Lolita Bow Tutorial

This is a waaay over done tutorial, making a standard bow is super easy, and you shouldn't buy thing you can make yourself ( IMO :P ) so here is a quick resource on making these head/alice bows. You can adjust the size for bigger or smaller bows. This method works on any type. 

Some youtube videos I like as well: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5OQk6NiWDw  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWXS8pVLycY

You can search for more ideas. Really, you can add anything to the front, add chains, etc. That is a good thing about sewing, if you decide to sew vs. glue, the stitches come out, and you can try again. It is why I prefer to sew vs glue.

Just a quick shot of what I have. This has to be the busiest fabric, sorry! I love it though, made a cute bow *0* Here is what I have
* Fabric Glue - just in case
* Needle and thread]
* Ribbon
* Scissors
* Fabric I am using ( chocolates )
* Some accessories( if desired )
* Hair clip, head band, etc however you want to wear

 

I literally fold the fabric over and cut some off. If you fold it over multiple times, it will allow you to cute it cleaner, the second picture is me cleaning up the edges, the straighter they are, the easier it will be to sew/glue

 

You can skip this step if you do not want to add ribbon to the design. I only put ribbon on the front side, now for lace I suggest hand sewing it to the front part of the bow. If it is this thicker ribbon, I actually glued it and let it set. It does just fine. Lace doesn't allow for glue really.

If you do not want lace, keep moving forward!
Flip the bow inside out and sew, glue or hand stitch. I like hand stitching. ( see below for more details )

This is one I already started, I had to wait for the glue to dry on the other. It is flipped inside out and straightened out. I really like the lace with it *0* it is stitched just on the top.

 

 

Now cut a piece of the fabric, or another fabric that is appealing and will match, or even use some ribbon - for the middle piece. To sew it from fabric, cut the piece then flip it inside out. Sew along the edges, or glue, and then flip inside out. Here you can see me flipping it inside out. The sew the hole closed. 

Once the middle piece is ready, play with the bow to find where you want to sew it. This is fun and difficult, once you let it go, that perfect shape you had can fall apart D: which is what always seems to happen to me.

Any who, once you find a shape you are happy with, wrap the middle piece around and bring the sides together.

Sew the ends together, leaving it tight but not attached to the actual bow ( I like this method best, you can do it however )

 

Now you have a bow, to make a multiple later one, complete an additional bow in matching or similar fabric and instead of putting the middle around ONE bow you will wrap them BOTH in the same middle. You can add things to the middle as well, I made this one and put one of those puffy stars I got off Etsy on it, for example. ( also this fabric is from some old pants of mine, yay upcycle )