How to Make a Paper Bow (Easy Origami Bow) + Video Tutorial

Learn how to fold origami bows using paper with simple and clear step-by-step instructions and a detailed video guide.

Hello, crafty people! We missed working on origami projects and wanted to kickstart this week with a gorgeous and fun bow. We’re pretty sure you’ll love it because we absolutely loved crafting these beautiful paper bows, so what are you waiting for, go ahead and learn how to make origami paper bows right away! 

If you ask about the uses of this paper bow, we can help with that. From practicing your origami skills to using them as gift-box decor, scrapbooking, and any other crafts projects, these origami bows are just perfect. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Valentine’s Day, these would go perfectly with almost any occasion.

Now, this origami project isn’t beginner friendly, it does require intermediate origami folding skills. But it surely is perfect for practicing your origami folding skills if you’re not handy with paper folding techniques. 

The time required to craft an origami bow would depend on your origami folding skills, from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. The better your origami folding skills, the less time will be required to craft one. The cost is less than a dollar. You can make one big bow using an A4 size sheet and you can make up to 4 small origami bows from a lightweight A4 sheet.

How to Make Origami Bows

Things You’ll Need 

Origami Bow Instructions 

Step 1: Prepare Paper and Work on Base Creases

Prepare a square piece of paper and make vertical and horizontal half-folds on the square paper. Unfold the vertical and horizontal folds.

Now, flip the paper to the other side and make diagonal half-folds along both sides of the paper. Unfold the paper again. Flip the paper to the other side and fold the paper along the diagonal half-creases and push the vertical and horizontal creases inwards.

Step 2: Working on the Center of the Bow Pattern

Flatten the current origami pattern and place it on a flat surface. Make a small (1/6 of the current square pattern) fold along the closed corner of the current pattern. Unfold the small fold, this will leave a crease on the closed corner.

Unfold the entire paper. Use the tips of your fingers to neatly crease up the center square.

Step 3: Working on the Center and Sides

Now, crease up the diagonal half-folds on 4 corners of the center square crease. Push the center creases of the square inwards.

Flatten the current origami pattern. If this seems a little too tricky, you can check out the video tutorial. Fold the 2 diagonal sides (adjacent to the square center) by 0.5 cm.

Step 4: Forming the Center of the Bow

Turn the pattern to the other side and similarly, fold the opposite diagonal sides. Hold the center (the center square crease part) and carefully unfold the pattern.

Make sure the center square crease stays intact while you unfold and flatten the rest of the pattern. Check the video tutorial in case of confusion.

Step 5: Cutting Slits Along the Sides

Flatten the center-0square part. Turn the pattern to the other side.

Cut slits along the sides of the top layers (see picture of this step). The slits should form 2 flaps on opposite sides. Flip any one of the flaps to the opposite side (on top of the other flap).

Step 6: Working on the Bow Parts

Notice the bottom layer. Fold the outer diagonal sides along the middle crease of that layer.

Now, flip both flaps to the opposite side. Similarly, fold the outer diagonal sides of the bottom layer of the other side.

Step 7: Preparing the Bow Tails

Bring both flaps to their own positions again. Make sure that all the folds are neatly done. Now bring both flaps together on either side, making sure that they are leveled nicely. 

Fold both sides of the flaps inwards and aligned with the middle crease of the flaps. Use scissors to cut a slit along the middle crease of the flaps.

Step 8: Completing the Origami Bow Pattern

Fold in the slit-sides slightly diagonally and make a small gap between the slit. The bow tails are ready. Turn the origami bow pattern to the other side.

Hold the right corner of the current pattern and tuck it inside the center square, on the side. Similarly, draw and tuck in the left corner of the pattern. You can keep the bow pattern puffed or you can flatten it, however you wish. And our origami bow is ready!

Video Tutorial: How to Make Origami Bow out of Paper

This origami project is a bit tricky, but no worries at all! We have you covered, check out the origami bow video tutorial on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and turn on the notification bell for more fun craft projects!

Tips for Beginners on How to Make Origami Bow

If you are a beginner to origami, you may have difficulty making this craft as it is an intermediate-level origami project. However, I do have some tips so you can avoid common mistakes.

• Use a piece of square paper for the origami bow pattern.
• It’s always important to work on the base folds/ creases as neatly as possible.
• Use light or medium-light craft paper if you want to craft smaller origami bows.
• Be careful when cutting the sides, make sure not to cut the sides all the way through; otherwise, you won’t be able to craft the origami bow.

Meanwhile, you’re visiting our blog, here are some of our origami craft tutorials that you may also like

• How to Make Origami Dove/Pigeon Birds
• How to Make Origami Butterfly
• How to Make Origami Lotus
• How to Make   Easy Origami Leaves
• How to Make Origami Bat

An Origami project is one of the crafts that require fewer supplies, a little effort, and some time.  You can easily make these cute origami crafts with just one piece of paper and the result will surely amaze you, including the origami bow. This craft is just perfect for all ages and any occasion. Do give it a try!

We will be very happy if you try this craft and share it with us on social media. If you re-create our craft, please tag us on Facebook or Instagram (use #thecraftaholicwitch).

Happy Crafting!