The Art of Tying a Perfect Bow

Knowing how to tie a perfect bow can come in handy sometimes. Whether you are wrapping a gift, making a craft, tying a dress or putting a ribbon in your child's hair .. there are many ways to show off your newly learned skill. Below are three bows that I learned to tie via Ms. Stewart:

The Favorite Bow
Perfectly suited for wire-edge or stiff ribbons that hold their shape. You'll need at least twelve inches of ribbon just for the bow. If wrapping a box, first tie a left-over-right half-knot.

Bow How-To:1. Shape two evenly sized loops, one in each side of the ribbon.
2. Cross right loop over left one.
3. Knot loops by threading right loop behind left one, under, and up through the hole; make sure ribbon is not twisted or bunched.
4. Pull loops into a smooth knot. Adjust loops; trim tails to be slightly longer than loops.

The Double Bow

To make a perfect double bow, leave enough tail on both ends of the first bow to make the second one. An extra set of hands is also helpful to ensure that loops are taut. First, follow directions for the favorite bow, leaving an even tail on both sides; don't finish ends.

Bow How-To:

1. Position bow horizontally, and determine which tail exits the knot on the top, and which exits underneath. Make a loop in each tail.
2. Cross top loop over bottom one.
3. Knot by threading top loop behind bottom one, under, and up through the hole; make sure ribbon is not twisted or bunched.
4. Pull loops to tighten; make sure knot of second bow overlaps knot of first. Trim tails, and arrange loops.

The Winged Bow
This classic treatment is simple and not frilly.  You'll need twelve to fourteen inches of ribbon to work with after encircling the object; use a right-over-left half-knot to secure the object.

Bow How-To:

1. Cross left tail over right one.
2. Knot ribbon by threading left tail behind right one, under, and up through the hole; make sure ribbon is not twisted or bunched.
3. Pull evenly on tails until ribbon has tightened into a clean, smooth knot.
4. Arrange folds, and trim ends of ribbon.

Happy Bow Making!