DIY Felt Bow: Easy Felt Bow Pattern (Free Printable Template)

Learn how to make a DIY felt bow with this free printable pattern. These easy felt bows are perfect for hair clips, headbands, gift wrapping, baby accessories, and craft projects. Made from inexpensive craft felt or faux leather, they only take a few minutes to assemble with either a glue gun or simple hand sewing. Download the free felt bow template below and follow the step-by-step instructions to create beautiful handmade bows in any color or size.

Looking for a larger statement bow? Try my oversized felt bow template.

Supplies

• Felt squares. You could also use vinyl (faux leather) like the sparkly gold bow I made in the bottom picture. Felt squares are readily available at craft shops and fabric stores. Many discount stores also sell felt squares. If you are going to be making lots of bows, felt can also be purchased by the yard.
• Hot glue gun or a needle and thread. Using a glue gun will mean you can make these bows in just a few minutes. It normally takes longer for the glue gun to heat up than to make the bows. Small, low-temperature craft glue guns are ideal. If you don’t have a glue gun handy then don’t worry. It will take a little longer but you can use your needle and thread to make a nice bow also.
• Hairclip on which to attach your DIY felt bow. Alligator clips are the best as they are cheap and stay in the hair better than some other clips. It looks really professional if you add a lined alligator clip. (Read how to line an alligator clip)
• Your DIY felt bow pattern. Click on the link and print it out, making sure that it has printed to scale. DOWNLOAD PATTERN

>> DOWNLOAD PATTERN

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How to Make a DIY Felt Bow (Step by Step)

Step 1 – Cut the Felt

Start by cutting out all your pieces. You can pin your pattern pieces to the felt of use a removable pen to trace around them. Don’t use a regular pen on your felt as you will see it on the edges of the bow when it is completed. Felt is best cut with sharp fabric scissors so you get nice clean edges. Try and be accurate with your cutting.

Step 2 – Fold the Bow to the Middle

Take the large bow piece and fold both ends towards the center and overlap them by 1/4 inch (6mm). Glue or sew them down. I used my hot glue gun but you could easily use a straight stitch on a sewing machine or a running stitch.

TIP: Most felt doesn’t have a right or wrong side but if yours does, then the right side should be on the outside. Don’t be confused by the spots being on the inside in my photo. I wanted the plain blue to be on the outside of the large bow so the different layers would show up.

Repeat for the small bow. You can see that this time I put the spots on the outside.

Step 3 – Layer the Pieces

Now layer all your pieces of the DIY felt bow pattern. The ribbon should be on the bottom, then the large bow and small bow. All should be right side up so all the joins are hidden.

Stitch through all layers or glue them together. If you are gluing, all you need is a thin strip of glue in the center of each layer. You don’t need to glue all the way to the ends of the bows.

Step 4 – Add Center to the Bow

Wrap the center piece across the top and around to the back of the bow. Glue or stitch it at the back, overlapping the ends tightly. Depending on the thickness of your felt, you may need to trim it a little shorter.

Here is what it looks like from the back.

Step 5 – Attach Clips

Now glue a lined alligator clip or comb to the back. These bows also look nice when attached to a headband.

All finished and ready to put in your hair!

Tips for Making Felt Bows

• Acrylic felt holds its shape well.
• Use sharp scissors for clean edges.
• Faux leather creates elegant bows.
• Use contrasting colors for layered bows.
• Lined alligator clips create a professional finish.

DIY Felt Bow FAQs

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to make a DIY felt bow, you can create beautiful bows for hair clips, headbands, gift wrapping, clothing, and home décor. Using the free printable felt bow pattern, it’s easy to experiment with different felt colors, faux leather, and glitter fabrics to create bows for every occasion. Once you’ve mastered this simple design, try some of my other free bow and hair accessory tutorials.

If you liked this DIY felt bow tutorial, then I have more hair accessories that you can make with ribbon, felt and fabric.

1. How to Make a Ribbon Bow
2. How to Make Fabric Hair Accessories
3. How to Make Fabric Bows
4. How to Make a Scrunchie
5. How to Make Fabric Flowers
6. Cloth Flower Making
7. DIY Hair Ties