Here is a little tutorial to show how I made the bow belt I wore in the new Color Me Retro video. I think that it is just adorable and I am so excited to be sharing this with you. They are simple enough for new sewers to try and easy for experienced sewers to whip up. Either way they have a great wardrobe impact. It’s a great way to transform an outfit and a great way to use up scraps of leftover fabric. Bows are right on trend in fashion right now but being a retro girl I never need an excuse to add a bow.
For the belt you will need three pieces of fabric: I cut mine on grain to save fabric
but if you have a piece of bias fabric it would give you a little bit of stretch in your belt.
You will need enough fabric to make 3 rectangles
Fusible interfacing 2” x your waist measurement + 5”
2 hooks
4 eyes
Thread to match fabric
Sewing machine or hand needle
Small amount of ribbon for turning
The belt main piece is 5” wide and your waist measurement + 5” (I measured myself over a thin shirt since I know I was going to offer two size options.)
The bow rectangle is 6” x 12”.
The knot rectangle is 3” x 3”.
Iron all pieces.
Iron the 2” piece of interface belt down the middle of the wrong side of fabric of the longest rectangle this will give your belt some stability.
Fold your belt in half the long way and sew lengthwise along the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the begining and end of your belt.
Press the seam open.
If you are comfortable turning the tube right side out you can use the turning method you are comfortable with. The turning method I used is great for beginners.
Thread a ribbon the length of your tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.
Tack the thread down with a line of large stitches.
Pull the tail of ribbon you left and the tube will begin to turn on itself.
Keep pulling until entire tube is right side out.
Snip threads used to hold ribbon.
Press once right side is out.
To sew the bow fold in half so the two shortest sides meet with right sides together.
Sew lengthwise along the edge with a 1/2” seam allowance leaving a 2” space in the stitching for turning. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each section.
Press seam open. Move seam to the middle and iron flat.
Sew both ends with 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.
Use the 2” opening to turn right sides out.
Poke corners carefully with scissors to make sharp corners and press.
Fold knot for bow in half the long way and sew lengthwise along the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance.
Press seam open. Move seam to the middle and iron flat.
To turn knot thread a ribbon the length of your tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.
Tack the thread down with a line of large stitches.
Pull the tail of ribbon you left and the tube will begin to turn on itself.
Keep pulling until entire tube is right side out.
Snip threads used to hold ribbon.
Press once right side is out.
Fold knot in half with seam on outside and sew down raw edge with ¼” seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end.
Press seam open.
Turn right side out.
Pinch or pleat bow and slide knot into center.
Straighten and fluff your bow how you like it.
Hand tack knot to bow and bow to belt in place as you like it so it won’t move.
Sew hooks in place (two rows of eyes allow for wardrobe changes).
Et Voila! Hook it around your favorite dress or shirt to add instant retro style!
From Megan With Love!
