HOW TO TIE BOWS & KNOTS for cards, projects and paper crafts

I'm so thrilled with the comments my blog candy is receiving! I especially appreciate hearing what you would like added to this blog so it can be a place you want to return to again and again, and refer your stamping/scrapbooking friends to visit! Your feedback is invaluable to me.I am going to respond to one request I received from Fiona Whitehead, who left me this comment: "I'd love to see some features with ribbons on them - they seem to be a bit of bane of my life tying them correctly..."

Fiona, I just sent my Stampin' Up! customers a newsletter this month with a segment on Bow & Knot Tying! Since you have specifically asked about this very subject, I am happy to pass along the same information here-I'm sure there are others who have been challenged by tying bows as you have. Enjoy-and keep the comments coming...

Debbie's TIP of the Month: Bow & Knot tying!

Are YOU bow or knot-tying challenged? Well, I have a solution for you! When you come to my Stamp Studio again, you will notice this addition to my bulletin board-a poster I created showing various bows & knot tying samples. Stampin' Up! shared some of these in our latest Stampin' Success magazine-a monthly publication Stampin' Up! provides for its Stampin Up! demonstrators! I was so thrilled to see this information-and can't wait to share it with you, because over the past 12 years I've been a demonstrator, bow tying is probably the one thing that many people find frustrating! Many of my customers over the years have asked me to help tie those bows at Card Camps and workshops you've attended! I hope that these tips will be helpful to you! (click on poster to see it larger)

(click on Bow Titles to see an example-ARTWORK copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2008)

CLASSIC KNOT
Want to tie the perfect knot? Ask any boy scout to teach you how to
tie a square knot, and you've got it!

1 Start with your ribbon around your card or project with ends
pointing away from you.
2 Cross left end over right end, wrap around, and pull through. Make
sure to pull gently to avoid twisting or wrinkling your ribbon.
3 Place your finger in the middle to hold ribbon tight. Cross right
end over left end, wrap around, and pull through. Pull knot gently,untwisting and arranging ribbon as needed.
4 Trim ends.
Tip: Wrap your ribbon around an object to tie your knot. Then just
slide it off the object and you've got a loop to work with.

CLASSIC BOW (alone)
If you simply want a bow without tying it around anything, the
concept is rather simple.
1 Fold the ribbon back and forth to form two loops (or bunny ears).
2 Tie the two bunny ears together, left over right.
3 Pull gently, and trim ends as desired.

This classic bow is an easy way to add an accent to your project
without wrapping the ribbon around an element of your project.
Tie this classic bow, and adhere it to your project with Glue Dots.

To make a Classic Bow (around a card or object):
1 Start with your ribbon around the card or object. Cross left end
over right end, wrap around, and pull through.
2 Make a loop with the ribbon that is now on the right side. Bring
left end toward you and around the loop.
3 Push left end through hole forming a second loop.
4 Pull loops gently.

Once you've got the classics down, you'll want to add some diversity to your projects by trying these variations. And honestly, you might find these variations easier than the classics. Experiment a bit and see what you discover!

TIERED BOW
1 Choose two or three widths and types of ribbon. We've used
Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon and the wide Chocolate Chip
satin ribbon from Theater Ribbon Originals®.
2 Cut the widest ribbon the longest (Theater Ribbon Originals) and
the narrowest ribbon the shortest (Chocolate Chip grosgrain).
If you're using a third width of ribbon, cut it to a length in between
the others.
3 Trim ends as desired.
4 Layer the ribbon with the longest and widest ribbon on the bottom
and the shortest and narrowest on top. Tie the stacked ribbons in
the center with another piece of ribbon.
5 Trim and conceal the ribbon tails or use them to secure the bow to
the card or package.

TAILORED BOW
1 Cut a piece of ribbon or paper twice the desired length of the
finished bow. We used Old Olive Prints Designer Series paper.
2 Form into a loop and secure ends together. Flatten the loop and
secure in the center.
3 Wrap another piece of ribbon around the center, and adhere the
ends to the back of the finished bow.

With a little practice, you can master a variety of knots and bows, adding beauty and diversity to your projects. Have fun with it! Feel free to share this blog with your friends!