Learning how to make a bow for a sports wreath is easier than it may look. A well-shaped bow can bring the team colors together, add height and texture, and give your wreath a finished focal point.
You do not need a bow-making machine to create a full sports wreath bow. With wired ribbon, scissors, floral wire or a chenille stem, and a little practice, you can make one by hand.
This method works for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, college, school spirit, and other sports wreaths. Adjust the ribbon colors, patterns, loop size, and bow placement to fit your design.
Quick Answer: To make a bow for a sports wreath, start with wired ribbon and leave it attached to the spool. Make a tail, pinch the ribbon at the center, and form matching loops on alternating sides. Twist the ribbon after each loop so the printed side faces forward. Secure the center with floral wire or a chenille stem, add or trim the tails, fluff the loops, and attach the bow firmly to the wreath frame.
Table of Contents
Supplies You Need To Make A Sports Wreath Bow
Gather your supplies before you begin:
- Wired ribbon
- Sharp scissors
- Floral wire or chenille stems
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Wire cutters, if needed
- Your finished or partially finished wreath
- Optional accent ribbon in a second width or pattern
Wired ribbon is usually the easiest choice because its edges help the loops and tails hold their shape. You can use one ribbon for a simple bow or combine several colors and patterns for a fuller game-day design.
Step 1: Choose Your Sports Wreath Ribbon
Begin by choosing ribbon that matches the team, sport, sign, or color theme of the wreath.
A 2.5″ wired ribbon works well for the main loops of a large bow. A 1.5″ wired ribbon can be layered over it or used as a smaller accent.
Popular sports wreath ribbon choices include:
- Team colors
- Stripes
- Polka dots
- Plaids
- Solid colors
- Metallic accents
- Football, baseball, or other sports patterns
- School-color ribbon
Browse our selection of wreath ribbon to find wired styles in different colors, patterns, and widths.
Try not to combine too many busy patterns in one bow. If the wreath sign or deco mesh already has a strong pattern, balance it with one or two simpler ribbons.
For coordinated combinations, ribbon bundles can make it easier to select colors and patterns that work together.
If you are designing for a particular school or professional team, browse team wreath supplies for team-color ribbon, signs, accents, and design inspiration.
Step 2: Decide How Large To Make The Bow
Look at the wreath before deciding how large the bow should be. The bow should be noticeable without covering the sign, ornaments, or other important details.
For a medium sports wreath bow, try:
- Loops approximately 5″ to 6″ long
- Three to five loops on each side
- Tails approximately 10″ to 14″ long
Use smaller loops for a compact wreath or supporting accent. Use larger loops and longer tails when the bow will be the main feature.
Leave the ribbon attached to the spool while forming the loops. This helps prevent cutting the ribbon too short or wasting ribbon before you know how much the bow requires.
For additional planning help, read our guide explaining how much ribbon you need for a wreath.
Step 3: Make The First Loop
Pull enough ribbon from the spool to create the first tail. Pinch the ribbon at the point where you want the center of the bow to be.
Fold the ribbon away from the center to form the first loop. Bring it back to the center and pinch it firmly between your fingers.
Twist the ribbon once at the center so the decorative side faces forward. This twist is especially important when the ribbon has a printed design on only one side.
Use your ruler or measuring tape to check the loop size before continuing.
Step 4: Add Matching Loops
Create another loop on the opposite side of the center. Make it approximately the same size as the first loop.
Continue alternating from side to side:
- Form a loop.
- Bring the ribbon back to the center.
- Pinch it firmly.
- Twist the ribbon so the decorative side faces forward.
- Make a matching loop on the opposite side.
Three loops on each side create a simpler bow. Four or five loops on each side produce a fuller, more dramatic bow.
Check the loop sizes as you work. They do not have to be perfectly identical, but keeping them close in size will make the finished bow look balanced.
When combining ribbon widths, use the 2.5″ ribbon for the larger outside loops and the 1.5″ ribbon for smaller loops near the center.
Step 5: Secure The Center
Once you have created the desired number of loops, wrap floral wire or a chenille stem tightly around the pinched center.
Twist it several times behind the bow to keep the loops from moving. Leave the ends long enough to attach the finished bow to the wreath frame.
Do not depend on hot glue alone to hold the bow together. Wire or a chenille stem provides a stronger center and gives you a secure way to attach the bow to the wreath.
If you are layering several smaller bows or ribbon sections, stack them before securing the center.
Step 6: Add And Finish The Tails
Use the ribbon remaining at each end of the bow as tails, or cut separate ribbon pieces and secure them behind the loops.
The tails can be:
- The same length
- Cut at different lengths
- Curled around the wreath
- Extended across the mesh
- Layered in multiple colors
- Cut with angled or dovetailed ends
To create a dovetailed end, fold the ribbon end in half lengthwise and cut diagonally from the folded edge toward the open edge. Unfold the ribbon to reveal the V-shaped finish.
