How to Tie Bows

Wondering how to tie a bow like they did in the Renaissance? Well, I fooled with it for hours to figure out just how to do it -- and here is my research.

		1. First, put two holes along each edge and buttonhole stitch them so they don't fray. Then arrange the cord as follows, with the upper length being way shorter than the lower.
		2. Make a simple tie with the two ends, like so (now the short length is on the bottom).
		3. Taking the upper length (which is now longer), just make a loop. Don't do anything else, just make a loop, like so.
		4. This is the tricky part. Hold the loop with one finger, and with your free hand, take the lower length of cord (the shorter, non-loop length), and circle it back behind the loop. Bring the aiglet up over the loop. Now push the aiglet of the short length down through the circle you just made.
		5. Now for something easy. Pull the short-end aiglet and the loop's ends just like tying your shoes. The knot should tighten.
		And now you look just like this fellow! Botticelli, "Purification of the Leper". Sistine Chapel, Vatican.

This page last updated: July 10, 2009

All text copyright Vangelista di Antonio Dellaluna, except where otherwise noted. All portraits are understood to be copyright- free and are presented as research aids only.