Happy Thanksgiving Week! I’ll be sharing tons of deals and reviews on here all week for Black Friday, but first wanted to post a quick tutorial per popular request. This year, with Nori’s things slowly but surely taking over our entire condo, we opted for a smaller, slim cut Christmas tree great for city spaces. As for decor, I decided to go glam on top with green velvet bows and pearl ornaments, and toddler-friendly down low with a couple of stuffed unicorns and llamas (which she’s currently obsessed with!). I ran out of velvet ribbon so sprinkled in a few buffalo check bows and loved the mix. For those who prefer a video tutorial, see my IG Reel tutorial.
If you’re feeling bow envy from all the perfectly fluffed bows this season, you’ll be surprised at how easy these are to make. After some trial and error, I found two foolproof ways and am sharing tutorials for both styles below! In addition to dressing up your tree, these are perfect adorning a wreath or Christmas stockings, along a garland, or on top of presents. I also uploaded a step by step on my Instagram stories since it might be easier to see in video form!
1. Double Loop Bow tutorial
Materials
- Wired ribbon of your choice (very important to use wired!). I needed 10 yards total to make 5 bows.
- A book based on the size of your desired bow (I used one that’s 8 inches wide)
- String
- Scissors
How-To
- Piece A – the ears of the bow: Measure out a piece of ribbon by wrapping it twice around a book, and cut about an inch past the center. For each piece of wired ribbon you cut, make sure to fold the wires underneath so they aren’t poking out.
- Slide the ribbon off of the book while still keeping it folded. I found it helpful to keep my thumb in place in the middle.
- Cut a piece of string a couple of inches long and tie it tightly around Piece A in a double knot. Trim the ends of the string after tying.
- Piece B – the center of the bow: Cut a shorter piece of ribbon about the same length as your hand. Fold the ribbon in half hot dog-style if you’d like a narrower center piece. Place this piece underneath Piece A.
- Piece C – the tails of the bow: Cut a longer piece of ribbon at about arm’s length, longer or shorter based on how you want the tails to look. Bend it into an upside down V shape, and place it (velvet side facing down) on top. After taking these photos I started tying my string around both Pieces A and C (instead of just Piece A) to make the whole bow more secure.
- Wrap the ends of Piece B around the center to secure the bow and tail together, and twist the ends like a twist tie.
- Flip the bow over and gently pull apart the bow ears and shape them to be more full using your hands (sometimes I use a wooden rod / kitchen tool to help fluff!) Voila!
2. Single Loop Bow
How To
- Unlike the first bow style, this option uses one long piece of ribbon for both the bow and tails. I started by making one “bunny ear,” pinched it with my fingers, and made another one.
- Similar to the double loop bow tutorial, cut a piece of string and tie it tightly in a double knot around the center of the ribbon.
- Cut a small piece of ribbon about the length of your palm and use it as the bow center to conceal the string.
Hi, I know this is an old post but I found your beautiful tree in Pinterest!
I was hoping you can tell me how you hung the bows please.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for sharing this super great DIY! Definitely needed it! Hehe love the Christmas vibes!
XO, Elizabeth T.
Hi Jean,
Do you mind sharing where you got your tree skirt from?
Thanks!
Hi Jean! Where did you get the stuffed unicorns and llamas!!!!?
From Michaels!
You have a very lovely family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for the clever tutorial!
Hi Jean! I was wondering where did you get your stockings from?
Hi! Ive gotten them from a mix of places over the years unfortunately. THe cable and faux fur are Target though and they usually have something similar!
What a gorgeous tree and I love the family PJs! Thanks so much for the bow tutorial – I always struggle this time of year to come up with pretty bows :/ Your living room is beautiful!
Ruth
Love the way you decorated your tree! Love all the greens so different from the traditional red and green! I might try decorating my tree with all green!
Jae
Samsung can be an investment, but it’s worth it. Super reliable. Had our 40inch flat screen for years without complaints. Blu-Ray player great, too.
How do you attach the bows to the tree? Ornament hangers?
Because they are made of wired ribbon and hold their shape, I just had to place them on the tree and they stay put. If you want to hang them, you can add a wire loop or a piece of string / thin ribbon as a “tie” and fold it into the center piece that’s cinching the bow.
We love our frame tv too! It was our “all year” gift to each other a few years ago (we bought it around the holidays and then didn’t buy gifts for each other the following year). We still get people who are surprised when we turn the tv on.
Thanks Jean! Quick question on the samsung frame TVs, are they usually 1k or is that after the 50% off retail?
Thanks!
If you go to Samsung’s website the usual price is listed there for each size. I have the 55 inch size and it was originally $2,000.
Jean! I actually bought this exact ribbon at Michaels this past Sunday! It was 50% off plus I used a 20% off purchase coupon. Ive been making 8-loop bows to go on my pre lit wreaths and garland. For mine, one 15ft roll makes one 8 loop bow with long elegantly curled tails. I learned how to make them after watching a tutorial from the Hallmark channels ‘Home & Family’ show. I love this ribbon too, its just simple and elegant!
I hope your family has a happy Thankgiving!
Jean, what was the Black Friday deal for the TV? The 55in is currently listed on Amazon for $1097 – is that the sale price?
That is the sale price for that size, yes. If you go to Samsung’s website you can see the original prices (the 55 inch one I got was 2k).
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well, Brandi! An 8 loop bow with the velvet ribbon sounds gorgeous!
4 stockings???
Haha I’ve been collecting stockings over the years so no rhyme or reason to the 4! : )
What a clever and simple way to make such pretty bows!
Suuuch a pretty tree! I love how the green is a little bit more unique from everything else you usually see 🙂 Also nice to see this candid blogpost in the midst of all of these Black Friday craze!
Thanks for sharing!
xx Janine
This is too lovely! I’m going to do it at home for sure!
Mireia from TGL
Wait is the TV originally over 2 grand? I’m confused if the price listed is the 50% off price…I honestly just don’t know.
Haha yes that’s why I didn’t buy it for 2 years. It’s definitely pricier than the average TV so you’re paying for the aesthetic. If you go to Samsung’s website the original prices are listed for each size.
Hi Jean – what material did you use for the tree skirt? I love how fluffy it looks, like a pile of snow!
Hi Cindy, it’s just a faux fur blanket I got at Nordstrom Rack and repurposed here! You can also find affordable similar one at Target.