How to make a reusable bow

Recently a friend of mine showed me how to make a decorative bow that can be reused time and time again. It looks easy to make and she kindly gave me one as a template so I thought I would share this nifty idea with you.

You will need two ribbons...one will form the bow and the other will wrap around the box or item you are wrapping. The ribbon I have for the bow is 1 1/2 inches wide and the satin wrap around ribbon is 1 inch wide. Both ribbons are 45 inches long. I did work that out in centimetres earlier but it is making my head ache trying to work it out now but I am sure everyone can convert the measurements. My old mature brain is still thinking in feet and inches :-)

Place the narrower ribbon under the wider one , fold in half and stitch the two ribbons together approx. 1/4 inch or so from where you have folded them.  

Now you need to stitch the wider ribbon together at intervals. Don't sew through the inner ribbon. I will give you the measurements on the template I have but I think you could experiment with your spacing if you are adventurous. 

Measuring from where you stitched the two ribbons together, on one side of the ribbon put a couple of stitches at the following intervals: 2 1/4", 6 1/2", 9 1/2", 15".

On the opposite side the spacing is: 2 1/2", 5 3/4", 11", 14 1/2".  

That's the stitching done...now for the fun part. Grab the inner ribbon and start pulling it in opposite directions....

...keep going...

...nearly there...

...and there...you have made yourself a very pretty bow!

Just place it on top of your parcel and wrap the inner ribbon around and secure with some double sided tape or whatever else you have which is easily removable. Make sure you tell the recipient of your gift not to cut the ribbon as it can be used again.

It could quite possibly do the rounds of your friends and eventually may come back to you. :-) What do you think...is that a good idea or not?