Today I have a felt bow template and tutorial to make an oversized headband like you’ve seen in the photos of the Florence dress and Colorblock dress. You can attach the felt bow template to any headband or hairclip for a statement hairpiece that your little girl will love.
FELT BOW TEMPLATE
Shop bought felt bows and hair accessories can be expensive so why not make your own for birthday presents and Christmas stocking fillers.
The felt bow template in this tutorial is large and oversized. If you’d like a smaller bow, you can reduce it on a photocopier or I also have another DIY bow tutorial for smaller bows.
Further Reading: DIY Bow
Felt Bow Template – Pattern & Supplies
Sizes Included for the Felt Bow Template
Included in this felt bow template pattern is a 5 ½ inch (14cm) length bow. You can use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the pattern pieces to get an endless array of sizes.
Suggested Fabrics
Make your bows from 2 pieces washable craft felt in contrasting colors.
You can purchase felt squares from your local haberdashery or craft shop which are inexpensive and easy to use. I use acrylic felt which is the cheapest and because it is a bit stiffer than wool, gives a nice shape to the bow. Wool felt looks beautiful and is a little softer but is more expensive.
Look for felt with fun designs such as spots or glitter for an extra pop of color on one of the layers.
Notions
- Hand sewing needle
- Strong thread. I use upholstery thread as you can pull the center of the bow really tight without the thread snapping.
- Hair clips or hairband to attach. Packets of metal hair clips can be purchased cheaply from Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress. Buy them by the tens or hundreds and keep then in your sewing supplies.
- Sewing machine (OPTIONAL). A sewing machine makes the bow a little faster but you can use a hand stitch instead.
Printing The Felt Bow Template
Click on the link above and a PDF will open up in a new window for you to print.
When printing your pattern pieces, make sure that your printers “page scaling” is set to “none” and “auto center and rotate” is checked.
Trim and tape the edges of the 2 boxes together cutting off the excess.
Further Reading: How to print a PDF pattern
Cutting the Felt Bow Template
After you have cut out the paper pattern pieces, transfer the shapes onto your felt.
I use white chalk to draw the outlines as it is easy to remove later.
Alternatively, use a biro (ballpoint pen) to draw on the felt. When you cut, do so just inside the marked line so the biro markings are cut off. You don’t want to leave any markings on the edges of the felt as it will show in the final product.
Felt Bow Template – Instructions
Step 1 – Large Bow
Fold the large bow along the marked fold lines and stitch the center ends in place as shown.
You can do this with either your machine or with hand stitches which are a running stitch or backstitch. If your sewing machine is not set up ready to go, it will be just as quick to do this with hand stitches.
Step 2 – Small Bow
Repeat for the small bow. Fold the large bow along the marked fold lines and stitch the center ends in place.
Step 3 – Join the Bows
With RIGHT sides up, place the small bow on top of the large bow.
Thread a needle with a long piece of strong cotton. From underneath put your needle through the bows about 1/4 inch (6mm) in.
Pinch in the middle of the bow with your fingers arranging the folds evenly.
Using the thread, wind it several times around the middle. Knot the thread on the back. You now have a bow with the thread still securely attached.
Do not cut the thread.
Step 4 – The Middle Piece
Place the bow middle on your table and put the bow on top of it with the RIGHT side facing down.
Wrap the bow middle tightly around the gathered center of the bow.
(If you used a thin felt you might need to cut the bow middle a little shorter to make it tighter.)
Hand stitch the ends together at the back using the attached thread. This is the back of the bow and it will be hidden in a clip so don’t worry if it doesn’t look that neat. I used an overstitch.
Knot off the thread.
Important – Do not cut the thread when you have finished.
Step 5 – Attach to Hair Accessory
Use the thread to sew the back of the felt bow template to a hair clip or headband. You could also just slip the clip under the middle piece and glue it in place.
I have a tutorial on how to cover alligator clips for a really professional looking clip. Once lined, alligator clips are best glued to the back of your hair bow with a hot glue gun.
Congratulations you are all finished! Team your felt bow template with your favorite dress and you are all ready to go!
Ten More Hair Accessory Tutorials
Here are ten more hair accessories you can make. These are all free tutorials from my blog so get sewing today!
DIY Fabric Hair Clips DIY Hair Ties Fabric Bows How to Make A Ribbon Bow
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