How to make Jon's staple gun bow

Carol Duvall makes a great bow with ribbon, a stapler and these easy instructions. Since my friend Jon Smouse taught me how to make this bow many years ago I have always referred to it as "Jon's Staple Gun Bow" although the truth is that you do not need a real staple gun. A small, simple stapler will do the job.
The rather large bow that I demonstrated was made with a wide #40 ribbon which measures about three inches wide. Narrow ribbon can be used but in that case you would use shorter lengths of ribbon. The measurements given below are for the #40. Materials you will need are a stapler, 3-1/4 yards of #40 ribbon and flexible wire or chenille stem.