The easy, beginner-friendly method I teach in my studio! Watch Entire Tutorial
If you’ve ever looked at those big, fluffy, gorgeous bows on wreaths and wondered “How in the world do they make those?” — today is your lucky day! In this step-by-step tutorial, I’m walking you through exactly how I make a dimensional, multi-ribbon bow using the Bowdabra, and yes… even someone who has never made a bow before will be able to follow this and nail it on the first try.
For this project, I chose soft, whimsical holiday colors — cotton-candy pinks, pretty whites, dreamy pastels, and a touch of sparkle — because I’m creating a Nutcracker-themed wreath.
But once you learn the technique, you can use ANY ribbon combo your heart desires!
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prep Your Wire
I’m using 22-gauge floral wire, cut to about 28 inches long.
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Fold the wire in half so you have a loop on one end and two loose ends on the other.
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Slide the loop down through the center of the Bowdabra.
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Tuck the loose ends under the tool to keep them out of the way while you work.
This wire becomes your bow’s anchor and makes attaching it to a wreath a breeze later on.
Step 2: Create Your Tails
I began with my widest ribbon — a 2.5 inch wired ribbon.
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Measure out approximately 22 inches for your tails.
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Cut, then dovetail your ends by folding the ribbon and cutting from the outer edge to the fold.
Place the center of your tails right into the Bowdabra and press down. Instant perfection!
Step 3: Build Your First Layer of Loops
Using that same wide ribbon:
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Start with the pretty side facing down.
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Fold your ribbon back over to create your first loop, about 6 inches wide.
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Give your ribbon a little twist as you place it into the BowDabra to keep the “pretty side” facing up.
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Make a second loop to match.
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Add a twist again before creating the next set.
Consistency is key — I check each loop against the last to make sure they all measure the same.
Step 4: Add More Ribbon Layers
This is where it gets fun!
I stacked several ribbons in descending sizes to give my bow depth and dimension:
Layer 2: White 2.5" Ribbon
Loops at about 5 inches.
Layer 3: Patterned 2.5" Ribbon
My favorite pattern! Loops trimmed down to about 4 inches.
Layer 4: Pink 1.5" Ribbon
This ribbon is gorgeous on both sides, so no twisting needed!
I added six loops because it’s thinner — instant cotton-candy magic.
Layer 5: Silver 1.5" Ribbon
The perfect sparkle topper! Loops just a touch smaller than the pink.
Each layer gets pressed into the Bowdabra before moving on to the next.
Step 5: Tie Off Your Bow
This is where the Bowdabra works its magic.
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Holding your ribbons down with one hand, pull your floral wire up through the center with the other.
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Tighten until the bow feels secure.
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Wrap the wire around once or twice to lock it in.
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Separate the two wire ends — these become the attachment points for your wreath.
Step 6: Fluff, Fluff, Fluff!
The best part!
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Open and adjust each loop.
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Spread your colors out.
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Work your layers until the bow feels full, whimsical, and perfectly you.
This bow has the sweetest pastel “cotton candy” vibe — absolutely perfect for my Nutcracker wreath!
Final Thoughts
Creating a beautiful, dimensional bow doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the Bowdabra and a little guidance, anyone can create a stunning bow for wreaths, garlands, gifts, and home décor.
I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step tutorial, and I hope it inspires you to play with color palettes, ribbon widths, and textures. The possibilities are endless!
If you’d like to watch the full tutorial video, be sure to check it out on my YouTube channel — and don’t forget to subscribe for more creative inspiration!
My Favorite Products for you:Sparkles & Smiles,
Miss Debi