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How to Make Fabric Bows | DIY Fabric Bow Tutorial

DIY fabric bows are so versatile. They’re cute and stylish, and you can put them on almost anything! Back in the days whenever I used to see a fabric bow I would always wonder how do they make those. And then when I found out how easy it is, I couldn’t stop making them!

They don’t require a lot of materials, they don’t require a lot of time, and they even don’t require a lot of skill. They’re the perfect pastime project for both beginners and experts in sewing. Not to mention how much they can improve a gift for someone.

So stick around and learn how to make fabric bows in just a few minutes!

Below you will find my step by step written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to Make Fabric Bows

Supplies and tools

To make a bow, you will need:

You can use any fabric you have laying around. You’ll get the best results if you use a colorful fabric.

If you want to stand out from the crowd at formal events, then  make your partner a stunning DIY bow tie from the same fabric!

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials!

How To Sew Fabric Bows

Watch the diy fabric bow video first and then follow the written directions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY HAIR BOW VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Measure and cut the fabric

You will need two pieces of fabric, one very small for the center piece and the other fairly large for the bow. You can make the bow any size you want – from small baby bow to a huge bow to put on your bag. For the regular bow, we will be using the following:

The larger one should be a rectangle in dimensions of 7 x 11 inches.

The small one should be about 1.5 x 3 inches big.

STEP 2: Sew the main body

Take the larger piece of fabric and fold it in half lengthwise, so that the long edges meet. Make sure to fold it right sides in.

Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, stitch the two long edges together. Reinforce the stitch with backstitching at the beginning and the end of the seam.

You will get a hollow fabric tube at this point.

STEP 3: Turn it right side out

If you are making the bow with the suggested size, just turn it right side out. You might use a pencil to push it more easily.

However, this part can be a bit troublesome if your bow is smaller, and a tube turner would definitely come handy. However, if you don’t have this tool, worry not. There’s a way to do this very easily with just a …safety pin.

Take a safety pin and attach it to one end of the tube. The short edge, where the opening is.

Now pull the pin through the tube until you’ve turned the whole thing inside-out. Press it flat with an iron.

STEP 4: Fold the fabric

Fold the fabric, so that the short edges meet. Make sure the seams are on the top and bottom, and not facing each other.

STEP 5: Sew

Sew the short edges using a quarter inch seam allowance.

STEP 6: Turn around

Turn the fabric tube around and make sure the seam you’ve just sewn is right in the middle of the bow body.

STEP 7: Make the bow body

Fold the center of the bow two or three times accordion style. Adjust it until you like it. Pinch it with your fingers.

STEP 8: Make the center piece

Fold both of the long ends towards the middle, right side out. You can press it flat with an iron or just pin it until you need it.

Wrap the center piece around the bow so that the short ends meet.

STEP 9: Assemble the bow

Hold the ends of the center piece tight and sew them at the back of the bow several times to secure them. Sew as tight to the bow piece as possible. To do that move your needle to its leftmost position, and while still holding the bow tight, position in under the needle. Sew.

That’s it – your cute new cloth bow is now ready!

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Did you enjoy our tutorial how to make a fabric bow? Let us know if you have some ideas on improving it down in the comment section. Enjoy putting cute fabric bows on anything you want!

Other cute hair accessories tutorials:

 

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 13 comments
Elvira - May 28, 2020

very cute bow! Thank you for sharing the tutorial.

Reply
    Helen - May 29, 2020

    thank you, Elvira! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting

    Reply
Lucy Bertoldi - May 29, 2020

This was such a fun tutorial! I love diy’s- so this is perfect for me- Thanks!!

Reply
    Helen - May 29, 2020

    Awesome! I’m sure they’ll turn out great

    Reply
Allie Vane - May 29, 2020

These are so cute! Bows just rock. Thanks for such an easy to follow tutorial.

Reply
    Helen - May 31, 2020

    Yes, they are really cute. I love fabric bows! I would pin them on everything if I could

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - June 2, 2020

These are adorable. I really love the cactus print! Thanks for linking up with me.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - June 4, 2020

    It’s adorable, isn’t it. It really caught my eye!

    Reply
frugal hausfrau - June 3, 2020

I could have used this when I made 2 flower girl dresses for my wedding back in the early 90s, lol!! They’re darling and Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday this week!

Mollie

Reply
    Helen - June 4, 2020

    They make adorable pins for shirts and everyday dresses, too! Thanks for dropping by

    Reply
Linda S - October 15, 2020

So adorable! A great tutorial 🙂
I have made so many bows for my girls when they were growing up – watching this brings back sweet memories!
Thanks for sharing this week at our Encouraging Hearts & Home blog hop!

Reply
Kelly - October 20, 2020

Such clear instructions. You definitely make it look simple. Thanks for sharing with us on the Homestead Blog Hop. I hope we see more next Wednesday.

Reply
Cathy - July 24, 2021

Bows are so cute! I will try making some with a plain metal hair clip attached with hot glue for a little girl’s hair. Thanks for the instructions!

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