Make sure the tails are long enough to be visible but not so long that they cover the rest of the wreath.
Step 7: Fluff And Attach The Bow
Separate the loops and gently pull them in different directions. Shape the wired edges with your fingers until the bow looks full and balanced.
Do not flatten all the loops in the same direction. Moving some loops upward, outward, and slightly forward will give the bow more dimension.
Common bow placements include:
- At the top of the wreath
- At the bottom of the wreath
- On the lower left or right side
- Above or below the wreath sign
- At the center of a swag
- Near a group of sports ornaments or accents
Thread the floral wire or chenille stem through the wreath frame and twist it securely behind the wreath. Make sure the bow does not shift when the wreath is lifted.
Once the bow is attached, fluff the loops again and arrange the tails around the surrounding mesh, sign, or decorations.
How To Choose The Best Bow Placement
The best placement depends on the rest of the wreath.
If the wreath has a large center sign, place the bow above, below, or slightly to one side of it. Avoid positioning the bow where it covers important words, team details, or licensed artwork.
A large bow can serve as the main focal point on a simpler wreath. A smaller bow works better when the wreath already includes a bold sign, ornaments, picks, or several ribbon patterns.
Before attaching the bow permanently, hold it in several locations and step back to compare the overall balance.
Common Sports Wreath Bow Mistakes
Avoid these common problems when making your bow:
Using Ribbon That Does Not Hold Its Shape
Soft or unwired ribbon may droop after it is attached. Wired ribbon is generally easier to shape and fluff.
Making Uneven Loops
Measure the first loop and use it as a guide for the remaining loops. Small differences are fine, but large differences can make the bow appear unbalanced.
Combining Too Many Patterns
A bow does not need every team color and sports pattern at once. One bold pattern combined with coordinating solids or simple stripes is often enough.
Cutting The Ribbon Too Soon
Keep the ribbon attached to the spool until the loops are complete. You can cut the remaining ribbon after deciding how long you want the second tail.
Covering The Wreath Sign
Test the bow placement before securing it. Make sure customers or guests can still see and read the main sign.
Forgetting To Fluff The Bow
The loops may look flat immediately after the center is secured. Separate, curve, and reshape each loop after attaching the bow.
Make The Bow Match The Sports Wreath
A sports wreath bow should support the design rather than compete with it.
For a football wreath, consider team colors, football patterns, field-inspired ribbon, stripes, or metallic accents. Baseball wreaths may use red stitching patterns, stars, checks, or team colors. Basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, and college wreaths can follow the same approach.
Start with the main team colors, select one pattern that establishes the theme, and add simpler ribbon for balance.
You can also repeat colors from the bow elsewhere in the wreath. Small ribbon loops, tails, picks, mesh, or ornaments can help distribute the colors throughout the design.
Prefer A Ready-Made Bow?
Making your own bow gives you complete control over the size, colors, and patterns. However, a ready-made bow can save time when you are completing several wreaths, preparing for a craft show, or filling customer orders.
Browse our wreath bows for additional sports, seasonal, and decorative options.
Final Thoughts
Once you learn how to make a bow for a sports wreath, you can adjust the same basic method for different teams, seasons, wreath sizes, and decorating styles.
Choose wired ribbon, keep the loops balanced, secure the center firmly, and spend a few extra minutes fluffing the finished bow. Those simple steps can make the bow look fuller and help it complement the rest of your sports wreath.
How To Make A Bow For A Sports Wreath FAQs
What ribbon is best for a sports wreath bow?
Wired ribbon usually works best because it holds its shape in loops and tails. A 2.5″ wired ribbon is a good choice for large loops, while 1.5″ ribbon works well for smaller loops and layered accents.
How many loops should a sports wreath bow have?
A simple bow may have three loops on each side. A fuller bow may have four or five loops on each side. The right number depends on the wreath size and whether the bow is the main focal point.
Can I mix different ribbon widths in one bow?
Yes. Combining 2.5″ and 1.5″ wired ribbon can add depth and contrast. Use the wider ribbon for the larger base loops and the narrower ribbon for smaller accent loops.
How do I attach a bow to a wreath?
Wrap floral wire or a chenille stem around the center of the bow. Thread the wire through the wreath frame and twist it securely behind the wreath. Leave enough wire attached to prevent the bow from shifting.
Where should I place a bow on a sports wreath?
A bow can be placed at the top, bottom, or either side of a sports wreath. Choose a location that balances the design without covering the main sign, ornaments, or team details.
Do I need a bow maker to make a wreath bow?
No. A sports wreath bow can be made by hand using wired ribbon, scissors, floral wire or a chenille stem, and a ruler. A bow maker can help with consistency, but it is not required.