DIY Personalized Ribbon Bows for Bachelorette Bags

When I started planning welcome bags for my friend’s bachelorette cruise, I knew I wanted something more than just pretty packaging, I wanted each bag to feel personal, elegant, and beautiful.

That’s when I came up with these DIY personalized ribbon bows. Using my Cricut, I cut each guest’s name in vinyl and ironed it onto wide satin ribbon. One side of the ribbon featured their name, and the other side displayed their title—Bridesmaid, Maid of Honor, Bride, or Sister. To make the bride’s bow stand out, I used white vinyl for her ribbon, while the rest of the bridal party had black vinyl for a chic, high-contrast look. After ironing the designs onto the ribbon, I tied each bow onto a stylish straw tote bag. It was such a simple project, but the final touch made the bags feel polished, personal, and extra special, exactly the look I was going for.

DIY Personalized Ribbon Bows for Bachelorette Bags

Why Personalized Ribbon Is the Perfect Finishing Touch

When it comes to gifting, especially for events like weddings, showers, and holidays, it’s the little details that make the biggest impact. Personalized ribbon is:

Thoughtful – It shows you took the time to make something just for them.
Reusable – Guests can save the ribbon as a keepsake.
Versatile – Works for so many occasions beyond a bachelorette party.
Beautiful in photos – The kind of detail that makes group shots and flat lays shine.

For this project, I paired the ribbon with chic straw circle handle tote bags from Target (find them here) that were perfect for a beachy, cruise-ready bachelorette look.

Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s everything I used to make my bows:

Wide Satin Ribbon – I used this gorgeous 2-inch ribbon in a soft blue from Amazon (shop it here).
Cricut Cutting Machine – Any Cricut will work; I used my [Cricut Explore/Maker] with DTC Cottage Style font for an elegant yet playful feel.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) –
- White vinyl for the bride’s bow.
- Black vinyl for the bridesmaids, maid of honor, and sister bows.
Cricut EasyPress Mini or Iron – To transfer the vinyl onto the ribbon.
Scissors – For cutting ribbon and trimming edges neatly.
Bags or gift item to attach to – I used straw tote bags, but this works on baskets, boxes, or wrapped gifts.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Personalized Ribbon Bows

1. Measure and Cut Your Ribbon
Cut each ribbon strip to about 30 inches so there’s enough length for a full bow.

2. Create Your Designs in Cricut Design Space

Type each name using the DTC Cottage Style font.
In a separate text box, type the title (Bridesmaid, Bride, etc.).
Size them to fit your ribbon width—about 1.25 inches tall for 2-inch ribbon.

3. Assign Vinyl Colors

For the bride’s name and title, select white HTV.
For all others, select black HTV for bold contrast.

4. Mirror Your Designs
Since you’re using HTV, make sure to mirror before cutting.

5. Cut and Weed the Vinyl
Place HTV shiny side down on the mat, cut the designs, and weed away excess vinyl until you have only the names and titles.

6. Transfer the Vinyl to the Ribbon

Position the name on one side of the ribbon, and the title on the opposite side.
Use your EasyPress Mini (medium heat) or iron with a protective sheet, pressing for about 20 seconds.
Gently peel the carrier sheet away to reveal your design.

7. Tie Your Bows
Secure each ribbon to your bag or gift, tying into a neat bow. Adjust the loops and tails until the bow looks balanced and full.

Tips for Perfect Results

Choose high-quality ribbon – Thick satin holds shape and resists fraying.
Color match to your theme – The soft blue I used complemented our beachy setting, but you can switch to blush, champagne, or deep jewel tones for other weddings.
Vinyl color matters – Using white for the bride’s bow makes it pop instantly.
Neat tails make a difference – Trim diagonally or in a “V” for a polished look.

Why This DIY Is Perfect for a Bachelorette Party

This project checks every box for a bachelorette gift:

Customizable – Change ribbon color, vinyl color, and font to match your wedding aesthetic.
Affordable – One roll of ribbon and a few vinyl sheets make multiple bows.
Instagram-worthy – Guests love photographing thoughtful details.
Memorable keepsake – Everyone can take the ribbon home as a reminder of the trip.

You can even layer on more personalization, add charms, tiny faux flowers, or even beads at the knot for extra flair.

Other Ways to Use Personalized Ribbon

Once you’ve made personalized ribbon bows for a bachelorette, you’ll start seeing opportunities to use them for every celebration. Here are some ideas:

1. Christmas Gifts

Replace store-bought bows with a ribbon featuring the recipient’s name on one side and Merry Christmas on the other.

2. Place Settings

Tie ribbon around silverware bundles for a wedding reception, holiday dinner, or shower. Guests can take them home as favors.

3. Easter Baskets

Use pastel ribbon with Happy Easter on one side and the recipient’s name on the other for a festive touch.

4. Boo Baskets

Wrap Halloween treats with ribbon printed with Boo! or Happy Haunting on one side and a name on the other.

5. Wedding & Shower Gifts

Personalized ribbon makes wrapped boxes look boutique-level and perfect for the gift table.

6. Baby Showers

Use ribbon in soft pink, blue, or neutral with It’s a Boy/Girl and the baby’s name (if known).

7. Hostess Gifts

Tie a ribbon around a wine bottle or homemade bread loaf with Thank You and the hostess’s name.

Where to Find the Best Supplies

Here’s exactly what I used so you can recreate the look:

Ribbon: ATRBB 2-inch Satin Ribbon – Amazon
Bags: Straw Circle Handle Tote – Target
Font: DTC Cottage Style (Cricut Design Space)
Vinyl: White HTV (bride’s bow) & Black HTV (bridal party bows)

Final Thoughts

This DIY personalized ribbon bow project is a perfect example of how small details can create a big impact. It’s quick, customizable, and looks like something straight out of a boutique gift shop. Whether you’re making them for bachelorette bags, wrapping a holiday gift, or dressing up a place setting, personalized ribbon adds that elegant, thoughtful touch that guests will notice and remember.

Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to make one for every event on your calendar.

More Thoughtful DIY Gift Ideas from Simply Ashley Elaine

If you loved making these personalized ribbon bows, you’ll enjoy these other heartfelt DIY gift ideas from my blog. They’re simple, elegant, and perfect for celebrating life’s little moments.

1. Homemade Vanilla Extract – A Gift That Gets Better with Time

Crafted with love and patience, my Homemade Vanilla Extract is an elegant yet easy gift. With just vanilla beans, vodka, and time, you’ll have a rich, aromatic extract that gets better the longer it sits. It’s perfect for bakers, coffee lovers, and anyone who appreciates a thoughtful, made-from-scratch touch.

2. Homemade Dog Treats – A Gift for Four-Legged Friends

For the dog lovers in your life, my Homemade Dog Treats are a healthy, tail-wagging surprise. They’re made with clean, simple ingredients and can be customized to suit any pup’s taste. Pair them in a cute jar or bag with a ribbon bow for an adorable presentation.

3. My Full DIY Gift Collection

If you’re looking for even more creative ideas, browse my full DIY Gift Collection. You’ll find a variety of handmade projects, from edible treats to pretty crafts, that pair beautifully with personalized ribbon bows.