How to Make a Bow for a Girl's Dress

A bow is a great way to revive an old dress.

Personalizing a girl's dress for different occasions will increase the lifetime and value of the dress. A simple way to do this is to enrich it with a personalized bow. This is also a great gift. Here are two easy ways to accomplish a bow.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Hand sewing needle
• Thread
• Fabric
• Scissors

Instructions

Make a Sash Bow

1. Cut a strip of fabric 36 inches long and 4 inches in height.

2. Fold the fabric in half the long way, right sides of fabric together, so that the length is still 36 inches, but the folded height is now 2 inches.

3. Sew using a running stitch* along one side of height and the open side of the length 1/4 inch from the edge. You will be leaving one side of the height open.

4. Turn the sash inside out through the open height. You should see the right side of the fabric, and a clean sash, free of stitches.

5. Fold the edges to the open area inside the sash so that 1/4 inch of edge is inside. Insert the threaded needle into the edge of the folded section. Stitch in a zigzag motion, catching the top edge of fabric on each side of the gap. Sew to the edge of the opening, closing it. The sash should be completely sewn closed.

6. Wrap the sash around the waist of the girl's dress and tie into a bow.

Make a Seperate Bow

1. Cut a piece of fabric 5 inches in length and 6 inches in height.

2. Fold the fabric in half the long way, right sides of fabric together, so that the length is still 5 inches, but the folded height is now 3 inches.

3. Sew using a running stitch* along one side of the height and the open side of the length 1/4 inch from the edge. You will be leaving one side of the height open.

4. Turn the rectangle inside out through the open height. You should see the right side of the fabric, and a clean rectangle free of stitches.

5. Fold the edges to the open area inside the rectangle so that 1/4 inch of edge is inside. Insert the threaded needle into the edge of the folded section. Stitch in a zigzag motion, catching the top edge of fabric on each side of the gap. Sew to the edge of the opening, closing it. The rectangle should be completely sewn closed.

6. Sew a very loose vertical running stitch*, knotted on one side, through the center of the rectangle length. Pull the thread so that the fabric scrunches together into a bow shape.

7. Cut another piece of fabric 4 inches vertically and 1 inch horizontally. Fold 1/4 inch of each of the vertical edges inward toward the wrong side of the fabric.

8. Wrap the folded piece around the center of the bow, covering the stitch line, ends of the piece in the back of the bow. Make sure the piece is tight on the bow and cut any excess length. Sew the two ends of the folded piece together in the back, using a running stitch.

9. Pin your bow to the girl's dress with a safety pin.

Tips & Warnings

• *A running stitch is a stitch where the needle is inserted through the top of the fabric, then through the back about 1/4 inch away, parallel to the fabric edge.

• The sewing could be completed using a sewing machine. Make sure to back stitch edges.

Resources

• Mood Fabrics: Home