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How to Make Bows on a Shirt

Bows add a feminine touch to any garment. Large bows in the same fabric as the shirt add drama without adding color. They are especially dramatic on the shoulders of a satin blouse. Small bows scattered around the neckline add casual texture to a T-shirt, especially when they are made in the same color as the shirt. A row of medium-size bows down the side of a blouse is a tailored, yet feminine, accent.

Things You'll Need

Ruler
Fabric
Sewing machine
Thread
Iron
Needle

Instructions

- 1
  Double the desired length and width of the bow and add 1 inch to each measurement. Cut a rectangle of fabric with these measurements. Cut a square of fabric as long as the first piece is wide. The second piece will wrap around the center of the bow.
- 2
  Fold the large piece in half lengthwise with the right side of the fabric on the inside. Sew the sides of the strip together by sewing 1/2 inch from the raw edges. Turn the strip right side out.
- 3
  Iron the strip flat so that the seam runs down the center of the strip.
- 4
  Lay the strip on the table with the seam up and the long side closest to you.. Fold the side ends of the strip to the center overlapping the ends 1 inch. This forms the loops of the bow.
- 5
  Lay the square on the table with the right side down. Fold the side edges of the square to the center, overlapping the edges slightly. Iron the folds to make a strip.
- 6
  Wrap the strip around the center of the bow. Fold the loose end under 1/2 inch to create a finished edge. Sew the fold to the strip on the underside of the bow with a needle and thread.
- 7
  Hand sew the bow to the blouse. Make more bows in the same way and add them as desired.

Sewing