How To Make Hair Bows - These Are SO Easy! - AppleGreen Cottage

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See how to make hair bows using this easy and quick tutorial with hair bow sewing video included. These diy hair bows are super simple to sew and might well become your girl's favorite hair accessories. Measurements to make 3 fabric bow sizes are included.

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If you liked my cute hair scrunchies (tutorial here) and these felt bows that can also be turned into cute diy hair accessories, you'll absolutely love these too - scroll down and find out more (several sizes included)!

This post may contain affiliate links. Thanks for your support. If you like making bows, you'll love these free projects, too:

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Back to hair bows: These diy hair bows are easy to make and are a perfect scrap busting project! While you might want to use your sewing machine if you'd like to make them as quickly as possible, these hair bows are a perfect hand-stitching project for kids, too.

How To Make Hair Bows

This way of making hair bows is one of my favorites and it's so versatile! In addition to hair bows, you can make it as present toppers to decorate presents, or even make happy birthday cards! And party invitations!

About birthday cards - make sure to save a few scraps and make a diy fabric birthday card to go with the theme.

They are so easy and cute you might make a lot more of them than you initially planned. Since my little girl doesn't like hair clips, she's recently decided she liked hair ties, but she'd keep them in her hair only if she liked them a lot. Perfect to use these easy bows with glitter elastic ties! You can also opt for hair clips with these bows.

I also added multiple sizing info below, so you have more options. Yey!

How To Make Fabric Bows Video

And a surprise: a real video tutorial, folks! This time, I've made a *real* video that's not just a slideshow of photos with instructions! Took me more than a day to figure out how to do that, but I just knew you'll love me for that! So it's here. - Sit back, relax and enjoy:

Now, the tutorial in writing, too. Let's start:

Supplies to Make Hair Bows

fabric scraps (I used fabric from the Rhapsody and Linea collections - a fan of both!)
matching thread and needle or sewing machine
heavy-duty thread, embroidery floss or yarn
safety pin for turning
scissors
elastic ties (or hair clips)

Diy Hair Bow Tutorial

Note - In the tutorial, the seam allowances are marked for your convenience, but any other seam allowance will work, too.

Step 1 - Cut Fabric

Cut two rectangles, 8" by 6" (20 x 15cm) for the main piece and 3" by 1 ¼" (7.5 x 3cm) for the center piece.

two rectangular pieces of fabric in pink with measurements marked to sew a fabric bow

Step 2 - Stitch The Bow

Fold the main piece right-sides-together lengthwise.

Stitch using a quarter inch seam allowance (0.7 cm)

Turn right side out. You can attach a safety pin to one end and guide the safety pin through to the other side. Press with the seam centered.

a piece of pink fabric sewn into a tube to create a diy hair bow

Step 3 - Fold Into A Rectangle

Fold the ends of the pressed piece towards the back so the ends will have a slight overlap at the center. I usually overlap them by ⅜" max, that's up to one centimeter, to avoid unnecessary bulk.

Stitch over the overlap area to stabilize the bow. It will make it easier to finish your bow.

Step 4 - Create Bow Center

Next, grab the piece in the center, fold it accordion-style, then pinch it closed. (see the photo below) so you get a bow shape.

Use heavy-duty thread (or yarn) and wrap it a few times around the pleated center, then tie it off. don't cut the thread yet!

Optional, but helpful step: Take the elastic and tie a few knots using the leftover heavy-duty thread (or yarn), attaching it loosely to the bow. This will make it easier to proceed.

Step 5 - Finishing Touches

Take the other, narrow piece of fabric, turn under the two long edges and press to keep in place.

Next wrap the center piece around the center pleats and the elastic tie, and stitch the ends in place using whipping stitch. Alternatively, glue closed and attach to hair clip if you prefer a hair clip bow to elastic.

Done!

What Is the Best Diy Hair Bow Size?

In short, limitless! I've tested a few bow sizes and decided to use my favorite bow dimensions in this tutorial. I've taken photos of a few different sizes I've made, you decide on your favorite. Nearly any rectangular or square size will work and everyone has their own preferences - this is part of what makes diy hair bows such an awesome crafting project!

And yes, every bow needs a baby bow! That's why I'm adding baby bow measurements so you can make hair bows for little girls too!

How To Make a Small Hair Bow

Every little girl loves an adorable bow in her hair. And how do you make little baby bows? I've got you covered, read on!

Using the dimensions from this tutorial, your finished bow size will be approx 4" by 1 ½". Cut the fabric piece from step 1 in two, and you get two baby bows half the original size. Read on for sizing instructions.

What size should hair bows be?

Easy answer: all the sizes! Well since I want you to be quickly able to make at least 3 of them, I decided to show you my favorite 3 sizes I sew hair bows in. One generous size, one slimmer design, and one little kid's size:

3 Hair Bow Sizing Options

Do you want to make bows in different sizes? Additional sizes for bows in the photo above:

top bow: main piece cut in half - 4" x 6" - finished bow 2 ½" x 1 ½"
middle bow: main piece is a bit narrower - 8" x 5"- finished bow 4" x 1 ½ "
bottom bow (best for me) main piece - 8" x 6"- finished bow 4" x 2"

Use bright colored prints and make as many as you want. I hope you liked this hair bow tutorial. I'm looking for ways to make even cuter hair bows using these hexies (aren't they sweet!) 🙂 But that's a story for some other time.