How to Make a Layered Moon Stitch Ribbon Bow
This layered bow is one of those styles that looks a little more complicated than it actually is. Once you have your pieces measured and cut, it comes together pretty quickly—and you can use this same basic method with moon stitch ribbon, lace, and plenty of other ribbon styles.
What You’ll Need
- Moonstitch ribbon — about 1⅛ yards
- Sharp scissors
- Ruler or cutting mat
- Lighter for heat sealing
- Hot glue gun + glue
- Hair clip — I like clips around 2.3–2.4 inches
- Optional: Needle and thread or woolly nylon thread
- Optional: Fabric tape
- Optional: Small zip tie
Cut Your Ribbon
You’ll need four pieces:
- Front/smaller loop: 10.5 inches
- Back/larger loop: 12 inches
- Tails: 13 inches
- Center wrap: 2.5 inches
Once everything is cut, carefully heat seal the raw edges with a lighter to help prevent fraying.
Today we are using this Gingerbread Ribbon.
1. Make the Front Loop
Start with your 10.5-inch piece. Fold the two ends toward the center, overlapping them slightly in the back.
I like to do this directly on my cutting mat so I can make sure the finished loop measures approximately 4.75 inches across. Make sure the overlap itself is centered on the back of the loop.
Secure the overlap with whichever method you prefer. You can use a tiny dab of hot glue, a small piece of fabric tape, or a needle and thread. Fabric tape is probably the easiest option, although it is a little more expensive.
2. Make the Back Loop
Repeat the exact same process with your 12-inch piece, this time creating a finished loop approximately 5.5 inches across.
You’ll now have your smaller front loop and larger back loop.
3. Stack and Pinch the Loops
Center the smaller loop directly on top of the larger loop.
Find the center of both pieces and pinch them together. I create the pinch by pressing the center inward while bringing the top and bottom edges down. If you look at the ribbon from the side, the folds will look a little like an M.
Wrap thread tightly around the center several times to hold your pinch in place.
You can also use a small zip tie here, but I personally prefer thread for this style. A zip tie works, but it can make the center of the bow a little clunkier.
4. Add the Tails
Take your 13-inch tail piece and fold it in half to find the center. Press the fold to create a small crease so you can easily find that center again.
I sometimes very carefully warm the crease with a lighter to make it more visible.
Create the same M-shaped pinch at the center of your tails.
Place the pinched loops on top and the pinched tails directly underneath them. Wrap thread tightly around the entire center so all three layers are secured together.
A little tip about thread: Regular thread works just fine, but I really like woolly nylon thread for bow making. It’s the fluffy/stretchy thread commonly used when serging stretch fabrics. It compresses nicely when pulled tightly and tends to grip onto itself, which makes securing a bow really easy.
5. Make the Center Wrap
Now grab your 2.5-inch center piece.
On one end, fold the ribbon slightly over itself so that, viewed from the side, the folds resemble a small Z. Secure the folds with a tiny dot of hot glue.
Repeat on the opposite end—but make your Z fold in the opposite direction.
This little detail makes a difference! Folding the two ends in opposite directions keeps the center wrap from lying completely flat and gives the front of your bow’s center that slightly puffed, dimensional look.
6. Wrap the Center of the Bow
Flip your bow over.
Glue one end of your center wrap to the middle of the back of the bow and let it set before continuing.
Bring the center piece around the front of your bow and back around to the underside. I personally like to run it underneath the tails before securing it, but that’s mostly personal preference.
Glue the remaining end over the first end on the back of the bow.
Hold everything firmly in place while the glue sets. You want that center wrap nice and secure before adding your clip.
7. Attach Your Clip
Once the center is secure, glue your clip onto the back of the bow.
I typically use Gorilla hot glue. Sometimes I’ll also add a small amount of Gorilla clear gel glue for extra hold. If I use both, I don’t mix the two glues together—I add small amounts separately.
The hot glue gives you that immediate hold while the other adhesive has time to fully cure.
8. Finish the Tails
Before cutting, hold your tails together and make sure they’re the same length.
Then choose whichever finish you like best. You can cut the ends:
- On a diagonal, or
- Into an inverted V/dovetail shape.
Once you’re happy with the shape, carefully heat seal those freshly cut edges to prevent fraying.
And that’s it! Your bow is finished.
Want to Make This Bow With Lace?
You absolutely can. The same basic measurements and construction method work beautifully with lace, like this holly lace!
The biggest change I make when working with lighter or more open materials is using thread instead of hot glue whenever possible. Hot glue can sometimes seep through lace or remain visible from the front.
Thread or a small amount of fabric tape works really well for securing your loops and building the center. You’ll still need adhesive for things like attaching your clip, but using less glue throughout the visible portions of the bow will generally give you a cleaner finished result.
Once you understand this basic construction, you can play around with different ribbons, lace styles, colors, and finishes to make the exact same bow look completely different.
Ready to Make Your Own?
Everything you need to make this bow starts with the right ribbon! You can make this exact style using Moonstitch Ribbon or switch things up with one of my embroidered bow laces.
→ Shop Moonstitch Ribbon
→ Shop Bow Lace
Pick your favorite, grab your scissors, and make something cute. 💕