a gift voucher placed in an envelope

 

 

You will firstly cut a small piece off the end of the roll and this will need to be approximately three times the width of the ribbon (if your ribbon is 1 cm wide you will need to cut off 3 cms). Add double sided tape along this small piece that you have cut off.

 

 

Next you need to add a small piece of double sided tape at the end of the roll.  You’ll now need to roll the ribbon into a circle and stick so it now looks like a figure of ‘9’

 

 

 

Squeeze the circle and add a small sticky piece in the centre, sticking the sides around the back.

 

Finally you will measure your ribbon by going around the item ensuring there is a slight overlap of approximately 2 inches (5cms).

 

 

 

You can also add more than one bow to give an eye-catching and luxurious effect.  Here I have pleated the paper Japanese style.

 

 

 

 

And I love the simplicity of this white leather bow belt, such a timeless piece.

(courtesy of imgfave)

 

 

 

I’ve decorated a Mother’s Day gift in scented floral drawer liners and added some lace along with this simple bow to give the gift wrapping a chic statement.

 

 

 

 

This is also a great technique to decorate a cake, and here I have layered a couple of ribbons for a dramatic effect for the forthcoming Cake and Bake Show I will be exhibiting at in October.

 

 

 

 

I hope that you have great fun making this bow and please pop by and say hello if you’re at the Cake and Bake Show, I will be there making an odd appearance!