Decorative bows can be an inexpensive yet effective way to add the finishing touch to all kinds of craft and sewing projects. Decorative bows can make gift packages for holidays, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions look extra special. Fabric or ribbon bows can also look cute or elegant on clothing, or in hair decorations. Decorative bows can adorn holiday wreaths or floral arrangements, or the pews or chairs for a wedding.
Features
How a decorative bow looks depends a lot on the type of ribbon or fabric it is made from. Polyester, satin, fabric and grosgrain ribbons are often used to make decorative bows for clothing and craft projects. These ribbons come in a huge variety of colors, styles and widths, and may contain thin wires in the edges to help the bow retain its shape. Decorative bows for packages are often made of slick ribbon designed especially for wrapping gifts, while curling ribbon can be used to make piles of ribbon ringlets that serve as a decorative bow.
Type
One of the most common types of decorative gift wrapping bows is the puffy bow, which has a globular cluster of ribbon loops. Variations on this type of bow include bows with a circle of loops all the same size, and the graduated loop bow, with loops of varying sizes. Layered bows combine two or more loop or puffy bows made different colors or styles of ribbon. Tailored bows use flat ribbon loops for a straight, elegant look. More elaborate decorative bows may look like ribbon roses or flowers.
Size
Decorative bows may be less than an inch wide, or more than a foot across. In general, hair ribbons use fairly small bows for decorations, although some headbands may use a single large bow. Clothing may use decorative bows as subtle accents, or as major features, such as a sash or shoulder strap. Gift boxes may use decorative bows that cover just a corner of the package, or the entire box top.
Significance
Some types of bows have symbolic meaning as well as a decorative function. Yellow ribbons and bows became a way of showing support for military troops during the American Civil War because of a popular song, and have retained this use throughout the years. Other bows may use a simple loop of ribbon as a way of showing support for a loved one with cancer, or as a symbol of surviving cancer. The pink bow symbolic of breast cancer is perhaps the best known, along with a red ribbon for AIDS.
Expert Insight
People who want to add decorative bows to their wrapped gifts, clothing or crafts can purchase ready-made bows, or use ribbon or fabric to make their own. There are many methods of making bows. Decorative bows may use connecting loops tied together, or they may be faux bows that are glued or stapled, with each loop made from a separate piece of ribbon. Some craft stores offer tools that are useful for making professional looking decorative bows.
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