How to Make Fabric Bows

How to Make Fabric Bows


An oversized handmade bow is one of the most charming and versatile holiday decorations you can create. Whether you want to add a special touch to your Christmas tree, decorate a wreath, style a staircase, embellish gifts, or brighten up a cozy corner of your home, this bow works beautifully in so many places.

I personally used mine as a tree topper, and it looked stunning — full, structured, and instantly festive — but you can easily adapt it for any décor idea you have in mind.

The best part? This bow is beginner-friendly, requires only three simple rectangles of fabric, and looks wonderfully luxurious once assembled.

 Supplies You’ll Need

  • Medium-weight woven fabric (gingham, cotton, linen, velvet, etc.)
  • Wadding or batting for quilting (adds structure)
  • Matching thread
  • Scissors or rotary cutter
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron

Pattern Pieces

Here are the exact measurements I used:

Bow Loops

  • 58 cm (W) × 40 cm (H)
  • Cut 1 fabric + 1 wadding

Tails

  • 30 cm (W) × 84 cm (H)
  • Cut 1 fabric 

Center Knot

  • 12 cm (W) × 20 cm (H)
  • Cut 1 fabric

How to Sew the Bow

Create the Bow Loops

1.  Fold the rectangle right sides together along the long edge. 

2. Sew the long edge using a 1 cm seam allowance.

3. Turn the tube right-side out and press.

4. Cut a piece of quilt batting the same size as the new rectangle and slide it inside.

5. Fold it in half and sew along the short edge. Turn it over so the raw edges are on the inside.

How to Sew the Tails

  1. Take the rectangle for the tails of the bow.

  2. Fold it in half lengthways (long edges together), right sides facing.

  3. Then fold it in half again widthways (short edges together), still with right sides together.

  4. At the folded corner where all the raw edges meet, cut a smooth, curved shape. This creates the rounded ends of the tails when unfolded.

  5. Unfold the widthways fold (keep it folded lengthways).

  6. Sew all the way around the raw edges, following the curved shape you just cut, and leave a small gap in the middle. This will be your turning opening.

  7. Turn the piece right-side out through the gap.

  8. Press the tails neatly, ensuring the curved ends are smooth.

  9. Hand-stitch or machine-stitch the opening closed.


How to Sew the Center Knot

  1. Take the rectangle for the center piece – this will form the knot in the middle of the bow.

  2. Fold it in half lengthways, right sides together, so the long edges align.

  3. Sew along the long edge using a 1 cm seam allowance.

  4. Turn the tube right-side out so the seam is hidden on the inside.

  5. With the seam facing down, fold the piece in half widthways so the short ends meet.

  6. Sew the short ends together to create a loop.

  7. Turn the loop so the seam sits at the back.

Assemble the Bow

  1. Take the center knot loop you just created.
  2. Thread the bow loops and the tails through the center knot — start with the tails behind, then slide the bow loops through the front.
  3. You may need to wiggle and adjust the fabric a bit to get everything sitting neatly in place.
  4. Use your fingers to form soft pleats in the middle of the bow until it looks full and even.

And that's it — your bow is finished!

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