How to Make a Door Bow

• 1). Determine the “style” of bow desired. Style refers to how the bow is made. For example, there is the standard two-loop bow, the florist bow and the flourish bow just, to name a few. The bow may stand on its own or incorporate two or more tails. However, the decision in this step will have an impact on the steps below.
  
  
• 2). Decide on the “type” of bow to be made. Type refers to the materials that will be used to make it. Bows can be made from paper, fabric, netting, plastic and more. They can be plain or they can be embellished. Some types of embellishment can be incorporated directly into the material, such as a pattern, a picture or wording (for holiday themes or special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries). Other embellishments can be added during or after the bow is made. Therefore, this decision will have an impact on the remaining steps below.
  
  
• 3). Choose a color for the bow. Having a backup color is advisable in the event the first choice color cannot be located.
  
  
• 4). Purchase the supplies necessary to complete the bow. These will include the bow material, wire or pipe cleaners, thread or string and any desired accessories like faux greenery or flowers.
  
  
• 5). Make a standard two-loop bow. Gather a rabbit-ear loop in the size desired, holding it in the left hand. Make sure that the “tail” of the bow is the length desired. Take the remaining material into the right hand. Loop it around the rabbit ear, leaving the thumb of the left hand in between the rabbit ear and the gathered material. Make a right-hand rabbit ear and push it through the hole between the thumb and the loop. Pull the two ears tightly together and adjust as desired.
  
  
• 6). Make a florist bow. Make the first loop as described in Step 5. Now, make a second loop of the same type, this time pointing downward. Repeat this procedure until the bow is as full as you want it (usually six or seven loops). Use wire or a pipe cleaner to secure the bow into place, twisting it tightingly closed in the back. Add tails to the bow if desired by attaching long strips of the material in the center and securing the to the bow with the wire or pipe cleaner used to close off the bow.
  
  
• 7). Make a flourish bow using the florist method described in Step 6, graduating the size of the bow loops with each pass and increasing the number of loops to between seven and nine on each end. Add at least two additional tails for a total of between four and six.
  
  
• 8). Incorporate accessories to the bow as you make it. For example, to add glitter netting or metallic roping, cut off a piece of the material that is about the same length as the entire bow. Lay the netting or roping across the bow, holding it in place with the left thumb. Repeat the procedure for each double loop made. Once the bow is tied together, the accessory pieces can be molded or draped as desired.
  
  
• 9). Add accessory items to the bow after it is made. Accessories typically include things like silk flowers or greenery, holiday decor, beads or other jewels. Secure the accessories to the bow with an adhesive made for the types of material being used. Spray bows with glitter or opalescent spray to add a touch of glitz.
  
  
• 10
  
  Cluster multiple smaller like bows together for a unique effective.