Make a simple paper gift bow by curving both ends of a wide paper strip into its center, securing them to form two loops, then covering the join with a narrow paper band. Add a separate strip with notched ends underneath for tails. This version uses curved paper pieces rather than a tied knot.
Choose paper that bends without cracking
Use medium-weight craft paper, scrapbook paper or sturdy gift wrap. Very heavy card can crease sharply instead of forming rounded loops, while thin tissue may collapse. Test a scrap by bending it into a loose curve. If the surface splits or flakes, choose a more flexible sheet before cutting the finished pieces.
Gather scissors, a ruler, a pencil and double-sided craft tape or a paper-compatible adhesive. Keep a scrap sheet beneath your work. Tape holds a join immediately; glue may need support while setting. Follow its directions and supervise children using scissors. You do not need a hot glue gun for this small paper version.
Cut three pieces for a practice bow
Try a loop strip 1½ inches wide by 8 inches long, a tail strip 1 inch wide by 5 inches long and a center band ½ inch wide by about 3 inches long. These are practice dimensions; trim the center band after test-fitting it.
Mark the midpoint of the long loop strip lightly on its reverse. Keep the edges reasonably straight so the two loops look balanced. If the paper has a pattern, check which direction it should face. The printed face should end up on the outside of the visible curves, rather than hidden inside them.
Curve both ends into the center
Lay the long strip with its decorative face downward. Bring one short end toward the marked midpoint without creasing the outer loop. Secure the end at the center with a small piece of tape or adhesive. Bring the opposite end inward in the same way, forming a second rounded loop beside the first.
Adjust the two loops before the adhesive becomes fixed. Their outer ends should extend approximately equally from the center. A small overlap at the join is fine because the center band will cover it. Avoid pushing the rounded ends flat: a sharp fold makes the bow look more like a folded rectangle.
Prepare the tails as a separate layer
Fold the shorter tail strip lightly in half just to locate its midpoint, then open it again. Cut a small V-shaped notch into each short end. Keep the notch shallow enough that the tips remain broad and strong. The strip should still be one continuous piece across its middle.
Place the loop piece over the tail strip and compare the proportions. Let the notched ends project beyond the loop base, or shorten them if they dominate the bow. Attach the middle of the tail strip to the underside of the loop piece, keeping the front-facing surfaces clean.
Wrap a band around the join
Position the narrow band over the center seam and curve it around the whole assembly. Keep the band flat and snug without squeezing the loops shut. Overlap its ends underneath, trim surplus paper and secure the overlap. Put the visible join on the back so the front shows an uninterrupted center band.
For another paper-bow construction, see Jillson & Roberts’ paper-bow tutorial. This guide’s simple two-loop version is a useful practice project before trying layered bows with many separate loops.
Fix uneven loops and lifting seams
If one loop is much larger, check whether its end reached the same midpoint as the other. Reposition it while the join is still adjustable. If the paper has become deeply creased, recutting the loop strip may give a cleaner result than repeatedly bending it backward. Keep the first attempt as a size reference.
If a join lifts, test whether the adhesive suits the paper’s coating. Glossy gift wrap can be harder to bond than uncoated craft paper. Use a small fresh piece of tape or follow the glue’s setting time. Adding a thick wet layer usually creates a mess without improving the fit.
If the band crushes the loops, replace it with a longer band and leave a little more room around the center. If the tails droop, use a slightly firmer paper for that layer. Change one piece at a time so you can keep the proportions you already like.
Attach and store without flattening
Fasten the bow to the gift with tape or adhesive beneath its center. Test attachment on an inconspicuous part of the wrapping if marks would matter. Handle the bow by its base and place it on the package after stacking or transporting the gift whenever practical. A rounded paper bow is easy to crush under another box.
Pair it with a handmade gift tag. Store spare bows in a shallow box with space above their loops, and keep unused paper flat using our gift-supply storage guide. Keep the bow dry and reshape gently before reuse.
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