AppleGreen Cottage

menu icon
go to homepage
  • START HERE
  • BAGMAKING
  • Sew for HOME
  • QUILTING
  • SHOP
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • START HERE
  • BAGMAKING
  • Sew for HOME
  • QUILTING
  • SHOP
ร—
Home ยป Diy Gifts

How To Make A Felt Bow

before post author bio image applegreencottage
By Damjana Jakos โ€ข Last updated on May 11, 2026 โ€ข This post may contain affiliate links.

See how to make a felt bow with simple loops - so cute! And perfect for gift toppers, holiday presents, wreaths, and garlands.

These felt bows are quick to make, and you don't need a template or a sewing machine. Just cut a few felt strips, fold them into loops, and stack them into a pretty bow.

Follow this easy felt bow tutorial and scroll down for a few extra tips to make your bows look neat and full.

How to make a bow

If you're here for fun projects, try this super popular bucket hat pattern:

three handmande  summer hats on a table sewing with a free bucket hat pattern by applegreencottage.com

+ FREE Bucket Hat Pattern

โ†’ Get FREE Pattern
Table Of Contents
  • + FREE Bucket Hat Pattern
  • Supplies
  • How To Make A Bow Video
  • Felt Bow Tutorial - STEPS
  • BONUS TIPSย 
  • More Ideas

I love creating cute gift bows: look at this tulle bo tutorial, quick diy fabric hair bows, and everything in between! These felt diy bows are perfect for presents - no template, no sewing machine, and just a few simple strips of felt. They're quick, easy, and perfect for topping handmade gifts.

Supplies

  • felt scraps
  • marker and ruler (my 6x24 inch quilting ruler is a multi-tasker!)
  • scissors or rotary cutter plus cutting mat (I useย this one by Olfa)
  • needle, thread

Shop my personal favorite sewing supplies on Amazon HERE.

How To Make A Bow Video

First, here's a video slideshow for those who prefer a video:

Felt Bow Tutorial - STEPS

Now let's continue to our written step-by-step tutorial:

How to make a bow

Step 1 - Cut felt strips

First, let's cut the strips: all of them should be 1 inch wide (2.5cm):

  • 4 strips 12 inch long (30cm)
  • 2 strips 11 inch long (28cm)
  • 2 strips 10 inch long (25cm)
  • 1 strip 4 inches long, for center (10cm)

NOTE: Scissors are just fine, but a rotary cutter and a cutting mat will make this task a breeze!

Step 2 - Twist and join ends

How to make a bow

Take the first strip and twist one end to the center point (1), and then do the same with the other end (2). It will form into a number 8.

How to make a bow

Repeat with all strips, except for the shortest one. You'll end up with 8 pieces of 'eights', and one 'circle'.

Step 3 - Stack all pieces

How to make a bow

Let's sew! Start by threading the needle in a way it won't require any knot-tying (check out this no-knot trick, it's so popular!) Use the first, largest 4 pieces. Then make a few stitches through the center of the first one.

OPTION: Alternatively, you can use your glue gun, of course. I wouldn't, because, with me, it takes forever to clean up the glue afterwards. (#messy) The needle and thread - done in a moment! I might be a little biased, of course!

How to make a bow

Thenย stitch the second piece at a 90-degree angle (5), and thenย continue by stacking up + stitching the rest, one by one from the largest to the smallest one. Pivot them a little if needed, so they fit into the center.

diy felt bow

In the end, attach the center of your felt bow, the circle piece.

Final step - Secure the thread

diy bow

Pull the thread to the back, finish off the sewing and bury the knot.

TIP

If you want to find out more about ending stitching and finishing seams the neat way, see how to bury the knot.

Done! You've just learnt how to make a bow and here's your beautiful creation:

diy bow with loops

BONUS TIPSย 

  1. Adjust the fullness - If your bow feels thick enough, or the center gets too crowded, leave out one or two loop pieces.
  2. Change the strip width - Wider felt strips make a fuller bow. Narrower strips make a slimmer, more delicate bow.
  3. Want lots of narrow loops? - For a bow with many thin loops, it's better to use a different bow-making method. I'll share that tutorial soon!

More Ideas

Ever made a scrunchie? Try these free scrunchie patterns with special shapes:

If you like making accessories, check out these easy projects, too:

  • This diy infinity scarf (So soft!)
  • This FREE Cowl Scarf pattern (Super popular NOW)

Or โ€ฆcheck outย the gift bag pattern in 6 sizes in our shop - a super easy no-corner-boxing sewing project. Reusable gift bags for all your future gifts!

fabric gift bag Reusable Block pattern
Get Gift Bag pattern HERE.
A finished felt bow that was made in minutes and placed as a cute gift topper.

Share it:

Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Facebook

More Diy Gifts

  • A collage of fat quarter sewing projects, including a bright pink quilted oven mitt, a colorful stack of rainbow fabric, and a vibrant striped mini quilt used as a plant mat.
    Easy Fat Quarter Sewing Projects
  • gifts to sew for friends durign teh holiday season - three cowl scarves, a dice pouch in blue tie-dyed fabric, and hand warmers in red fabric
    30+ Easy Gifts to Sew For Friends and Neighbors
  • diy fabric scrunchies in a white ceramic bowl
    How To Make A Scrunchie
  • three handmade gift bags sewm with christmas prints, hanging from the mantel and filled with holiday presents
    Diy Fabric Gift Bags - In Minutes!

Comments

  1. Mea Cadwell says

    May 25, 2022 at 2:30 am

    I like this idea...a lot. But I can't figure out how to attach it to a present. Do you use a strip of felt with velcro?

    Reply
    • Damjana says

      May 25, 2022 at 6:31 am

      Mea hi, a great question. The simplest way to attach the bow to a wrapped present is to tape it using a double-sided tape.

      Reply
  2. Kim says

    December 08, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    I love this felt bow idea! Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  3. Amy P says

    December 03, 2019 at 1:35 am

    What a great idea!! I actually have a bow maker, just need to cut some felt strips! Thanks, I also enjoy reading your posts!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Handmade boxy crossbody bag with floral front pocket, double zipper top, and adjustable strap.
  • Printable Tutorials Bundle by AppleGreen Cottage
A pile of quilted fabric pieces in bright colors with an overlay asking what to sew next.

Footer

โ†‘ back to top

About AppleGreen Cottage

Damjana is the owner and pattern designer at the popular AppleGreen Cottage website, founded in 2014. She creates easy sewing patterns everyone can sew and enjoy. Her customers say they are super easy to follow and love the little hacks and tips sprinkled around. These will make your sewing a breeze, too. Enjoy!

GET A FREE PATTERN when you JOIN our mailing list.

  • Applegreen Cottage on FB
  • IG
  • Applegreen Cottage on Pinterest
  • Applegreen Cottage on Youtube

Contact - About - Privacy Policy - Terms Of Use - Customer Reviews - SHOP

We love sharing! - If you want to feature our work, you may use one unedited image but must include credit and a do-follow link back to the original article.

ยฉ2014-2025 AppleGreenCottage

3M Annual Readers

400+ Tutorials

100+ Sewing Patterns

200,000+ Patterns SOLD