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

Tulle bows are a popular choice for wedding decorations, adding a touch of glamour to chairs, pews, and benches. They are easy to make, customisable, and inexpensive. This guide will take you through the simple steps to create your own tulle bows for wedding chairs, from choosing the right materials to assembling and finishing the bows. You will learn how to make a basic tulle bow and how to customise it with decorations to match your wedding theme.

Choosing the right tulle

Tulle is a versatile, inexpensive, and widely available material that can be used to create elegant decorations for weddings and other occasions. When choosing the right tulle for your wedding chair bows, there are several factors to consider, such as colour, quality, and the overall theme of your wedding.

Firstly, colour is an important aspect to consider when selecting your tulle. Tulle is available in a wide range of colours, allowing you to choose a shade that complements your wedding colour palette. You can opt for traditional wedding colours such as white, ivory, or blush pink, or choose bolder hues that match your wedding theme. Consider whether you want a single colour or a combination of colours for your bows. Layering different colours of tulle can create a unique and personalised look.

Secondly, the quality of the tulle is an important factor. Tulle is made from various materials, including polyester, nylon, rayon, and silk. The type of material you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your chair bows. For example, polyester tulle is durable and easy to work with, while silk tulle has a luxurious sheen and a softer drape. Consider the texture and weight of the tulle, as well as its ability to hold its shape. High-quality tulle will ensure that your chair bows look elegant and remain in good condition throughout the event.

Additionally, when choosing the right tulle, consider the overall theme and style of your wedding. For example, if you are aiming for a rustic or natural look, you might want to choose a tulle with a more textured or organic appearance. On the other hand, if your wedding has a glamorous or sophisticated theme, opt for a sleek and shiny tulle that reflects light and adds a touch of sparkle. You can also embellish your tulle chair bows with decorations such as flowers, crystals, ribbons, or ornaments that tie in with your wedding theme.

Lastly, when selecting your tulle, don't forget to consider the size of your chair bows and the amount of tulle you will need. Calculate the number of chairs you plan to decorate and the desired size of the bows. This will help you determine the required length and quantity of tulle rolls. It is always better to have a little extra tulle than to run short, so consider buying slightly more than you think you need to accommodate any mistakes or last-minute adjustments.

Cutting the tulle

Firstly, decide on the size of your bow. For a classic wedding chair bow, you will need a roll of tulle that is approximately 6 inches wide. Mark the desired diameter of the bow on a piece of cardboard; this will be your guide. For example, if you want a 12-inch bow, mark a 12-inch line on the cardboard.

Next, determine the length of the bow tails. These are the pieces of tulle that will hang down from the bow. Cut a section of tulle that is twice the length of your desired tail. For instance, if you want 12-inch tails, cut a piece of tulle that is 24 inches long. Set this piece aside for now.

Now, take your roll of tulle and place one end along the side of your cardboard piece. Secure it with pins or by holding it in place. Gently stretch the tulle until it reaches the marked line, and then fold it back towards the opposite side in an accordion-like pattern. Continue this process, creating an even number of loops on each side, usually around five loops per side.

At this point, you can cut the tulle. Cut it in a straight line, matching the edge of the loops. You should now have a set of loops with a straight edge and two long pieces of tulle (the bow tails) that you set aside earlier.

Find the midpoint of the loops by measuring with a ruler or a measuring tape, and mark it lightly with a pencil. Take your pre-cut tail pieces and tie them in a knot around the centre of the loops, ensuring that the two ends of the tulle hang down evenly.

Your tulle is now cut and ready for the final steps of creating a beautiful wedding chair bow.

Creating loops

• Start by determining the size of your tulle bow. For a 12-inch bow, you will need a piece of cardboard marked at 12 inches. This will be your guide for creating the loops.
• Decide on the length of the tail of your bow. The tail is the part that hangs down at the bottom. Cut a section of tulle that is twice the desired length of the tail.
• Place one end of your roll of tulle along the side of the cardboard and pin the corners down to stabilise it.
• Gently stretch and pull the tulle towards the opposite side, creating a fold. Pin the corners down again.
• Continue this accordion-style folding process, ensuring you have at least five loops on each side. Remember to remove and replace the pins each time to hold the tulle in place as you create new loops.
• Once you have an equal number of loops on both sides, it's time to cut the tulle. Cut it in a straight line, matching the edge of the loops.

Now that you have created the loops, the next step is to assemble and finish the bow.

Securing the loops

To secure the loops, you will need to cut a section of tulle that is twice the length of your desired tail. Place your tulle on a flat surface and pin the corners to stabilize it. Pull the material gently until it reaches the line you have marked, then fold it back towards the opposite side and pin the corners again. Keep creating loops by repeating this process, removing and replacing the pins as you go. You should aim for at least five loops on each side, or enough layers to reach the desired number of loops for your bow. Once you have an even number of loops on each side, cut the tulle in a straight line, matching the edge of the loops.

Now, locate the centre of the loops and mark it lightly with a pencil. Take your pre-cut tail piece and tie it in a straight knot around the centre, so that the two ends hang down. You can also slide a separate piece of tulle underneath the bundle and tie a knot to secure it. This will create the centre of your bow.

Adding decorations

Now that you've made your tulle bow, you can add decorations to customise it to your wedding colours or theme. You can attach flowers, bows, ribbons, feathers or other ornaments to the centre of your tulle bow using thin wire or a dab of glue. If you want to add some extra sparkle, try gluing on some rhinestones or a vintage brooch.

If you're hanging your bows from chairs, you can purchase pew clips or use a piece of wire or pipe cleaner attached to the back of the centre knot. Tulle is available in a wide variety of colours, so you can choose one that matches your wedding colours or go with a classic white.

Play around with different types of material to create a unique look. Try combining two colours in tulle, such as lavender and silver for a lavender wedding theme, or green and white for a greenery theme. You can also layer tulle or select from sheer to semi-opaque to add texture and depth to your decorations.

If you want to add some extra flair to your chair decorations, consider draping tulle around the reception chairs instead of just using it as ribbons. This can also be a great way to add volume to a flat-looking wedding arch.

Frequently asked questions