How To Create An Easy Holiday Swag Lantern Topper
15 Minutes
Easy
Lanterns are very popular in home décor, both inside and out, and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Wouldn't it be awesome to dress up your lanterns for the holidays using bows, floral sprays, berries and other decorative accents in a matter of minutes?
Here's how to make a lovely swag lantern topper using a Bowdabra bow maker for a versatile unique look that can also be used on a lantern, door, mantel, tabletop centerpiece and so many other places.
Next, fold a 36" piece of Bowdabra wire in half and insert in the Bowdabra. You'll have a loop at one end and two loose pieces at the opposite end.
Place on top of the white spray a stem of red berries into the Bowdabra, on each side, having one side longer, as before.
Separate the silver sprays individually, and place several into the Bowdabra on each side. Scrunch the materials down using the Bowdabra wand.
Center a 36" piece of ribbon in the Bowdabra to create 18" tails on each side. Dovetail the ends by folding the ribbon in half and cut at the fold on a 45 degree angle.
Add additional ribbon tails, one at a time, into the Bowdabra.
For a bow with a 8" loop on each side, you will need 32 inches of ribbon. Pinch the end of the ribbon together and place down in the Bowdabra. Pinch the other end together and place in the Bowdabra with the 8" loop above the tower with each end gathered and making a crease in the center of the ribbon. Scrunch down the ribbon with the wand and do the same for each additional ribbon, decreasing the length and size of the loops.
While the swag and bows are still in the Bowdabra, tie off the swag by threading the two loose ends of the bow wire through the loop at the other end. Pull the bow wire tightly before removing the entire bow swag from the Bowdabra. Bring the wire around to the back of the swag and tie in a knot to secure tightly.
Tie the bow swag onto the top of the lantern using the Bowdabra wire to secure. Fluff all of the bows and ribbon and adjust the foliage.
Additional embellishments can be attached with the bow wire or hot glue.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 5 comments
-
I learned something new by googling bowdabra. You have unleashed a new way for me to make bows and swags. I am going to buy one for sure. I like your beautiful swag topper, marvelous!
-
Gail, That is so gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?