axis of the drawstrings 13 to provide a desired attractive rosette or pom pon like form likewise the decorative arms 30 follow the skewed orientations of the retainer members and are arranged in a starburst like pattern at varying angles around the axis of the drawstrings 13 it will be appreciated that fig5 shows the completed bow with starburst like pattern in an inverted position relative to its normal position of use once the bow is formed the drawstrings 13 may be knotted adjacent the retainer member 19 exposed on the underside of the completed bow and the free ends of the drawstrings 13 may be cut off alternatively the drawstrings may be used for tying a parcel and may thus secure the completed bow in position around a parcel or the like to be decorated by the bow the bow forming ribbon may be provided to the users with an adhesive backed card having an aperture through which the free ends of the drawstrings 13 are threaded the adhesive coated surface may normally be covered by a release paper which is removed after forming the bow in order to assist in securing the completed bow to a parcel or the like as will be appreciated the bow forming ribbon assembly as illustrated may be packed flat for storage and transport the ribbon members may for example be folded about the narrow or neck portions 18 with the segments of the ribbon being folded one on another to provide.