A hand holding a decorative bow made from strips of printed text on paper. Several similar paper bows are blurred in the background on a light surface.

Simple Paper Bow Tutorial Using Vintage Book Pages

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Paper bows made from folded printed pages are arranged on a light surface. The bows have a decorative, handmade appearance with visible text patterns, creating a vintage or recycled aesthetic.

I absolutely love using book pages for décor crafts—they add so much neutral texture and rustic charm to any space. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed creating numerous book page crafts, including book page flowers, a beautiful book page flower wreath, an airy book page leaf garland, and charming book page Easter eggs. Today, I’m excited to share another simple yet elegant craft idea with you: a DIY book page bow tutorial. The best thing about these paper bows is that they’re incredibly versatile and cost-effective, making them perfect for all kinds of decor and gift wrapping.

Crafting your own paper bows using book pages is a great way to add a vintage touch to gifts or decor. Whether you’re wrapping presents, embellishing table settings, decorating for a wedding, or adding charm to a nursery, this paper bow tutorial will guide you through mastering the delightful art of bow making. Let’s dive in!

Book Page Bow Supplies

A pair of gold-handled scissors, a roll of transparent tape, and three strips of newspaper are arranged on a white surface. The strips vary in size and contain text.

You likely already have everything you need for this craft at home! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Book pages
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Step-By-Step Instructions to Create Your Book Page Bow

Follow these easy instructions to create your own stunning book page bows:

Step 1: Start by cutting your book pages into strips of paper. For this tutorial, I used 2-inch wide strips for creating the bow loops and tails, and smaller strips of paper (½-inch wide by 2-inch long) for the center cover.

A pair of hands flips through pages of an old book open on a table. Nearby are several decorative bows made from book pages. The person has light painted nails and wears a ring. The scene has a vintage and creative crafting feel.
Hands holding a pair of scissors cutting a page from a book titled SUPREME COURT Rule 33. The page describes court rules and procedures. Background shows other paper pieces with text.
A hand holding scissors is cutting a page from a book, surrounded by more torn pages on a white surface. The page has text referring to the Supreme Court and legal rules.
Two hands holding strips of paper with printed text. A few more torn strips and folded paper pieces are scattered on a light surface. The text is small and dense, resembling book or newspaper print.
A hand is shown cutting strips of printed paper with scissors. The paper has text on it and appears to be aged or vintage. The background is a light, neutral surface.
A hand with pale nail polish holds a strip of printed paper while cutting it with gold-handled scissors. Torn pages are scattered on a white surface in the background.
Hands using gold scissors to cut strips of paper printed with text on a white surface. More strips of the paper are visible in the background, resembling a ribbon or garland.
A hand holds a strip of vintage paper with text alongside more strips scattered on a light surface. Gold-handled scissors are nearby, and strips are visible above in a garland.

Step 2: Take two long strips of paper and tape their ends together to form a circle. This circular shape will become your bow loops.

Two hands, with light-colored nail polish, are holding a piece of paper being torn from a strip with printed text. In the background, several other pieces of similar paper are visible on a light surface.
Hands holding a strip of paper with printed text, possibly crafting. A roll of clear tape is nearby on a white surface. Strips of similar paper are scattered in the background, suggesting a DIY project.
Two hands are crafting with strips of newspaper, using white adhesive tape to piece them together. More newspaper strips are visible in the background on a light surface.
Two hands carefully craft a chain from old book pages. The fingers are folding and connecting strips, with more paper strips in the background on a light surface. The scene suggests a creative or decorative project.
Close-up of hands cutting strips of paper with printed text. The paper is laid out on a light-colored surface.
Hands are holding and folding strips of paper with printed text on them, creating a paper chain. Parts of the chain and more strips are visible in the background on a white surface.
Hands crafting a bow from strips of printed paper on a white surface. Several completed paper bows are visible in the background.
Two hands holding a strip of paper made from pages of a book. The paper is part of a book page garland, with other looped pieces visible in the background. The person has short, well-manicured nails painted white.
Hands holding a piece of paper with text, creating a paper chain. The background shows additional paper links, suggesting a crafting or DIY activity.
A person with painted nails carefully folds a strip of paper with printed text, possibly from a book or newspaper. The background shows more strips, suggesting an arts and crafts project.
Hands holding a strip of paper with text printed on it, possibly from a book. In the background, more paper strips are arranged, suggesting a crafting project. The persons nails are painted white.
A person holds a loop made from a strip of book pages, suggesting a crafting or DIY project. More loops made from similar strips are visible in the background on a light-colored surface.

Step 3: Now it’s time to create the tail of your bow. Take another strip of paper and cut both ends into an inverted V shape. This simple trick provides an extra decorative touch, giving the tails a polished finish. Be sure the length of your tail matches the length of your bow loops. If you’d like longer tails for larger bows, simply tape additional strips of paper together until you reach your desired length.

