You might be surprised to know that making crafts using duct tape is extremely fun and easy to do, and there are a lot of ways that you can get creative with this simple DIY staple. What’s more, there’s really nothing simpler than using duct tape to make a pretty gift bow
These duct tape bows are surprisingly pretty and you can get as creative as you want by experimenting with various patterns and colors. In this article, we’re going to show you how you can make your own duct tape gift bows. Read on for more information about how to make the perfect duct tape gift bow for your present!
How to Make a Duct Tape Gift Bow
We are going to take a look at two different methods of making a duct tape gift bow. Here they are, including what you need and the steps you need to take.
Method 1 – The Basic Bow
What you’ll need:
- Scissors
- A ruler
- Rolls of duct tape in the colors of your choice
- Superglue
Step 1: Choose Your Tape
You’ll want to choose two rolls of duct tape that catch your eye. Don’t be afraid to get colorful. It helps to match the colors of the tape to the colors of the wrapping paper you’re using, but if you’re using a more neutral wrapping paper, then colorful bows will provide a nice contrast.
Step 2: Cut the Centerpiece Out
Before you start making the actual bow, it helps to cut a small strip of duct tape out – around 2.5″ in width – for the centerpiece of your bow. This is going to make securing the bow much easier in the later steps. Keep this strip close by, within arm’s reach.
Step 3: Cut Your Main Strip
With your second roll of duct tape, cut out a strip of tape measuring about 18 inches. Neatly fold it in half, sticking the adhesive sides together. Be sure to leave a small strip of the adhesive exposed at the end.
Step 4: Stick The Ends Together
Now, you’ll want to take both of the ends of the tape and curl them upwards, forming a circle. Then, join the ends at the small adhesive strip you left exposed in the previous step. If you’ve done this correctly, the tape should form a circle, resembling a cuff.
Step 5: Pinch the Center
Now you’ll want to flatten the duct tape circle out and pinch the edges together in the center, forming a bow shape.
Step 6: Fasten the Bow
Take the small strip of tape that you cut out in the first step and wrap it around the center of your bow tightly, securing it.
Step 7: Attach the Bow
Now you can attach your bow to your gift! This kind of bow works great when stuck on the sides of gifts rather than on the top, and if you’d like to get real fancy, you can stick both this bow and the previous kind of bow to the same gift.
In fact, go crazy and add a whole bunch of bows to your gift!
Method 2 – The Folded Bow
What you’ll need:
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Rolls of duct tape in the colors of your choice
- Super glue
- A bobby pin (optional for hair accessory bow)
Step 1: Get Colorful Tape
Start by getting some colorful duct tape. You’ll be able to find this tape in all kinds of patterns and colors, and if you want your bow to stand out, be sure to pick out a few rolls of brightly colored, pretty tapes to create the bow with.
It helps to choose a color for the main section of the bow, and one more color for making the centerpiece section.
Step 2: Cut Out Strips
Next, you’re going to want to cut out two 6” tape strips using some scissors. These pieces are going to make a fairly big bow – if you would prefer one that’s smaller, instead cut out two pieces that are 3″.
Step 3: Join the Pieces
Now you’ll want to line the two strips of tape up and stick their adhesive sides together. It helps to do this carefully and slowly so that you can make sure that both pieces are aligned precisely.
Don’t worry – if you make an error here, you can always use the scissors to cut away any bits hanging from the sides. Try to ensure that there are no wrinkles when the pieces are stuck together so that the bow looks smooth and perfect when they’re finished.
You can decorate your strips with any other details at this point. Using markers and glitter pens works particularly well for this.
Step 4: Fold the Strip 3 Ways
Now you’ll want to fold your strip of tape in three ways, each time folding in the opposite direction. The process is the same you would use were you making a paper fan.
Step 5: Tape the Bow’s Center
Pinch the center of your now-folded strip of tape with your fingers, then wrap a small strip of your other tape around this pinched center to fasten it. Be sure that your fingers are well out of the way during this step, or things could get super sticky, super quickly.
Step 6: Attach the Bow!
After you have made your bow, you can stick it to anything you’d like. For the sake of this tutorial, get some super glue and glue your new bow to the gift that you are wrapping.
If you’d like to wear this bow as an accessory, you can insert a bobby pin into the centerpiece of the tape, then pin the bow to your hair. It makes a surprisingly beautiful hair accessory.
Wrapping Up
No gift is complete without a pretty bow, and if you’re struggling to find a bow that matches your gift wrapping paper, or you just enjoy making everything from scratch, then be sure to follow the tutorials above! We know that whoever you’re gifting these to will love them, especially if they are someone who appreciates the effort behind a DIY gift bow.
