Question
QUESTION: I make saddles for headstones for my family. I would like to be able to put a bow in them sometimes but I don't know the best way to do it. Could you please give me some instructions on how to do this the easiest way possible? Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Kathy,
Thank you for your question. I am not sure what you use for your foam base. I am going to assume that you use some sort of Styrofoam. In that case, you can make your bow and add a thick wire to the center of your bow to tie it off. When you add your wire you should twist it on the bow at the center point of your wire. You will have two straight pieces of wire then to pull straight down and twist together all the way to the end. By using a thicker wire that you can still twist, this gives you a strong enough piece of wire to insert into the foam. If your twisted wire isn't long enough, you can attach your wire to a wood pick to extend your bow from the foam center.
Another thing to think about is the type of ribbon you are going to use. You should probably plan on the ribbon as being a throw away item, but a wired ribbon would possibly hold up better in the weather conditions in your area than an acetate satin ribbon.
It is nice to hear that you take the time to decorate for your family's headstones. You are sweet to do that. Take care, Carin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again! What is the easiest way to make the bow? A local florsit told me once that you don't really make a full bow that you do it in pieces but she didn't show me what she was talking about. Any clue?
Thanks again,
Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy,
For as many florist friends as I know, I know the same amount of ways to make a bow. In other words, we all do it differently. It is pretty tricky to try to explain to make a bow through the computer. Basically, start with a piece of ribbon that the "nice" side is facing you and hanging down the length that you want your bow trailers to be. You will want to start making your loops. You will make your first one up and over and bring it back to where you have the first part of the ribbon tucked between your fingers. You will twist the looped ribbon piece a half twist and put it back between your fingers. You want to always make sure the "nice" side of the ribbon is facing out. You will keep making loops up and down and putting them in between your fingers until your bow is the size you would like. You will want to twist your ribbon each time before you put it into your fingers to keep that nice side out. Make sure you always cut your end trailers at an angle to finish off the ends of them really nicely. When you are finished with your bow, that is when you will insert your wire and tie off your bow. Good luck. I am not sure if I am explaining this well enough to you. You could go and ask your local florist if they would show you one time. If they are using pieces of ribbon, they are probably cutting their trailers first and then adding them to their bow afterwards. You can also make a bow with 2 ribbons. You make your bow the same way I explained to you, but with the two ribbons one right on top of the other. When you have your bow wired and finished, you can then separate your loops from each other and it will make your bow really full and poofy. You may need some practice, but you will be really proud of yourself when you can do it. Thank you again. Carin