Hands holding a strip of printed paper with text. Behind them, similar strips are shaped into bows. The nails are painted white, and the background is a light surface.
Hand holding a strip of newspaper, shaping it into a circle. Nearby, paper bows made from similar newspaper strips are visible. A pair of gold scissors lies on the surface, indicating a craft activity.
A hand crafting a paper bow from printed text, with scissors and completed bows on a white surface in the background.
Hands using gold scissors to cut text from newspaper. Strips of paper and crafting materials are scattered on a light surface.
Two hands crafting with upcycled book pages and scissors. One hand holds a strip of book paper, while the other cuts a star shape using gold-handled scissors. Strips of book pages are scattered in the background on a light surface.

Step 4: Place the circular piece of book pages directly over the center of the tail strip. Position carefully so your bow is symmetrical and visually appealing.

Hands crafting a bow from strips of printed paper on a light surface. Other completed bows made from the same material are visible in the background.
Hands holding a decorative bow made from black-and-white newspaper print. Several similar bows are in the background on a light surface.

Step 5: Gently gather the two pieces at the middle of your bow, pinching them together. Secure firmly with tape to maintain the shape of your bow.

Hands holding a bow made from folded newspaper print pages. More handmade bows are scattered on the white surface in the background.
A hand holding a bow made of paper with printed text. Other similar paper bows are visible in the blurred background on a light surface.
Two hands holding a craft made of old book pages twisted into a bow shape. The left hand secures the bow while the right hand holds a small piece of paper. Background shows more paper bows.
Hands crafting with strips of printed paper, using tape to secure them. The background shows more paper strips and is softly blurred.
Two hands craft a decorative bow using paper printed with text. The focus is on the fingers folding and shaping the paper against a light background.
A hand holding a decorative bow made from book pages. The background shows more bows made of the same material on a light surface.

Step 6: Take the shortest strip of paper you cut earlier—the small ½-inch wide piece—and wrap it around the center of the bow, neatly hiding the tape. Tape securely at the back to finish.

Hands holding a bow made from newspaper strips, with more newspaper bows in the background. The nails are painted white. The focus is on crafting with recycled materials.
Hands are crafting a bow from strips of printed paper against a light background. The bow is being carefully shaped and folded. Numerous other bow-shaped paper strips are visible in the background.
Hands are crafting a bow using pages from a book. The paper is being shaped into loops, creating an ornate bow.
Hands holding and tying a decorative bow made from strips of newspaper on a light surface.
A hand holding a bow made from recycled newspaper strips. Additional similar bows are visible in the blurred background on a light surface.
A hand holding a paper bow made from pages with printed text. The background shows additional paper bows and a light surface.
A hand with painted nails holds a decorative bow made from recycled book pages. The bow has pointed ends and is set against a light background. Other similar bows are partially visible in the background.

Step 7: Your beautiful book page bow is complete! Style and enjoy your handiwork. I personally added these sweet paper bows to some boxwood bunnies for my Spring living room décor, and I plan to use them in a few other creative places throughout my home this season!

A decorative topiary shaped like a rabbit made of green leaves sits on a wooden table. It has a large bow made from newspaper tied around its neck. The background features a blurred, cozy room with a fireplace.
A decorative bunny-shaped topiary made of green leaves sits on a wooden table. It is adorned with a bow made from newspaper, set in a brightly lit room with blurred, neutral-toned furniture in the background.
Two green topiary bunnies with burlap bows sit atop a round wooden table. One bunny is on a stack of books, while the other stands directly on the table. A cozy living room with light-colored decor is in the background.

These charming paper bows are a wonderful alternative to traditional ribbon and can be customized to your liking. Whether crafting smaller bows from a magazine page or using larger bows as statement pieces, they’re sure to add unique flair to your décor.

Tips

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your paper bow project turns out beautifully every time:

  • Choose aged or slightly yellowed book pages for a lovely vintage effect.
  • Experiment with various widths and lengths of paper strips to make smaller bows or larger bows according to your specific needs.
  • For added sturdiness, consider using double-sided tape or hot glue, especially if attaching the bow to heavier objects or surfaces.
  • Recycle old books or magazines that would otherwise be thrown away—it’s an eco-friendly craft project!
  • If you’d like more color, try using wrapping paper or colorful magazine pages for vibrant results.
A hand holding a decorative bow made from newspaper. Several similar bows are blurred in the background, resting on a pale surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other paper types besides book pages?
Absolutely! Wrapping paper, magazine pages, scrapbook paper, or even sheet music make excellent alternatives and can create a variety of unique looks.

How can I make my paper bow sturdier?
For extra durability, use cardstock or thicker wrapping paper. You might also reinforce your bows with double-sided tape or a small amount of hot glue.

Are these bows reusable?
Yes! Store your bows in a dry, flat space away from moisture, and they can be reused multiple times.

Can I make different-sized bows using this technique?
Certainly! Adjust the width and length of the strips of paper you use. Wider, longer strips will create larger bows, while narrower, shorter strips produce dainty, smaller bows.

I hope this book page bow tutorial inspires you to explore the simple yet lovely art of bow making. With just a few book pages and a dash of creativity, you can craft beautiful décor pieces that truly stand out. Happy crafting!

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie

Learn other Book Page Crafts

Easy Book Page Flower Tutorial: Turn Old Books Into Flowers
How to Make a Book Page Leaf Garland: A Stunning DIY Project
Simple Folded Book Page Christmas Tree Tutorial 

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