Bows are becoming a popular interior design trend and it seems that Christmas is no different!
Think red velvet and natural materials and 'oversized' as the standout features.
I hadn't been able to source a bow to my exact look or measurements so thought that it should be an easy enough craft project to do myself. I ordered two materials which include a roll of hessian ribbon and a roll of red velvet tape. Note that the velvet tape does have a gold embroidered edge which conceals an iron wire. This assists in terms of shaping and maintaining form.
Apart from a needle and thread, these are the only materials that you will need.
Red Velvet - 6.3cm Wide Tape
Hessian Ribbon - 8cm Wide
( both purchased from Amazon )
I should stress at this point that I rarely sew and will only pick up a needle and thread to mend a hole in a sock, therefore you do not need any experience in needlework to complete this project !!
Step 1
I cut a rough length of red velvet ribbon to approx 85cm long and then two lengths of hessian to the same length
Step 2
Sew the hessian lengths to the outer edge of each side of the red velvet tape. This job will be alot quicker with a sewing machine but if like me you don't have one then you can do this fairly quickly by hand. As long as the thread is a good match to the red ribbon then you don't need to be to neat as the stitching will be barely visible
Step 3
Once you have a triple length of ribbon you will need to sew the two ends together to create a closed loop/circle. Flatten this down so that you now have a double thickness of material, making sure the sewed ends are on the back layer in a central position so they can be hidden
Step 4
Next we create the bow shape. Cut approx 100cm of the red ribbon and wrap several times tightly around the middle of your folded material, leaving 2 roughly similar lengths of ribbon hanging below. Secure by sewing along the bottom of the centre of the bow and through the layer of ribbon behind. Once secure you might need to tease the two sides of the bow until it reaches the form you desire.
Front of Bow
Back of central bow, you will see that I have had to turn the ribbon over on one length in order that the velvet side was face up at the front
Step 5
Cut approximately two 30cm lengths of the hessian tape to further elongate the ends of the bow. You might need to slightly fold the hessian tape to meet the same width as the red ribbon. This gives the hessian a slightly ruffled effect which I think is quite nice. Sew the hessian tape behind the red ribbon
You should then end up with a completed Xmas statement bow that should be approximately 85cm long and 42cm wide. Measurements can be adjusted to your exact requirements.
This bow is very versatile and will look fab styled in a number of different ways. A couple of suggestions would be as a front door decoration, to decorate a wreath, to use as a curtain tie or to simply hang on your wall. You could make two more bows in slightly differing sizes and arrange as a group of three for a real statement wall decoration.
Happy Sewing and enjoy decorating !