Decorative Packaging

The charm of pew bows can be created simply with several ribbons in bow combinations, or made more elaborate with the addition of strings of pearls and graceful lengths of tulle flowing from pew to pew.

MATERIALS FOR ONE BOW

4 1/2 yds (4.5m) of
2 5/8-inch wide (6.5cm) brocade merrow-edge wire ribbon in ivory
4 1/2 yds (4.5m) of
1 1/2-inch-wide (4cm) wire-edge sheer ribbon in ivory
1 yd (1m) of 2 5/8-inch wide (6.5cm) wire-edge sheer ribbon in ivory.
2 to 3 branches of ivy
Tacky glue or hot glue

DIRECTIONS

Cut three 1 1/2-yard (1.5m) lengths from the 2 5/8-inch (6.5cm) ivory brocade ribbon. With right sides out, make a 6-inch (15cm) loop at one end of each. Wire all three lengths together and notch ends.
Following the instructions below, make a twelve-loop bow with 16-inch (40.5cm) tails from the 1 1/2-inch (4cm) ivory sheer ribbon. Wire this bow to the loops from step 1.
Following the instructions below, make a fancy pulled rose from the 2 5/8-inch (6.5cm) ivory sheer ribbon. Glue the rose to the center of the ribbon bow.

Glue the ivy to the pew bow.

GENERAL BOW TECHNIQUES

To fasten a bow with wire, fold an 18-inch (50cm) length of wire in half. Place the folded wire underneath the chosen ribbon and wrap the wire around the center, inserting the wire ends through the loop to tighten. Pull the wire ends to secure, bringing one end around center again at back. To tighten, twist the bow — not the wire — a few times.

TWO-LOOP BOW AND VARIATIONS

Cut a length of ribbon as specified in the project instructions. Wrap the ribbon back and forth, forming two loops with tails. Glue a small strip of ribbon around the ribbon loops to hold it in place. Ease the ribbon tail to the back of the bow.
For four-, six-, eight-, ten-, and twelve-loop bows, simply increase the number of loops before securing the center strip.
Note: When using ombre~ ribbon, results will differ depending on which side of the ribbon you work. Experiment with this for interesting color variations.

PULLED OR GATHERED ROSE

Cut ribbon to desired length. Knot one end, and pull knot firmly toward end to secure. From opposite side, gently pull one wire, slowly gathering ribbon along that edge. Continue gathering until entire side is completely ruffled and curling naturally. Wrap gathered ribbon around knotted end, forming a bud. Continue wrapping lightly so ribbon flares out and acquires an open rose effect. Tie wires together and trim. Adjust shape by fluffing or crumpling.

 ADD TULLE TO THE BACK OF THE BOW

First you need to determine how long you want the tails so you can figure out how much tulle you will need.  Play around with the tulle to make sure you end up with a tulle puff bow that is slightly larger than the ribbon bow and the tails are slightly longer than the ribbon tails.  Start in the center of the tulle, pull up loops and hold like a bouquet until you have reached the desired size, at least 10 loops can be secured with wire like a bouquet leaving the two long tails hanging free.  Once you have the loops secured, pull them out to each side to make a circle.  Do not flatten, it should resemble a flower with out a center, the ribbon bow can be attached to the center of the tulle circle by feeding the wire you used to fasten the ribbon together through the center of the flower.  Just play with it so that it lies right with the ribbon.  It can be as large and full as you desire.

 HINT

Allow plenty of time to play with the tulle because it can be difficult to arrange and it slips and slides but once you have it secure, it will stay.  Hang the bows from a hanger, don’t lay them flat or it will be hard to fluff them back.