How to make a bow tie with paper

Question

Getting Started

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Learn how to make an easy origami bow tie or ribbon with these easy to follow step by step instructions. It's also easy to make different variations of this traditional origami bow.

Table of Contents Show

Getting Started
Fold and Cut the Paper
Starting Folds
Continue Folding
Almost Finished
Finishing Touches
Watch Now: How to Make an Origami Bow
Introduction: Paper Bow Tie
Step 1: Materials List
Step 2: Print, Cut Out Template
Step 3: Fold Into Bow Tie Shape
Step 4: Taping, Etc.
Step 5: Adjustable Strap
Step 6: Try It On!
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
How do you make a bow tie out of wrapping paper?

There are many different ways you could use this bow to decorate your crafts. The most popular way seems to be as a bow tie for an origami shirt. Other ways include hair clips, you can even lacquer them with clear nail polish, decorate origami boxes, add them to the hair of origami dolls, or use them as part of earrings or necklaces.

You will need 1 sheet of square paper that has been cut in half or you can also use money bills.

You can also make an origami bow that looks more three dimensional if you're more advanced in this craft.

Fold and Cut the Paper

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

If you are starting with square paper, you can fold the paper in half and then cut it along the crease, which means you can make 2 bows with the paper.

Starting Folds

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Fold the paper in half, top to bottom.
Fold all four corners inwards.
Fold the top and bottom edges to the central crease.
Fold the paper in half, left to right.

Continue Folding

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Fold the right section of the model up diagonally, the central crease behind should align with the crease you see on the left of the front layer.
Repeat in the other direction.
Collapse the paper in half, reversing the crease from step 4.
Make sure the open ends are at the bottom.

Almost Finished

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Fold the front layer up, using the folds underneath as a guide.
Repeat on the back.
This is what you should have. The open ends are at the bottom.
Fold the left and right corners inwards.

Finishing Touches

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Repeat on the back.
Gently but firmly pull the ends apart, at the same time push on the center of the bow.
Flatten out the section in the center of the bow.
This is what it's like on the back, you can fold the points of the bow in again if you like.

It's now complete. You can use this on other origami projects, scrapbooks, or use them as accents on gifts to your family and friends!

Watch Now: How to Make an Origami Bow

Introduction: Paper Bow Tie

I've made paper bow ties on several occasions, and always enjoyed doing so. They create not only the ability to look fancy in a pinch, but more so an interesting equilibrium between formality and casualness.

So whether you're brave enough to try to get away with wearing a paper bow tie to a formal event or just want to look particularly fancy around your friends, this project is for you.

Step 1: Materials List

Materials:

1 Sheet of Paper
1 Paperclip
Tape

Tools:

Printer
Scissors

Step 2: Print, Cut Out Template

I have designed a template for the bow tie and put it on a pdf. You should be able to download it and then print it. From there, simply cut the pieces out (there are 4) .

This is my first time creating a printable template, so if it doesn't work, please tell me in the comment section below, and I'll try to fix it. Also, feel free to make suggestions on how I can make templates better in the future.

Step 3: Fold Into Bow Tie Shape

After cutting out the template, take the largest of the four pieces you cut out, and fold it into the shape of a bow tie. This should take two folds.

Step 4: Taping, Etc.

Now that you have a basic bow tie shape, you'll want to tape around the center after bending it slightly in on itself. This may be easier if one person is keeping the paper slightly bent and another tapes it in place.

Once satisfied with the curve of the tie, use the smallest rectangle from the template to cover up the tape. Do this by taping it on the backside and folding it around the tie. Use another piece of tape to secure it (it should end up on the backside).

Step 5: Adjustable Strap

To add a strap to the rest of the tie, take one of the two long rectangles from the template and place it through the loop on the backside of the tie. Put a piece of tape on the end of the strap, with the sticky side facing up. The end of the strap without tape can then be pulled until the other end is under the loop. Then, take the tape on that end and secure it to the loop.

Then, attach the other long rectangle to the remaining end of the first with tape.

The strap can then be threaded through the loop.

Step 6: Try It On!

At this point in the project, the bow tie should be complete. The only thing left to do is try it on!

To do this, put it around your collar and put the strap through the loop on the back of the bow tie. A paperclip over the excess strap helps keep the strap from getting looser.

I hope you enjoyed this instructable! If you did, I'd really appreciate if you favorite it. Also, don't forget to share it with your friends so they can look as fancy as you. You're more than welcome to leave any questions, comments or suggestions in the section below. Thank you!

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