Do you need to know how to tie a bow? If you want to learn how to tie perfect bows on packages or for use in decorations, then this page will help guide you through the process. It also explains about different types of ribbon. Read on to learn how to tie a bow in a number of different ways.

If you are interested in learning how to tie bows in places other than your shoes but were afraid to try, then now is the time to overcome that fear. Tying perfect bows does take a little practice, but it is well worth the time. This page is written as a companion to how to make a bow. Both pages feature bows that can be used on hair, gifts and as decoration. However, this page features bows that involve tying. How to make a bow focuses on bows that are constructed using ribbon, but are constructed using additional materials. You may also want to check out how to make and decorate a Christmas bow, which has a number of ideas that can be adapted for almost any occasion.

• Ribbon is simply narrow pieces of fabric.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z Typically, ribbon is made from silk, cotton, rayon, or nylon. However, they are defined more by the way they are woven.MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary

• • Acetate or acetate satin ribbon is stiffer than satin ribbon and inexpensive.JKM Ribbon & Trims: Helpful Hints: Did You Know? - Useful Ribbon Info
  • Chiffon ribbon is made out of plain woven, lightweight, sheer fabric that is highly twisted.Liz Claiborne: Fashion Glossary
  • Curling ribbon is specially designed to coil when drawn across a hard surface, like the blunt edge of a scissors.Google Book Search: Creative Bows Made Easy
  • Florist ribbon is shiny on one side and matte on the other and has cut, not woven, edges.Google Book Search: Creative Bows Made Easy
  • Grosgrain ribbon is a close-woven fabric ribbon with horizontal ribs. It is strong but not shiny.ZestBit: Personalized Ribbon It is easier to tie than satin and stays bowed longer.Wrapology: Printed Ribbon by Wrapology
  • Jacquard ribbon has an intricate woven pattern on it.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions H-P
  • Metallic ribbon is made using metallic fibers to give it a sparkly appearance.MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary
  • Organdy ribbon is a sheer, crisp, plain-woven ribbon.The Ribbon Jar: Definitions It is often iridescent because it is woven using two contrasting colors of yarn.MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary
  • Organza ribbon is light woven, sheer and shiny, and features a plain weave.ZestBit: Personalized Ribbon Austin Wedding Guide: Wedding Gown Terms
  • Picot Edge ribbon is a smooth ribbon with small loops made of thread along the edges.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions H-P Almost any type of ribbon can have this effect.MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary
  • Poly ribbon is made out of polypropylene and is very smooth.GiftBasketOnlineNewsletter.com: Tie Up More Profits with Beautiful Bows (October 21, 2008) It may also be weather-resistant.MasterBow: Ribbon Descriptions
  • Raffia is a fiber made from leaves, and is similar to twine.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z
  • Satin ribbon has a smooth surface and with a shine on one side.JKM Ribbon & Trims: Helpful Hints: Did You Know? - Useful Ribbon Info It is inexpensive and easy to hold, which makes it good for beginners.Crafttown.com: Bow making
  • Taffeta ribbon has a tight weave and a matte finish.MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary It can be light or medium weight and has a fine rib effect.Austin Wedding Guide: Wedding Gown Terms Taffeta ribbon is also reversible.Google Book Search: Creative Bows Made Easy
  • Tulle ribbon is made from a soft, fine netting.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z
  • Velour ribbon has a heavy, velvety texture.MasterBow: Ribbon Descriptions
  • Velvet ribbon is thick with a soft surface on one side.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z It can be difficult for beginners to use.Crafttown.com: Bow making

• • Double-faced satin ribbon is satin ribbon with a shiny appearance on both sides.ZestBit: Personalized Ribbon
  • Moiré ribbon has a watery or wavelike effect to it.Austin Wedding Guide: Wedding Gown Terms
  • Iridescent ribbon has a opalescent appearance that gives it a shimmery texture.MasterBow: Ribbon Descriptions
  • Ombre ribbon has a color effect that gradually changes shades from light to dark.The Ribbon Jar: Definitions
  • Two-sided satin ribbon has a different color on each side.ZestBit: Personalized Ribbon
  • Variegated ribbon goes from one color to another.Google Book Search: Creative Bows Made Easy

• Most varieties of ribbon are available in both wired and non-wired varieties. Most bows can be made using either type of wire. However, some bows (that are cut) require non-wired ribbon.
  • Non-wired ribbon is more versatile and allows you to use multiple colors if you wish.GiftBasketOnlineNewsletter.com: Tie Up More Profits with Beautiful Bows (October 21, 2008)
  • Wired ribbon has a thin line of wire on one or both sides.WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z It holds its shape easier and is nearly "crush-proof."Crafttown.com: Bow making It allows you to adjust it until you get the bow as you want it.About.com: Holiday Gift Wrapping Tips, p.2

• When purchasing ribbon, you will notice that it can come in spools with widths as thin as 1/4-inch upwards to 4-inches or more. | Edit| pindragleftrightfirstlastremovewarningtop7
• How much ribbon you need will depend on the type of bow you are creating and how large you want the bow to be. Typically, it takes about 5 yards to create a medium sized bow.

