Learn how to create a beautiful origami bow with no cutting or glue required!
Perfect for decorating gifts, cards, or adding a personal touch to your diy crafts and paper crafts projects.
Jump to:
An origami bow is a wonderful way to add a touch of elegance and charm to your paper crafts.
Whether you’re using it to top off a gift, decorate a greeting card, or simply adding it to a homemade project, this simple and stylish bow will bring a delightful finishing touch.
The great thing about this homemade craft idea is that you don’t need any scissors or glue—just a square piece of paper and a bit of patience!
This DIY paper craft is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of occasions.
Picture it as a festive addition to your Christmas or birthday presents, or even attached to the front of a homemade card. You can also use different types of paper to match the season or event.
For example, try using patterned paper for a more intricate look, or solid-colored paper for something sleek and modern.
The beauty of origami is how adaptable it is, and this bow pattern is no exception!
This origami bow is also a perfect project for beginners.
It's an easy fold that offers an impressive result, so you don’t need to be an expert to make something that looks amazing.
With just a few folds, you’ll have a beautiful bow that looks like it took hours to create. Plus, it’s a great way to reuse scraps of paper, giving your craft an eco-friendly twist.
This project works well for those who love quick, stylish diy crafts.
Whether you’re working on gift wrapping, decorating your journal, or just looking for a creative break, this origami bow will provide a fun and satisfying craft session.
Best of all, it’s adaptable—you can experiment with different paper sizes and colors to suit your project perfectly.
Why You'll Love This Pattern
- Quick and easy to fold—no cutting or glue needed.
- Perfect for decorating gifts, cards, or journals.
- Great for beginners and suitable for kids.
- Adds a personal, handmade touch to any project.
- Adaptable to any occasion—holidays, birthdays, or just because!
- Don't be put off by the number of steps in these instructions! We have broken down the steps to make it easier for you to understand.
Skill Level
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ (Easy)
Materials Needed
- Square paper: Any size will work, but 6x6 inches (15cm x 15cm) is a good place to start.
- Type of paper: Try using origami paper, gift wrap, or even lightweight craft paper. Thicker papers may be harder to fold.
Instructions
Step 1: Start with the color you want your bow to be facing down.
Step 2: Fold the bottom edge to the top edge.
Step 3: Unfold previous step.
Step 4: Fold the bottom edge to meet the middle crease.
Step 5: Fold the top edge to meet the middle crease.
Step 6: Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 7: Fold the bottom edge to the middle crease, allowing the back edge to come to the front.
Step 8: Repeat previous step on the top edge.
Step 9: Flip your paper over from left to right.
Step 10: Rotate your paper 90 degrees.
Step 11: Bring the bottom edge to the top edge.
Step 12: Unfold previous step.
Step 13: Fold the bottom edge to meet the middle crease.
Step 14: Fold the top edge to meet the middle crease.
Step 15: Unfold previous 2 steps.
Step 16: Fold the bottom edge to meet its nearest crease.
Step 17: Fold the top edge to meet its nearest crease.
Step 18: Unfold previous 2 steps.
Step 19: Working on the top layer only (the middle strip), fold the bottom left corner to meet the middle of the crease above it.
Step 20: Repeat previous step for the bottom right corner.
Step 21: Unfold previous 2 steps.
Step 22: Gently open out the 2 folds you made in the previous 2 steps and squash fold them up (they should form triangles).
Step 23: Repeat steps 19 to 22 for the top.
Step 24: Rotate your paper 90 degrees.
Step 25: Fold the bottom edge to meet the bottom edge of the middle strip (at the bottom points of the little squares).
Step 26: Fold the paper in half, following the existing middle crease line.
Step 27: Fold the right side (top layer only) backwards on a diagonal, making sure the point of the diagonal is in the centre of the paper.
Step 28: Repeat previous step for the other left side (top layer only).
Step 29: Fold the left edge in to meet its nearest crease.
Step 30: Fold the right edge in to meet its nearest crease.
Step 31: Flip your paper over and arrange it to sit like the picture.
Step 32: Fold the paper in half from bottom to top, matching the edges of the diagonals.
Step 33: Unfold previous step.
Step 34: Repeat previous 2 steps, this time folding the paper from top to bottom.
✨ You're almost there! ✨
To unlock the final steps and complete your pattern, create a free account with Grow.me. below.
Make sure you tick the box to subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest patterns, tips, and more!
Once you're signed up, you'll get instant access to finish your project and enjoy exclusive content in the future.
Already signed up? Hit the button below and select ‘Switch to Log In’ to pick up where you left off and finish your project!
Step 35: Flip your paper over.
Step 36: Fold the edge of the crease you made in step 32 to meet the middle crease of the bow.
Step 37: Fold the edge of the crease you made in step 34 to meet the middle crease of the bow.
Step 38: Rotate your paper 90 degrees.
Step 39: Fold the top edge of the bow down to meet its nearest crease.
Step 40: Completed origami bow.
Tips For Success
- Use double-sided paper: It adds more depth and detail to your bow.
- Avoid thick paper: It can be hard to fold and may not hold the shape as well.
- Pre-fold carefully: Make sure your folds are crisp and aligned for the best results.
- Personalize your bow: Add a small embellishment in the center, like a bead or sequin, for an extra special touch.
Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
- Paper tearing: Don’t use overly thick paper as it may tear during the folding process.
- Uneven folds: Make sure to align your edges precisely to keep the bow looking neat.
- Loose folds: Press down firmly on each fold to create a clean, sharp finish that will hold its shape.
Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations
You can get creative with your origami bow by using different types of paper.
Solid-colored paper works well for a classic, sleek bow, while patterned paper adds a fun and festive touch. You could even use metallic or glittery paper for an extra-special look, perfect for birthdays or holidays.
If you want to customize your bow for specific occasions, consider using seasonal colors or themed papers—like red and green for Christmas, pastel shades for Easter, or bright hues for birthday celebrations.
For an eco-friendly option, try repurposing old magazines, wrapping paper, or scraps from other projects.
Larger bows can be made using bigger paper, perfect for topping off gifts or decorations, while smaller versions can be used to embellish cards or scrapbook pages.
FAQ
Yes! Larger pieces of paper will give you a bigger bow, perfect for decorating bigger gifts or projects.
And if you are making a larger bow, you might like to use thicker paper like scrapbooking paper or cardstock to make a sturdier bow.
Origami paper, gift wrap, and other lightweight papers work best.
Heavier cardstock may be harder to fold (unless you are making a bigger bow).
Absolutely!
Use different colors, patterns, or add a small embellishment in the center to give it a personal touch.
Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:
Helpful Origami Tips
If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.
Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.
Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.
The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.
Stay Connected
Made this pattern? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Pin this post - Pin now to take your paper crafting skills to the next level.
Share on Instagram or Facebook - Capture the beauty of your finished paper craft project and share it on Instagram or Facebook! Tag us @easyfoldablecreations so we can see your work!
Other Patterns You Might Like To Try:
Looking for other easy patterns like this? Try these:
Comments
No Comments