Today’s tutorial will teach you how to sew rectangular bow clips or pins. These types of bows are often used by Angelic Pretty for their hairbows, brooches, and clips. Other brands like Baby The Stars Shine Bright and Metamorphose use a different style for their accessories.
Making rectangular bows is one of the easiest projects for people who are new to sewing. Before you begin make sure you know how to set up your sewing machine, and practice sewing a straight line. Once you can do that, you’re ready to start!
For this project, you will need the following:
1/2 yard of fabric (preferably one without stretch.)
Lace, if desired (there is no lace in this tutorial)
Matching Thread
Sewing Machine or Needles
Sewing Pins
Clip or Pin backings
Step 1: Decide on what kind of bow you’re making. Do you want it to be an over the top headbow, or are you looking for something more casual? Do you want the bow to be pinned at the waist or shoulder straps of your dress, or do you want a few extras for your shoes or hair? Once you’ve decided this, you’ll know how big to make the bow. If you’re still feeling indecisive, take the measurements of your favorite bow, and just use that.
Step 2: Cut your fabric into two pairs of rectangles. The first pair of rectangles should be a few cm larger than the second pair.
Step 3: Now, take the two pairs of rectangles and flip the fabric so that the back of the faces outwards. If you want to use lace, sandwich it between the two pieces of fabric, with the decorated end of the lace facing the center of the rectangles. Pin the two pieces together, and sew up three of the four edges.You should start and end with the two short sides. When you reach the fourth long side, leave a small gap in your stitches around the center. This is so that you can turn your fabric inside out. Do this for both pairs of rectangles.
Step 4: Once you’ve completed this, turn your rectangles-pouches inside out, so that the pattern is showing. You’ll want iron them flat, and stitch the gap closed.
Step 5: Next, you need to cut out one longer, slender rectangle. This will be cinched like a belt around the two rectangles to give them the appropriate bow shape. You’ll want it to be long enough that your bow doesn’t look pinched, and wide enough that it won’t look too floppy. In this case, starting out larger is better, because you can always trim the belt down to size.
Take the strip of fabric and fold it length wise down the center so that the back shows. Sew the two edges shut. Then, turn your tube inside out, and center the seam. Iron the tube to prevent the seam from slipping to the side.
Step 6: Now, take the two rectangles and place the smallest one on top, with about a quarter of an inch above the larger rectangle. Fold it like a fan, starting with the smaller rectangle, and ending with the larger one. It should look like this once you’ve finished. Pin it in the center.
Step 7: Take the belt and wrap it around the center of your bow. Make sure that the exposed edges are centered along the back of your bow, and sew them together.
Step 8: Flip your bow over and take a look at the front. Now is the time to make sure the belt is centered, and then add the appropriate backing.
Top: Over the top head-eating headbow OR waistbow brooch for a dress or skirt.
Center: Casual headbow
Bottom: Hairclip, small pins or brooches
Once you’ve done that, you’re finished!
Have fun!
Miss Rosie
Thank you! I’m going to try to make one of these this afternoon! =)