https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/put-a-bow-on-it • Posted by elaineinglasgow
Whether you've just started sewing or have a pile of scraps to use up, bows are one of my favourite, and super-easy makes to brighten up an outfit or hairstyle. There are a few ways of making bows, but I always do mine this way - you don't need a pattern and it is so simple.
Whether you've just started sewing or have a pile of scraps to use up, bows are one of my favourite, and super-easy makes to brighten up an outfit or hairstyle. There are a few ways of making bows, but I always do mine this way - you don't need a pattern and it is so simple.
Get a small piece of fabric or fabric scraps. How big a piece you need depends on how big you want your bow to be!
Cut out two rectangles of fabric just larger than you'd like your bow to be lengthwise.
Pin the right sides (the sides you want to show) of the fabric together, leaving a space of at least an inch. A little note here - if you want your bow to be a bit stiffer, you can also stitch on some interfacing at this point which will help it hold up. I like the way this fabric drapes here so I haven't done this.
Sew your rectangles together using a sewing machine, or hand-stitching if you don't have a machine. Make sure you remember to leave your space! If you want, you can then finish the edges by stitching round above your seam, using a zig-zag stitch on your machine, a serger or cutting off the rough edges with pinking shears.
Turn your rectangle right side out through the space you left. You can poke the edges out so that you have nice sharp corners. I used my scissors, but you can also try a pencil or knitting needle.
Turn in the rough edges at your space, and stitch up the space you left as neatly as you can. At this point, I made a slightly smaller rectangle too - it's up to you how many bits you want your bow to have. I like two, but I've made them with one rectangle, three, four... it also depends on how much fabric you have left!
To help go from rectangle to bow shape, fold your bow a couple of times at the centre and pin it down. Then run it through the machine or stitch it by hand to keep your pleats.
Make a smaller rectangle using the method above - as wide as you'd like the 'knot' in the centre of your bow to be. You can use a contrasting fabric, or something else like lace or trim to do this. Stitch your small rectangle into a loop.
Turn your loop right side out so that you can't see the seam.
Now, pull your bow rectangles through your loop until it's sitting in the middle of the bow. This might be a bit tricky depending how flexible your fabric is. It's a knack to getting the loop the right size so you can easily pass this through but it's not too loose.
Pull through a couple of quick hand stitches at the back of your bow to keep the loop in place.
And that's you done! Easy, right? Depending on what you want to use your bow for, you can add a brooch pin or hair clasp to the back, an elastic or ribbon to wear it as a headband, or sew it on to an item of clothing or accessory. I've even attached a little chain before for a bow necklace! For this one, I added a little hair clip so I could wear it on my head.