DIY Wooden Dowel Bow Maker (Perfect Bows Every Time)

Do you struggle to make bows for gifts and decorations? Your frustration ends here. Create the perfect bow every time with this easy DIY bow maker!

Hands tying a red plaid bow on a DIY wooden dowel bow maker

Have you ever tried to make a bow for a gift, wreath, or basket, only to end up with a lopsided mess? Or maybe you’ve looked at the prices of store-bought bows and thought there must be an affordable solution. Well, look no further! With this simple DIY wooden dowel bow maker, you can create beautiful, professional-looking bows every time for a fraction of the cost.

What is a Wooden Dowel Bow Maker?
What Tools Do You Need?
What Wood Should You Use?
How to Make a DIY Wooden Dowel Bow Maker
How Do You Use a Wooden Dowel Bow Maker?
Get the Free Plan

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What is a Wooden Dowel Bow Maker?

A wooden dowel bow maker is a simple, versatile tool that allows you to create uniform bows in various sizes for projects like gift wrapping and home decor.

It typically consists of two to four wooden dowels inserted into a base, such as a block of wood. By adjusting the dowel’s spacing, you can create different-sized bows. Positioning the dowels closer produces a smaller bow, while spacing them farther apart makes a larger one.

Overhead view of a DIY wooden dowel bow maker on a table

You can use the maker in several ways; one is wrapping the ribbon around the dowels in a figure-eight pattern, creating the bow shape. Once the bow is formed, you can slide it off the dowels, securing the center with a wire or pipe cleaner.

What Tools Do You Need?

This bow maker is a fantastic project for beginners because it only requires two tools: a miter saw and a drill.

I used my miter saw to cut the board and dowels to length, but this would be an excellent project for a miter box and hand saw since it only requires a few straight cuts.

Then, I used my drill and a Forstner bit to create the holes for the dowels.

What Wood Should You Use?

I used a scrap piece of pine to make my bow maker, but just about any wood will work. You could even use plywood.

I also used a piece of dowel that I bought at my local home improvement store.

DIY Wooden Dowel Bow Maker

Printed Plan

Get the FREE plan here (includes detailed instructions, measurements, and bonus tips)

Supplies

Wood (per the printed plan)

Tools

Tape Measure
Kreg Multi-Mark
Miter Saw
Drill
½” Forstner Bit

Step 1. Make the Base

Cut one piece of wood to length for the base.

Related: Why Can’t I Make Accurate Cuts? (& How to Fix It!)

Use the diagram in the printed plan to mark the location for the center dowel holes.

Using a pencil to mark the location for the center dowel holes on a DIY bow maker

I used an awl to make a starting point for the drill bit.

Related: What is an Awl? (+ How to Use It)

Using an awl to make a starting point for a drill bit

Then, I used my drill and a Forstner bit to make a hole at each mark. I recommend attaching a piece of painter’s tape to your bit to act as a depth stop, which I did when I drilled the second set of holes.

Related: What is a Forstner Bit (& How to Use It)

Using a drill to make holes in a wood board for a DIY bow maker

I would have used my drill press, as it would’ve ensured the holes were perfectly square to the board’s face; however, I couldn’t access it while working on this project. If you’re using a handheld drill like I did, try to keep the drill as square to the wood’s face as possible.

Use the diagram in the printed plan to mark the remaining holes and an awl to make a starting point for the drill bit.

Marking a board for a DIY wooden dowel bow maker's remaining holes

Next, I drilled the holes. You’ll notice I added painter’s tape as a depth stop.

Drill bit wrapped with painter's tape as a depth stop making holes in a wood board

Step 2. Assemble The Bow Maker

Cut five pieces of dowel to length.

I noticed the dowels were a little loose when I test-fit them in the holes. This could be because the dowel is slightly smaller than holes, I didn’t keep the drill bit square to the board when I drilled the holes or a combination of both. Either way, there’s an easy fix. I wrapped one end of the dowel once or twice with scotch tape until it was snug when I pushed it into the hole.

How Do You Use a Wooden Dowel Bow Maker?

You can use your DIY bow maker in several ways; I’ll show you two common methods.

Single Loop Bow

Place the dowels closer in the base to produce a smaller bow, or space them farther apart to create a larger one.

Inserting a dowel in a DIY bow maker's wood base

Wrap the ribbon around the dowels, allowing extra for the bow’s tails, and cut to length.

For this tutorial, I positioned the dowels three holes away from the center on each side and cut my ribbon to approximately 36”, but you can make it shorter or longer depending on how long you want your tails.

Hand's wrapping red plaid ribbon around the dowels of a DIY bow maker

Place the right tail over the left.

Placing the ribbon's right tail over the left.

Pass the right tail under the left.

Passing the ribbon's right tail under the left

And behind the back loop.

Feeding the ribbon tail behind the back loop

Then, over the front and to the left.

Pulling the loop over the front and to the left

Pass it to the right.

Then, over and through to the left.

Feeding the ribbon over the tail and through the loop

Gently pull each tail.

Until it’s snug.

Hands pulling the tails snug on a DIY wooden dowel bow maker

Then, you can remove the bow, adjust the loops, and use it for your gift, basket, or wreath.

Finished bow resting against a DIY bow maker

Multi-Loop Bows

You can also use the maker to create multi-loop bows, and I have detailed instructions for doing so in the printed plan.

Hands cinching a multi-loop bow on a DIY wooden dowel bow maker

Final Thoughts

This DIY wooden dowel bow maker is a simple, versatile tool that allows you to create uniform bows in various sizes for projects like gift wrapping and home decor. It’s an inexpensive, easy-to-use alternative to store-bought bows, producing consistently shaped bows every time. With just a few tools and materials, you can make your own and take your gift wrapping and decorating to the next level.

Don’t wait. Get your free plan (including the detailed instructions and measurements) now!

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