Creating Tulle Pew Bows For Your Wedding Day

Pew bows are a decorative detail often used in wedding ceremonies, adding a touch of class and glamour to the church or venue. Tulle, an inexpensive and versatile material, is a popular choice for creating these bows, and can be easily customised to match the wedding colours or theme. Making tulle pew bows is a simple process, requiring only a few basic supplies, and can be done in just a few steps.

Tulle and ribbon supplies

Tulle and ribbon are both essential supplies when it comes to making tulle pew bows for a wedding. Here is some more information on where to source these supplies and the different varieties available.

Tulle

Tulle is a versatile material that can be used for various wedding decorations, from pew bows to veils, wedding dresses, and chair bows. It is made from silk, nylon, polyester, rayon, or a silk-rayon combination and is available in a wide range of colours, sizes, and designs.

When sourcing tulle for your wedding pew bows, consider the colour, width, and length that will best suit your needs. For example, if you want to create large, voluminous bows, you may require more tulle of a wider width.

Tulle is readily available at craft stores, wedding specialty stores, and online retailers. Some online stores, such as Amazon, offer tulle fabric rolls in various colours, including white, light pink, light blue, purple, ivory, yellow, and royal blue. These rolls are typically 6 inches wide and range from 100 to 200 yards in length.

Other online retailers, like Tulle Shop, offer tulle bolts, rolls, and circles in a variety of patterns, including polka dots, premium colours, sparkles, and shimmers. They also provide wholesale tulle at discounted prices, which can be ideal for bulk purchases.

Ribbon

Ribbon is another essential supply for creating pew bows. It adds structure and elegance to the overall design. When selecting ribbon, consider the width, length, and colour that will complement your tulle and wedding theme.

Retailers like JOANN offer a range of wedding ribbon spools, including satin ribbons, which can add a luxurious touch to your pew bows.

You can also find ribbon at craft stores or online retailers, allowing you to choose the perfect colour and width to match your wedding colour palette.

By sourcing tulle and ribbon in complementary colours and having enough material on hand, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful tulle pew bows for your wedding.

Cutting and measuring

Before you start making your tulle pew bows, you'll need to do some cutting and measuring. Tulle usually comes in rolls that are 6" wide and have 100 yards or more on the spool. It's best to buy tulle by the roll rather than by the bolt—trying to save money by cutting wider pieces of tulle to make your bows will only give you a headache! The amount of tulle you'll need depends on the size of your bows. Here's a simple chart to help you estimate how much tulle you'll need:

• 8" diameter bow: 3 yards for the bow and 1/2 yard for the tail
• 12" diameter bow: 4 yards for the bow and 1/2 yard for the tails
• 16" diameter bow: 5.5 yards for the bow and 1/2 yard for the tails

Once you've determined the size of your bow, get a large piece of cardboard and mark the diameter of the bow you want on it. For example, if you want a 12" bow, measure and mark 12" on your cardboard. This will be your guide for cutting and measuring your tulle.

Cut a section of tulle that is twice the length of your desired tail and set it aside. Then, cut your tulle into strips that are approximately 6" wide. You can also use a roll of tulle that is already 6" wide.

Now you're ready to start assembling your bow! Place one end of the tulle along the side of your cardboard and pin the corners down. Gently stretch the tulle until it reaches the line you marked, then fold it back towards the opposite side in an accordion-like pattern, pinning the corners down as you go. Continue this folding process until you have at least five loops on each side. Remember to remove the pins, fold a new piece of tulle, and replace the pins 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. You're now ready to start assembling your bow!

Creating loops

Preparing the Tulle:

Before you begin, decide on the desired size of your bow. For a consistent size, mark the diameter on a piece of cardboard. For example, if you want a 12-inch bow, mark this width on the cardboard. Tulle can be slippery to work with, so it's essential to keep it in place. Pin one end of the tulle to the first mark with two corsage pins. This will be your starting point for creating loops.

Forming the Loops:

Now, it's time to start making the loops. Take the tulle and fold it back and forth like an accordion, creating pleats. Continue this process, removing and repinning each time to secure the layers of tulle. Make sure to add more layers until you have the desired number of loops on each side. It's recommended to have at least five loops on each side for a full and symmetrical bow.

Securing the Centre:

Once you're happy with the number of loops, it's time to secure the centre. Take a length of tulle, about 3 feet long, and slide one end under the pinned layers. Pull both ends upward, right in the centre of the loops, and tie a square knot. This will be the anchor point for your bow. If you want to add more colour or variety, you can include additional lengths of tulle in different colours and tie them into the centre with square knots.

Twisting and Fluffing:

Now, it's time to give your bow some volume and shape. Put your hand inside each loop and pull it outward from the layers. Twist each loop sharply to create a fuller effect. Continue this process until all the loops on both sides have been twisted and fluffed out.

Final Touches:

Your loops are almost ready! To finish, tie the bow over a hanger and hang it on a curtain rod. Do not store your loops in bags or boxes as this can crease and flatten them. The final touch of cutting the bottom sashes to length should be done once the bow is fastened to the pew, ensuring a neat and precise finish.

Securing the bow

Using Wire

Use a 20-gauge wire to secure the bow and streamers. Twist the wire with pliers to ensure it is tightly secured. This method provides a sturdy hold and is ideal if you want to be confident that your bows will stay in place.

Plastic Pew Clips

If you prefer a more discreet option, you can use plastic pew clips to attach your tulle bows. These clips are designed to be attached to the back of the centre knot of your bow. They are a good choice if you don't want any visible wires or ties.

Invisible Tape

For a quick and easy solution, invisible tape can be used to stick the bows onto the pews. This method may not be as secure as wire or clips, but it can be a good option if you are short on time or don't want to leave any marks on the pews.

Crafting Wire

Another option is to use crafting wire to tie around the pew and keep the bow in place. This method is similar to using wire to secure the bow, but it involves tying the wire around the pew itself, providing an extra secure hold.

Stick-On Hooks

Stick-on hooks are a good choice if you want to ensure your bows stay in place. Make sure to use hooks that are specifically designed to be removable and won't damage the furniture.

It's important to consider the weight of your bow and the durability of the adhesive when choosing a method to secure your tulle pew bows. Each option has its own advantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs and the overall theme of your wedding.

Adding decorations

Once you have made your tulle pew bows, you can add decorations to them to match your wedding colours or theme. Tulle is available in a wide variety of colours, so you can easily customise your bows.

You can add flowers, ribbons, bows, or feathers to the centre of your tulle bow. Attach your chosen decorations using thin wire or a dab of glue. You can also add a rhinestone embellishment to the centre of the bow for extra glamour.

If you would like to add colour to your tails, or have more white tails, you can do so by adding more lengths of tulle to the centre of the bow, tying each new tail into a square knot.

If you want to hang your bows from pews, chairs, or benches, you can purchase pew clips or use a piece of wire or pipe cleaner attached to the back of the centre knot.

Frequently asked questions