How To Make

Felt Bow – Folding Instructions

Example of stabilizer used for felt bows

Recommended Stabilizer

I like to use tear-away stabilizer — it works really well with faux leather, felt, and vinyl.

If you’d rather not deal with tearing stabilizer away, or you’re working with delicate materials, water-soluble stabilizer (WSS) is also a great option. Just remember: your finished bow will need some time to dry after stitching.

Want to Add a Lining?

You absolutely can — and it’s very simple to do!

A lining gives your bow a cleaner finish and adds extra thickness. Just note it might make stitching or gluing a bit trickier depending on your main fabric’s thickness.

When to add the lining:
You’ll add the lining right before stitching the final outline of the design.

How to add the lining:

  • Stitch the full design as usual.
  • When you get to the last outline stitch (often marked with a different color), pause your machine.
  • Place the lining on the back of your hoop, securing it with temporary spray adhesive or tape.
  • Run the final outline stitch — it will secure the lining neatly in place.

Felt Bow – Folding Instructions

Stitch and cut out both pieces of your bow design.

Two cut pieces of felt bow design

Start with the main bow piece.

Main felt bow piece ready for folding

Fold each end toward the center so they meet in the middle — like folding a soft taco on both sides.

Folding bow ends toward center

Stitch or glue the ends together in the center to hold the shape.

Bow ends secured in the center

Grab the piece with the tails. Place the bow on top and either stitch or glue it in place.

Bow attached to felt tails piece

Now take the thin center strip. This piece wraps around the middle of your bow in three steps:

  1. First, fold it to the back.
  2. Then wrap it over the front.
  3. Finally, bring it around to the back again.

Center strip wrapping steps illustration

First fold of center strip to back

Then wrap it over the front.

And finally bring it around to the back again.

Final wrap of center strip

Flip the bow over and stitch or glue the ends of the center strip together on the back.

Back of bow with center strip secured

And that’s it — your felt bow is ready to go!

Finished felt bow example

And that’s it — your felt bow is ready to go!