• This bow is tied like the way you learned to tie your shoes (the "bunny ear" method).DIY Network: Bow Basics For best results, use double-faced and/or wire-edged ribbon.The Container Store: Bow Making Tips

1. Cut a piece of ribbon to the desired length.MarthaStewart.com: Tying a Wreath Bow If you're not sure how much ribbon you need, make the bow on the ribbon spool and cut when you are finished.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos
2. Find the center of the ribbon.About.com How to Tie a Perfect Bow, p.1
3. Create two evenly-sized loops on each side of the center.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows
   • -There should be about 12 inches of ribbon between the loops.MarthaStewart.com: Tying a Wreath Bow
   • -Be careful not to to twist the ribbon.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps
4. Cross the right loop over the left loop.The Container Store: Bow Making Tips
5. Knot the loops by threading the right loop behind the left one.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows
6. Pull the loop under and up through the hole.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos Make sure it is not twisted or bunched.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows
7. Pull both loops tight.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps
8. Adjust the loops and tails until they are even.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos Re-tighten the bow if necessary.About.com How to Tie a Perfect Bow, p.3
9. If desired, you can now trim the tails and cut decorative notches in the tips.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps
10. Bow can be attached to items using green florist's wire or double-sided tape.MarthaStewart.com: Tying a Wreath Bow The Container Store: Bow Making Tips

• If you want to tie this bow using ribbon you wrap around a box, then here's how you can do it. Although this page tells how to wrap the ribbon around both sides of the box, it may be easier to simply wrap the ribbon once around the box and then tie your bow without knotting the ribbon in the center.Heidi: How to Tie a Bow This eliminates the need to hold the knot.

1. Place your box on top of your ribbon. One end of the ribbon should be slightly longer than the other.
2. Wrap the ribbon around the length of your box.MarthaStewart.com: The Perfect Package
3. When you get to the center, cross the two pieces of ribbon.MarthaStewart.com: The Perfect Package
4. Wrap the longer end of ribbon around the width of your box.MarthaStewart.com: The Perfect Package
5. Tie the two ends of ribbon in a single knot.DIY Network: Bow Basics
6. Place your thumb on the center or ask a helper to hold the knot with one finger.MarthaStewart.com: The Perfect Package DIY Network: Bow Basics
7. Create two evenly-sized loops on each side of the center.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows Be careful not to to twist the ribbon.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps
8. Cross the right loop over the left loop.The Container Store: Bow Making Tips
9. Knot the loops by threading the right loop behind the left one.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows
10. Pull the loop under and up through the hole.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos Make sure it is not twisted or bunched.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows
11. Pull both loops tight.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps
12. Adjust the loops and tails until they are even.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos Re-tighten the bow if necessary.About.com How to Tie a Perfect Bow, p.3
13. Trim the tails and notch if desired.Better Homes and Gardens: Make a Classic Bow in 4 Easy Steps

• The winged bow is very simple and can be created around any type of object. You will need at least 12 to 14 inches of ribbon to work with.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows, p.3

1. Knot the ribbon by taking one tail and crossing one over the other and then threading one end under and up through the hole.MarthaStewart.com: Bow How-Tos (The same way you start to tie your shoes.)
2. Make sure the ribbon is not twisted or bunched.MarthaStewart.com: Three Perfect Bows, p.3
3. Pull evenly on each end of the ribbon to get a smooth knot.PaperStyle: The Winged Bow
4. Trim and notch the ends of the ribbon.PaperStyle: The Winged Bow

1. Embellish the bow by adding a stem of artificial greenery or flowers.Gift Decorating.com: Step-by-Step Instructions to Create the Wintergreen Design

2. If you are wrapping the bow around the package, secure the ends around the bottom of the package.Gift Decorating.com: Step-by-Step Instructions to Create the Wintergreen Design

3. Glue a small button or rhinestone onto the center of the knot.Gift Decorating.com: Step-by-Step Instructions to Create the Valentine's Kiss Design Gift Decorating.com: Step-by-Step Instructions to Create the Classic Hollywood Design

4. Allow the tail to hang down in one direction, as opposed to facing out on each side.Gift Decorating.com: Step-by-Step Instructions to Create the Valentine's Kiss Design

• For more information on bows, check out How to Make a Bow and How to Make and Decorate a Christmas Bow. If you are looking for items to place your bows, then you should check out How to Wrap Presents, How to Make Your Own Gifts, How to Make Gift Baskets, How to Make a Christmas Wreath or How to Buy a Christmas Tree.