At a Glance: How to Tie a Perfect Bow
- Cross the ends and tie one knot, then make two loops. That’s how to tie a perfect bow, and it works on gifts and in hair.
- Keep the shiny side out. A twist in the ribbon is what makes a satin bow look messy.
- About 5 minutes (our estimate) and one roll of ribbon. Practice once on a can or a chair back, then tie it on the real gift.
To make a bow out of ribbon, you cross the ends, tie one knot, fold a loop, wrap the top tail around it, and push a second loop through the tunnel. Then you fluff the loops and trim the tails. That’s how to tie a perfect bow in 8 steps. Jump to the steps.
If your bows always come out a little floppy or crooked, you’re not alone. It’s not your hands. It’s two tiny moments in the knot, and once you see them, every bow comes out even.
This guide uses smooth satin ribbon, the soft and shiny kind that looks great on gifts and in hair. Want stiff, puffy bows for wreaths instead? Our guide to tying 3 bows with ribbon covers wired ribbon.
You only need two things, and you might have both already. If you’re shopping for ribbon, get a set with a few colors. One-inch satin is a nice size for gifts and hair bows, and a set gives you a color for every occasion. It’s thinner than the wide ribbon in our photos, so your bow will come out a little smaller. (paid link)
- Soft Pastel Rainbow Set: Includes 6 rolls of pastel satin ribbon pack in gentle spring-inspired...
- 1 Inch x 60 Yards Value Pack: The 1 inch width is easy to use for wrapping, tying and decorating...
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What do you need to tie a perfect bow?
Makes one bow
- Satin ribbon. About 1 yard for a 1-inch gift bow (our estimate). Wide ribbon for a sash needs about 2 yards (our estimate).
- Sharp scissors. Fabric scissors give the cleanest angled cut.
Quick tip: Tie it around a big can or a chair back the first time. It holds the ribbon steady so you can watch the knot form.
Safety first: Keep ribbon and bows away from little kids and pets. Ribbon is a choking and strangling risk, so never tie a bow around a small child’s or a pet’s neck. Let kids help with the loops, and keep the scissors with a grown-up.
How do you tie a perfect bow with satin ribbon?
Here’s how to tie a perfect bow in 8 easy steps. Plan on about 5 minutes the first time and about 1 minute after that (our estimate).
Step 1: Cut the ribbon
Cut more ribbon than you think you need. Wide ribbon eats up length fast, and you can always trim the tails at the end. You can’t add length back.
Step 2: Cross the ribbon
Bring both ends around to the front. Cross the left end over the right end to make an X. Keep the ribbon flat with the shiny side out, so it doesn’t bunch up.
Step 3: Tie the base knot
Tuck the top end under and pull it up through the center. Pull it snug. Now the ribbon runs in four directions: out to both sides, one end up and one end down. That four-way pull is what keeps the finished bow straight.
Step 4: Make the first loop
Take the end that points down and fold it up into a loop, like a bunny ear. Hold it flat across the knot with your thumb.
Step 5: Wrap the top end to make a tunnel
Bring the end that points up down over the front of your first loop. Wrap it around the back, snug against your thumb. This makes a little opening behind the wrap. That’s your tunnel.
Step 6: Push the second loop through
Don’t pull the whole end through. Fold a bit of it into a second loop and push the fold through the tunnel with your finger. Pull it out the other side, and you’ve got two loops.
Step 7: Fluff and center it
Pull both loops at the same time to tighten the knot. Then slip a finger into each loop and open it up. If one loop is bigger, tug the tail on that side and it’ll shrink. Slide the knot a little to center it.
Step 8: Trim the tails
Let the tails hang down. Trim them to the same length. Cut each end at an angle, or fold the end in half and cut up toward the fold for a V notch. Both look clean and help stop fraying.
Dull scissors chew satin and leave a fuzzy end. A pair of fabric scissors you keep just for ribbon cuts it clean. (paid link)
- Ultra Sharp Fabric Scissors: Wteehn sewing scissors for fabric cutting is made of high-quality...
- Professional Fabric Sewing Scissors: Our tailor scissors are designed for fabric cutting and sewing...
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Here’s the same bow in one picture. The graphic packs our 8 steps into 6 panels.
Variation: how to make a double bow
A double bow uses 2 pieces of ribbon for a fuller look. Two colors look extra pretty.
- Cut the ribbon in half. Start with twice the length you’d use for one bow, fold it in half, and cut at the fold. Now each piece is full length.
- Stack the pieces. Lay one on top of the other with both shiny sides facing out.
- Tie it like one ribbon. Follow Steps 2 to 8 above, holding the 2 layers together the whole way.
- Show both layers. Tug the loops and tails until both colors peek out the way you like.
Prefer to watch? Here’s a short video on tying a bow.
Two easy things to get right
Keep the shiny side out. Satin has a front and a back. If the ribbon flips while you wrap it, one loop ends up dull or twisted. If that happens, untie it back to step 2 and start the cross again. It’s quicker than trying to fix it.
Uneven loops? Use the tails. If the bow sits straight but one loop is bigger, don’t retie it. Pull the tail on the big loop’s side, and that loop gets smaller. Then fluff both loops again.
What does a ribbon bow cost?
These are our estimates. Prices change, so check before you shop.
- Under $5: One spool of satin ribbon from the craft store. That’s enough for several gift bows.
- About $15 to $20: A few spools in different colors, so you’ve got one for every party on the calendar.
- About $30: Wide ribbon for a dress sash in 2 colors, so you can tie a double bow too.
Where can you use a ribbon bow?
Almost anywhere. Tie it on a gift, a hair clip, a wreath, a dress sash or a party chair. Satin is soft, so it’s great on clothes and in hair.
Here’s how you know you nailed it: both loops match and the knot sits flat in the middle. The tails hang the same length, too. Snap a photo before you hand over the gift.
Want more gift ideas? Try our curling ribbon bows for a quick bouncy topper, or browse our gift wrapping ideas for the paper underneath.
You’ve got this
Learning how to make a bow out of ribbon takes one practice run. Once it clicks, how to tie a perfect bow is just cross, knot, two loops and a fluff. After a couple of gifts, you won’t even need to look.
Show us your bows
We’d love to see what you tie. Share a photo on our Facebook page, save this one to your gift wrap board on Pinterest, and find more easy craft ideas on Instagram.
A few helpful answers
How to tie a perfect bow FAQs
Loop size and ribbon length.
Keep the shiny side out and tie a flat base knot. Then pull both loops at the same time and fluff them. If one loop is bigger, tug the tail on that side.
About 1 yard makes a 1-inch gift bow, and a wide sash bow needs about 2 yards. These are our estimates. Cut extra, since you can trim the tails but can’t add length.
Keep the shiny side facing out the whole time and hold the first loop flat with your thumb. If a loop twists anyway, untie it back to the cross and start again.
Wrap the ribbon around the box first, then follow the same steps on top. It’s the same knot, so the bow holds on slippery satin.
Cut your ribbon in half, stack the 2 pieces, and tie them as one ribbon. Then adjust the loops so both layers show. Two colors look extra pretty.
