Creating Tulle Bows For Your Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Tulle bows are a popular choice for weddings, adding a touch of glamour to pews, chairs, and benches. They are also used for gift-wrapping, baby showers, and wreaths. Making a tulle bow is easy and inexpensive, requiring only a few basic supplies such as tulle, scissors, wire, and a large piece of cardboard. The size of the bow can be adjusted by using more or less tulle, and the colour can be customised to match the wedding theme. This simple DIY project can add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding decor.

Choosing the right tulle

Tulle is a lightweight, sheer fabric that is often made from nylon or silk. It is known for its soft texture and flowing, ethereal drapes, making it a popular choice for wedding dresses, veils, and other bridal wear. When choosing the right tulle for your wedding bow, there are several factors to consider:

Type of Tulle

Tulle comes in various types, including plain, glitter, stretch, ombre, beaded, and polka dot. Plain tulle has a delicate, ethereal appearance, making it a popular choice for bridal wear. Glitter tulle adds a touch of sparkle and glamour, while stretch tulle provides a comfortable fit and flattering drape. Ombre tulle features a unique gradient effect, and beaded tulle adds a touch of elegance and sparkle to any outfit. If you want to add a playful touch to a formal gown, consider polka dot tulle, which features small circles of different colours.

Colour

Tulle is available in a wide range of colours, so you can choose the perfect shade to match your wedding colour palette. White is a classic choice for weddings, but you can also mix and match colours to create a unique look.

Embellishments

If you want to add a bit of sparkle or texture to your tulle bow, consider choosing an embellished variety. Embellished tulles, such as those with embroidery or sequins, are perfect for creating fantasy and fairy-like looks.

Amount

Tulle bows can use up more fabric than you might expect, so be sure to buy enough tulle for your project. As a general rule, you will need at least 4-5 yards of tulle to create a bow.

Width

When creating a tulle bow, it is important to consider the width of the fabric. Most tutorials recommend using 6" spools of tulle for bows, but you can adjust the width depending on the size and fullness you desire.

Cutting the tulle

Before you start cutting, decide on the size of your tulle bow. For a consistent size, you can measure and mark the desired diameter on a piece of cardboard. This will be your guide as you create the loops for your bow. Remember, the size of your loops will determine the overall size of the bow.

Now, cut a section of tulle that is about 8 inches longer than your desired bow length. This extra length will give you room to work with and ensure that your finished bow is the right size. Set this piece of tulle aside as you'll need it later.

The next step is to create the loops for your bow. Place one end of the tulle roll along the edge of your cardboard and secure it with pins. Gently stretch the tulle to the marked line and then fold it back, creating an accordion-like shape. Secure the corners with pins. Continue this process, making sure to remove the pins and adding a new piece of tulle each time you create a new loop. Aim for at least five loops on each side, keeping them as even as possible.

Once you're happy with the number of loops, it's time to cut the tulle. Cut the loops in a straight line, matching the edge of the loops. You should now have a bunch of even-length loops secured by your pins.

At this point, you'll want to cut a separate piece of tulle, about the length of your hand. This will be used to secure the middle of your bow. Thread this piece of tulle underneath the bundle of loops and tie a knot to secure them together. You can use fabric scissors to cut any excess tulle from this knot, ensuring a neat finish.

Now, carefully remove the pins holding the loops together. Gently fluff out the pieces of tulle to create a beautiful, full bow. Remember to handle the tulle with care as it can be delicate and easily ripped.

Assembling the bow

To assemble a tulle bow for a wedding, you will need tulle, wire, scissors, a large piece of cardboard, and a plastic pew clip or a pipe cleaner.

Firstly, decide on the size of your bow. If you're making a bow that will be 12 inches in diameter, for instance, measure and mark 12 inches on your cardboard. Next, decide on the length of the tail of your bow—the pieces that hang down at the bottom. Cut a section of tulle that is twice the length of your desired tail.

Now, place one end of the roll of tulle along the side of your cardboard piece and pin both corners down. Gently stretch the tulle until it reaches the line you have marked, then fold the tulle back towards the opposite side and pin the corners down. Continue this folding process until you have at least five loops on each side, remembering to remove the pins and fold down a new piece of tulle each time you create a new loop.

Once you have an even number of loops on each side, cut the tulle in a straight line matching the edge of the loops. Find the midpoint of the loops with a measuring tape and lightly mark it with a pencil. Take your previously cut tail piece and tie it in a straight knot around the marked centre, so the two ends of tulle hang down.

Finally, remove the pins holding the loops and gently fluff out the pieces of tulle to create a finished bow. Tulle holds the shape it is stretched into, so work carefully.

Finishing touches

Now that you've created your tulle bow, it's time to add some final touches to make it truly special. Here are some ideas to elevate your tulle creation:

• Embellishments: Add a touch of sparkle or a vintage flair to your bow. You can pin on a vintage brooch or use hot glue to attach rhinestones or other embellishments.
• Customise with colour: Tulle is available in a wide range of colours, so you can choose the perfect shade to match your wedding theme. You can also mix and match colours for a unique look.
• Floral wire: Use floral wire to secure the centre of your bow and create a neat, tight finish. This is also useful if you want to attach the bow to pews, chairs, or benches at your wedding venue.
• Streamer effect: Cut long lengths of tulle in three different colours and attach them together. Fold this in half and secure it at the back of the bow with floral wire to create a colourful streamer effect underneath.
• Additional decorations: Tulle bows can be further embellished with flowers, ribbons, feathers, or other ornaments. Use thin wire or a small amount of glue to attach these decorations to the centre of your bow.
• Transport with care: Tulle is delicate and can be easily creased, so it's important to handle your tulle bows with care. Avoid placing them in bags, boxes, or containers, as they may become misshapen. Instead, hang the bows by their tails and transport them very carefully to your wedding venue.

Transporting and displaying the bow

Tulle is a delicate fabric that requires careful handling, especially when it comes to transportation and display. Here are some detailed instructions for transporting and displaying your tulle bow:

Transporting the Tulle Bow:

• Avoid containers: Do not place or transport your tulle bow in bags, boxes, or containers. Tulle is prone to wrinkling and creasing, and once it is misshapen, it is challenging to restore it to its original form.
• Hang the bow: The best way to transport a tulle bow is to hang it by its tails. This method ensures the bow remains as wrinkle-free as possible during transport.
• Handle with care: Transport your tulle bow with extreme care. Even with hanging, the fabric can still be susceptible to damage if it comes into contact with sharp objects or experiences excessive pulling or stretching.

Displaying the Tulle Bow:

• Choose a suitable location: Display your tulle bow in an area that is relatively protected from potential damage. Avoid placing it in high-traffic areas where it may be accidentally bumped or brushed against.
• Hang from a sturdy object: If your tulle bow is intended for decoration, such as on pews, chairs, or benches, consider purchasing pew clips or using wire attached to the back of the centre knot to securely hang the bow.
• Display with other decorations: Tulle bows can be displayed alongside other decorations such as flowers, ribbons, or feathers. Use thin wire or a small amount of glue to attach these embellishments to the centre of your tulle bow.
• Fluff and shape: Tulle holds the shape it is stretched into, so gently fluff and arrange the pieces of tulle to create your desired look. Be cautious, as tulle can rip easily.

Frequently asked questions