Paper Bows

From envelopes and garlands to notebooks, Lisa Manuels of the shop Elle Aime can dream up a thousand and one things to do with the paper from the Flow Book for Paper Lovers. In this tutorial, Lisa shows us how to make a paper bow; simply print the template out and use it to make an infinite number of bows.

“I always love making these,” says Lisa. “You can have lots of fun with them: put them on gifts, decorate envelopes, make a nice garland from them, or stick them onto cocktail sticks and pop those into cupcakes. I have the bows hanging on the wall in my workplace, between all the cards and illustrations I have made or received.”

What you’ll need:
– Flow Book for Paper Lovers
– Scissors
– Pencil
– Double-sided sticky tape (or glue)
– Printout of the bow template

1. Cut the bow components out. There are three different sizes, and you can combine the different components together if you wish (such as a large bow with two small ribbons below).

2. Find your favorite papers in the book and tear them out. The book is full of double-sided sheets, which will make the bows extra special as you will have a nice color or pattern visible on the inside of the bow, too.

Strik DIY door Elle Aime foto 2

3. Use the pieces you have cut out as a stencil; place them on the paper you have chosen, and draw around them with the pencil. Be sure to draw around the ribbon part twice: once with the tail on the left, and once with it on the right.

Strik DIY door Elle Aime foto 3

4. Now to make the bow itself. Take one of the outer points and bring it to the center. If you fold it flat, you have a two-dimensional bow, but if you leave it arched, you’ll have a three-dimensional one. Stick the points in the middle of the bow with a piece of double-sided tape (or glue). Fasten the ribbons underneath, and use the circle to make the ‘’knot’ of the bow. You can also use a bead, button or even a small pompom instead.

5. Dah-dah! Your bow is ready. Enjoy!