I’ve had quite a lot of costumers ask me recently about making bows for bustle dresses. Since bows are THE Victorian trim this tutorial will work for most 19th century garments.
This video tutorial will show you how to make one up quickly.
Use any size ribbon for these bows. Or cut strips of fabric. You can tuck the raw edges behind and underneath so they won’t show.
Be creative too. Here green satin fabric was sewn into strips that were then looped up, tacked together and covered with a narrow strip. This arrangement was all hand sewn together making it look like the fabric was tied and the loop is holding it all together.
Have you made ribbon bows? What costume will you add them to next? (Try a bustle dress!)
Wonderful tutorial and so easy. I’ve always struggled with bows and they always end up looking lopsided. This little video is a godsend ~ thank you so much Jennifer xx 👍🙂
What a fabulous tutorial, thank you so much. Very easy to follow and a great help. My bows are ‘non-perfect’ as you say but absolutely perfect! Many thanks.
You’re welcome Emerald! Glad you found it helpful. And have fun making more “perfect” bows! 🙂
Thank you! Your tutorial was exactly what I needed to assist me in making the bustle bow for my Mamma Gkika costume.
I had been stuck on how to make it, so I Googled “bustle bows” and quickly found your informative site.
Now, I am one step closer to having my costume ready for the the 2014 SPWF.
Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your sewing knowledge. I love this site and really appreciate the tips and tutorials.
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for such a clear tutorial. I’ve done bows like this before using old Harper’s Bazar directions, but never caught on to the pleating of the streamers, and often I left the central tie too flat. Brilliant tips, and they make such a difference in the final effect.
Very best,
Natalie
I love your videos! Its so much easier to have live visuals to learn how to do these. I’ve done a more simplified version but love the two bow method.
How do you get the loops to stay so even? Whether I pin them or not one side usually comes out about 25% bigger than the other.
I will use only a couple pins but then I work with it as I sew. Sometimes I have to twist parts of it and tack more in one area to get it to come out close to even. But my bows are usually never equal and I don’t want them to be. Victorian dresses are full of non-perfectly even bows and loops.
Thanks so much for this great and easy lesson. I will making all of my bows this way !!!
Ahhhhh! The gathering running stitch is what I’ve been missing!
Thank you for posting this. I have some hats to trim and a bit of trim decision anxiety. You’ve given me some great ideas and inspiration!