Felt Bow Template {Free Printable Felt Bow Tutorial}

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 Tutorial

Shop-bought felt bows and hair accessories can be expensive, so why not make your own for birthday presents and Christmas stocking fillers. You can attach the bow to a hair clip or even sew it to your favorite dress. The possibilities are endless!

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. 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.

Suggested Felt for Making Bows

Make your bows from 2 pieces of 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, it 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 them 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

>>DOWNLOAD PATTERN PIECES

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 printer's “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 Felt Bow Template

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 and ready to go, it will be just as quick to do this with hand stitches.

Step 1: Big Bow - Fold the edges into the middle and stitch.

Step 2 - Small Felt Bow Template

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 the 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 ¼ 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, as you will use it in the next step.

Step 4 - Wrap the thread around the middle

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.

Step 4 - Place the bow wrong side up on the bow middle piece.

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!