Fabric Bow Tutorial

I started making bows for Penelope, once I discovered how expensive it is, to buy a new bow for every outfit.  I got a little carried away and even had the lofty idea that I would open up my own shop.  Well, that didn't work out.  It was taking too much time and I wanted to spend my time with Nellie.  I had a few requests to post a tutorial, so for those girls, today is your lucky day!

What you will need:

Glue Gun

3/8 Grosgrain Ribbon

Scissors

Fabric

Alligator Clip

Cutting Mat

Rotary Cutter

Fold Over Elastic

****If you do not have a rotary cuter and cutting mat, scissors will work just fine.****

Cut your fabric into two pieces.

  

Larger Piece 6" x 8"

Smaller Piece 1" x 5"

****If you want a smaller bow make your larger piece of fabric a 5" x 6 1/2" rectangle.****

Start by taking your 1"x 6" piece of fabric and place a thin strip of hot glue down the center of the entire piece of fabric.

Fold piece of fabric towards the center and press down until glue is dry.

Finish by folding the other side towards the middle.

^^^Set aside for later.^^^

Take your larger piece of fabric and place two small dots of hot glue on the center.  (The less glue, the better).

Fold fabric towards the center until both edges meet.

Hold down until the glue is dry.  

Turn piece of fabric and fold in half, so that a crease is made. 

Re-open fabric and place two small dots of hot glue on top of the crease.

Fold fabric towards the center, until both rough edges touch.  Hold down until glue is dry.

You should now have a nice rectangular piece of fabric to work with.

You are now going to start making an accordion like fan out of the fabric.  Make sure you start by folding the fabric towards to the side that has the rough edges.  

Fold forward and then back five times.

Again, make sure to end your fold on the rough side, so that your bow will have smooth edges.

Pinch the center together and you should start to see your bow. 

Place a small dot of hot glue on the center of your bow.

Pick up your small piece of fabric and place it on top of the hot glue.

Flip the bow over.

Use your scissors to cut off remaining fabric, so that you only have short ends to work with.

Place hot glue on both ends and fold over one another.

Make sure to squeeze tight while doing this or your bow will not be tight.

And there you have the perfect bow!

You can either hot glue your bow onto a piece of fold over elastic for a headband or you can put it on an alligator clip for the use of both a headband and or clip.

For an alligator clip take your ribbon and cut it into a 4 1/2" strip.

Take your alligator clip and place hot glue on the inside.  Place ribbon on top of hot glue.

Fold over and place hot glue on the top of the clip.

Place a couple dots of hot glue on the inside and press ribbon into crease.

Take remaining piece of ribbon and hot glue it to the back of the clip.

Flip bow upside down and place a small dot of hot glue on the center of the bow.

You can also put a strip of hot glue on the ribbon side of the alligator clip.  Press fabric and ribbon side of clip together.

And there you have it!

^^^For a 4 fold bow you can accordion the bow 7 times instead of 5 for a different look.^^^

^^^3 fold large bow.^^^

^^^5 1/2" x 6" smaller bow^^^

Before you know it, you will have a whole plethora of bows.  

I purchased Penelope's lace headband off of Etsy and clipped the bow to it.