A device for forming bows from a ribbon which includes a base plate (22) and a pair of uprights (24, 26) mounted on the base plate. One of the uprights is resiliently biased toward the other upright for grippingly engaging portions of the ribbon inserted therebetween to hold bow loops formed from the ribbon in place while forming the bow. A tie wire (80) is placed between the uprights for securing the portions of the bow loops retained between the uprights before removing the assembled bow loops. The uprights have opposed narrow edges to effectively grip the ribbon positioned therebetween. In one embodiment of the invention, the uprights include spaced upright plates (28) to receive the tie wire and a forming arm (70) which moves the portion of the bow loops between the uprights toward the base plate (22).