How to Make Wedding Pew Bows

Making wedding pew bows saves money on decoration at the ceremony and reception site. By practicing the basic bow making techniques, it becomes simple to make several different types of pew bows. Simple pew bows can be made with ribbons and a few flowers, or more elaborate pew bows can be made by adding in pearls, beading, or tulle.

What is Need to Make One Basic Pew Bow:

• 4 1/2-yards of 2 5/8-inch wide brocade merrow-edge wire ribbon in ivory
• 4 1/2-yards of 1 1/2-inch wide-edge sheer ribbon in ivory (more or less depending on how long you want the tails)
• Craft wire
• Wire cutter
• Scissors

How to Make a Wedding Pew Bow:
Step 1: Cut three 1 1/2-yard lengths from the 2 5/8-inch ivory brocade ribbon. On each ribbon, make a 6-inch loop. To make loop, hold all but 6 inches of ribbon in hand, with other hand bring 6-inch piece around back at an downward angle, twist forward to make arrow at top, place behind remaining ribbon, and line it up. After making all three, follow step 3 and wire all three ribbons together at loop end and notch tails with scissors.

Step 2: Use the 1 1/2-inch ivory sheer ribbon to make one twelve-loop bow with about a 16-inch tail. To make bow: Fold at 16-inches, continue to fold up and down until 12 even loops are form and tails meet up at end (these can be cut if needed to match length). While holding middle of loops, carefully arrange loops in a circle, 5 to each side of the tail. Follow step 3, wire together middle of bow and notch tails. Then, wire together loop ribbon to back.

Step 3: Fold an 18-inch 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, then one at a time and in different directions twist ends around ribbon. Finish tighting by twisting the bow, avoid twisting the wire it is not as affective.

Add fake flower and ivy center to complete basic pew bow:

• 1 yard of 2 5/8 inch wide wire-edge sheer ribbon in ivory
• 2 to 3 branches of ivy
• Strong-bond craft glue or hot glue

Step 4: Knot one end of the wire-edge ribbon, and pull knot firmly toward end to secure. On the opposite side, gently pull one wire, slowly gathering ribbon along that edge until entire side is completely ruffled and curling naturally. Wrap gathered ribbon around knotted end, forming a bud. Continue wrapping lightly until ribbon flares out and acquires an open rose effect. Then, tie the wires together and trim. Now adjust shape to liking, and glue the rose to the center of the ribbon bow.

Step 5: Glue the ivy to the basic pew bow. And that's it!

Add pearls, beading or tulle ribbon for a more elegant pew bow:
Fake and real pearls, beading or tulle ribbon, whichever works best for the wedding theme, can be added with glue or wire. Just remember if using tulle, substitute it with the sheer ribbon.

Attaching Pew Bows:
Use extra ribbon, or pipe cleaners to attach to pews or chairs. Unlike glue or tape, it will not harm the finish.

Make sure there is plenty of time to make the pew bows before the wedding. The first few times will be hard and frustrating, after that producing them will be quicker. To match the colors and theme of the wedding, mix up the materials used in making the pew bows. Substitute sheer ribbon with tulle ribbon, add in pearls (fake or real) or beading for a elegant look, or even change the color of the ribbons used in making the basic wedding pew bow. And remember after the ceremony, remove the pew bows and take them to the reception area to use on the back of the chairs for additional decoration and to save some more money.