big bows

Not this kind of big.
More floppy ’80s big.
In Jr. High school, my sisters and I were obsessed with with making fabric hair bows for ourselves and our friends. If I was at my mom’s house right now, I’d scrounge up the photos for you. But I’m sure you have similar shots of ratted bangs, a pony tail, and a huge bow (topped off with a perm).

I love that big bows have had a comeback the past couple of years. They’re perfect for a headband, bag, purse, shirt, whatever totally rad things you like.
I miss the 80s.
If you need added flair for your next project, here’s how to make a very simple big bow without exposed seams!

Cut two rectangles of fabric.
Use any dimensions you like.
I used 20.5 x 7.5 inches and 5.5 inches x 4 inches.
Start with the large rectangle. Fold it in half lengthwise and sew down the side. Turn it right side out, smooth it out, and iron it flat so that the seam is in the middle back of the rectangle.
Fold under one of the ends of the bow and iron (there’s an even simpler method below if you want the fast and quick). Stuff the raw end of the bow into the folded end and sew them both together, so you have a tube.
It looks like this on the back (the front does not have a seam)
Now let’s make the middle of the bow. Bring the two long ends of the rectangle together.
Sew down the side and iron the seam to the middle back, like we did with the other rectangle above.

Then here’s the fast and quick method for finishing it off (you can use this for the bow above but it leaves a stiffer seam in the back of the bow). Just bring the two ends together and sew or serge them, so the edges don’t fray over time.
Now grab your bow “tube”. Squish it in the middle.
Then stuff it into the small middle tube.
Pull and tug it through.
Make sure the serged seam is all the way in the back. Shape the bow as you like and you’re done!
Sew it onto your favorite bag or safety pin it to a shirt.
Like, totally.

  1. 1) Naomi

    I did this last night and it was so simple and looks great. Thanks. Your tutorials are so easy.

  2. 2) Suzanne

    I’ve got my two lucky green sparkle ties all ready for the race. Thank you for the great tutorial.

  3. 3) Lo

    Just made these. So super cute looks so professional and you can change the pattern minorly based on whether you like small or big bows. Awesome and so easy! thanks 🙂

  4. awesome, simple, unsderstood. Even to understand it with imagination..thanks..will try later 🙂

  5. 5) Debbie Oruma

    Just made one with Ankara fabric this evening. Was ready to go to church ãήϑ needed a unique touch, as I had earlier made my Ankara version of the Oil cloth pouch (tho my measurement differs from the one you used) I quickly remembered this bow ãήϑ with same material I made a bow(i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ less than 10 minutes),attached an elastic ãήϑ up my head it went. People i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ church liked it ãήϑ some already asked me to make for them. Thank U̶̲̥̅̊ so much

  6. 6) Nesha

    Thanks..your tutorials are so easy..

  7. 7) Nesha

    Thanks..your tutorials are so easy..

  8. 8) Katelyn Smith

    Can u do this in a video, I’m more of a watch and learner then a read and learner.

    Katelyn Smith

  9. 10) jood

    What would you use it for?

  10. 11) joodie

    THIS LOOKS REALLY STUPID AND DUMB AND NOBODY LIKES THE 80’S ANYMORE THIS IS STUPID

  11. 12) OlivE

    Your stupid joodie. Nobody likes someone who is negative. Dana takes a lot of time to make tutorials so she can share her interesting ideas. Nobody asked you for your opinion and you should just keep your nasty little comments to yourself. Would you ever want to be treated like that for an idea you just wanted to share and spent time to do it. You would not.

  12. 13) Radhika

    Hi Dana,

    I’m from India. Its really worth learning from ur website and YouTube.

  13. 14) Radhika

    Hi Dana,

    Please put a videos of how to take measurements and how to make pattern paper in detail in you tube to understand better.

    Regards

    Radhika

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