Quick & Easy Fabric Hair Bow Tutorial (Beginner-Friendly!)

Let’s be honest—sometimes we want to sew something cute, fast, and low-commitment.

Or maybe you need a last-minute gift, or (like me) you have a drawer full of fabric scraps that are just too pretty to throw away.

Enter: the easiest hair bow tutorial you’ll ever find. It only requires two fabric pieces, two seams, and practically no effort—but the results? Adorable.

Also perfect for spring and summer coming up – these hair bows can easily be attached to bags, hats, zipper bags or even shirts!

Let’s get started on this super fast hair bow tutorial!

What You’ll Need

One piece of fabric for the bow: 6” x 24”
One small piece for the center: 2” x 4”
Marking Pencil or pen
Matching thread
String for temporary tying middle
Your Bernina Sewing Machine
Iron
Scissors or rotary cutter
Hand-sewing needle and thread (optional)

Step 1: Make the Bow

Take your 6” x 24” fabric rectangle and fold it in half, right sides together, so it measures 3” x 24”.

First mark 2″ in from both short sides, then go down 1/4″ and draw a line to the bottom corner, repeat on the opposite side.

This creates that “bow” effect on the bottom of the bows, if you want it less angled, make it less angled, more angled? Make it more angled.

Next fold it in half to find the middle and finger press a line or mark it. (I apologize this picture is blurry but you can see the marks!)

Mark 1″ from the center top point 1/4″ down from the top. This will be your opening and will not be sewn. And now you’re ready!

Finally we’ll sew! Sew along the angled lines you made, stop 1/4″ from the top, lower your needle, and lift your foot up to pivot so that you’re sewing along the top with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Keep sewing until you hit the center marks, back stitch to secure and cut your thread.

Restart on the other center mark, back stitch and keep sewing repeating all steps on the opposite side of the bow.

Trim the diagonal corners, and turn it right side out, folding in the turning hole by 1/4″. Press very well.

Optional: stitch the turning hole closed using a matching thread, this might be helpful if the bow is going to be in a setting that is higher used (like a sweatshirt or hat, not a bunting or hair bow).

Step 2: Create the Bow Shape

Now the magic! Fold the long strip so that it looks like a pretzel. One side will be folded over and the repeat with opposite side. The middle should measure about 6 – 6 1/2″.

Carefully pick up the bow, creasing along the center point, folding under and over by about 1/2″ repeating until the entire center of the bow is creased/squished together.

Tie this with a string tightly, this string will be removed eventually so don’t worry about matching colors.

Optional: Rather than using a fabric as the center, grab some ribbon, embroidery thread or even knitting yard and wrap it it tightly around the center to create a fun, unique finish!

Step 3: Add the Center Band

Take your 2” x 4” piece and fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together. Open it up and then fold in the long edges to meet at the center crease line. Fold in half again to create double fold tape.

Optional: Stitch along the folded edges to secure, I did not in mine.

Wrap this piece around the center of your bow and sew the ends together on the back (or hand-stitch). If you’d like your bow to be attached to a stretchy hair elastic, put the elastic next to the bow before sewing the center band together.

I squished my bow down and stitched about 1/4″ away from the bow to secure the center band.

Trim the excess ends and then flip the little center fabric band around so that the seam is facing inward.

Trim the string so that it doesn’t show or clip it to remove it entirely (what I did).

Step 4: Finishing Touches

To finish your cute bow, hot glue or glue hair clips to the back of the bow. You can also glue it to a headband, hats, sweatshirts.. the options are endless!!