How to Use Ribbon and Bows
During Christmas at Biltmore Estate, 500 ribbons and bows are used inside Biltmore House with an equivalent amount used in the ancillary areas. Biltmore's ribbons and bows come in velvet, metallic, satin, burlap, and printed cotton. Ribbons and bows add that extra touch of festive décor to any home. Try some of the tips below to deck your halls.
How to make a wreath of ribbons and bows
Materials:
- 14" straw or Styrofoam wreath form
- 12 yards each, of 4 different but coordinating ribbons of size #9, about 1 and 1/2 inches wide. To add variety, select ribbons varying in size.
- Chenille stem to make the hanger
- 50 to 75 fern pins (resemble a long staple or hairpin)
- Additional decorations such as buttons, ornaments, dried flowers, etc.
- Wrap the entire wreath form with one length of ribbon. Attach one end of the ribbon to the back of the form with 2 of the fern pins pushed at a slight angle through the ribbon into the form. Then tightly spiral (overlapping slightly) wrap the form to cover, attaching the end with 2 more fern pins.
- Twist the chenille stem around the wreath form to create a hanger.
- Make a bow of each type of ribbon with 5 to 7 loops. The bows should be about the same size, and the "nose" or center loop should be about the same size as the other loops, not smaller as in a basic bow. If the chenille stem is used, trim off the excess length before placing the bow on the wreath.
- Attach the bows to the form by pushing a fern pin through the bow at the center point, just unde the "nose" or center loop.
- Continue to make and attach bows to the form until all but the back surface is covered.
- Add any additional decorations desired with a hot glue gun.