Creating Wedding Pew Bows: A Step-By-Step Guide For Brides

Pew bows are a decorative touch often used at weddings, adding glamour and elegance to the ceremony. They are usually placed on the side of the pews in the church, facing the aisle where the bride walks, but can also be used in non-traditional weddings. Making your own pew bows is a great way to save money on decorations, and they are easier to make than you might think. All you need are the proper tools and the right instructions. This involves gathering the right materials, such as ribbon, scissors, tape, wire, and sometimes flowers, and following a simple loop-making process. With some creativity and attention to detail, you can create beautiful, handmade pew bows that add a unique and memorable touch to your special day.

Making a Traditional Pew Bow

Pew bows are a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding ceremony. They are symbolic of wedding ceremonies and can be used in both traditional and non-traditional weddings. You can make them on the day of the wedding or a few days before. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a traditional pew bow:

Gather Your Materials:

You will need a roll of ribbon that is approximately six inches thick, some scissors, and invisible tape or crafting wire. The ribbon can be shimmering sheer or wired, depending on your preference.

Make the First Loop:

Take three yards of your ribbon and create a loop by holding one end steady and folding the ribbon over itself. Hold the loop steady with your index finger and thumb.

Create the Next Loop:

The next loop should be at an angle to the first loop, not lined up on top of it. Twist the remaining ribbon to the right and fold another loop, ensuring it is the same size as the first. Hold this second loop with your index finger and thumb.

Make the Remaining Loops:

Continue making loops by twisting the ribbon back and forth to the right and left while holding the centre of each loop. Make about 12 loops in total.

Secure the Centre:

Hold the 12 loops steady with one hand in the centre. Take another strip of ribbon, about 12 inches long, and wrap it around the middle of the bow where all the loops meet.

Tie the Bow:

Tie a knot or bow tightly in the middle of the pew bow. Allow the remaining ribbon to fall down the centre of the bow.

Optional Details:

You can add some extra detail to the bow by folding the end of each loop in half vertically and cutting a 3-inch line in the middle. When you unfold the bow, you will notice an added design on the ends.

Adjust the Loops:

Improve the look of the loops by pulling on them and fanning them out. Pull some forward and some backward to give the bow more dimension.

Attach the Bow:

Use invisible tape to stick the pew bows onto the pews, or use crafting wire to tie them securely in place.

Tips:

Before you start making your pew bows, it is important to count the number of pews at your venue so you can plan for the materials you will need. Most pews have a place to loop the ribbon, so be sure to measure this area when determining the size of your loops.

Making a Tulle Pew Bow

Pew bows are a decorative touch often used in weddings, adding glamour to the ceremony. They are usually made with ribbon, tulle, or both, and can be embellished with fresh or artificial flowers. Tulle pew bows can be made by following these steps:

Firstly, gather your materials: wired ribbon, tulle, scissors, and twist ties. Cut two to three feet of both the wired ribbon and the tulle for the bow tails. You can make the wired ribbon bow loops by following the traditional loop-making process. Make 8 to 12 loops, holding the bow in the centre and ensuring the loops are of similar length. Secure the ribbon bow with a twist tie around its centre.

Next, attach the tail by folding the length of ribbon in half and placing it against the centre of the bow. Undo and redo the twist tie with the tail attached. Repeat this process with the tulle, making the loops slightly larger than those of the wired ribbon bow. Secure the tulle bow with another twist tie, then attach the tail in the same way as before.

Finally, place the wired ribbon bow on top of the tulle bow and tie the two twist ties together to unite the bows. You can use a 20-gauge wire to further secure your bow and add optional streamers.

How to Make Pew Bows with Flowers

Pew bows are a decorative touch often used in wedding ceremonies, adding a glamorous and festive feel to the venue. They are usually placed on the side of the pews in a church, facing the aisle where the bride walks. However, they can also be used in non-traditional weddings outside of a church setting. You can make pew bows on the day of the wedding or a few days before. All you need are the right tools and instructions.

Traditional Pew Bow

Materials:

• Ribbon (six inches thick)
• Scissors
• Invisible tape or crafting wire

Steps:

• Make the first loop: Take three yards of ribbon and create a loop by folding the ribbon over itself. Hold the loop steady with your thumb and index finger.
• Create the second loop: Twist the ribbon to the right and make another loop at an angle to the first, ensuring they are the same size and their centers line up.
• Make the remaining loops: Continue making loops by twisting the ribbon back and forth, holding the center of each loop. Make about 12 loops.
• Secure the loops: Hold the loops steady with one hand and wrap a 12-inch strip of ribbon (shimmering sheer or wired) around their center.
• Tie the bow: Tie a knot or bow tightly in the middle, allowing the remaining ribbon to fall down the center.
• Optional detail: Fold each loop in half vertically, cut a 3-inch line in the middle, and unfold to create a decorative detail.
• Adjust the loops: Pull and fan out the loops, bringing some forward and some backward to add dimension.
• Attach the bow: Use invisible tape or crafting wire to secure the bow to the pew.

Tulle Pew Bow

Materials:

• Wired ribbon
• Tulle
• Scissors
• Twist ties

Steps:

• Cut the tails: Cut two to three feet of wired ribbon and tulle for the bow tails.
• Make the wired ribbon loops: Create 8 to 12 loops, holding the center of the bow as you go, and keeping the loops the same length.
• Tie the ribbon bow: Secure the wired ribbon bow with a twist tie.
• Attach the ribbon tail: Fold the ribbon tail in half and place it against the center of the bow. Redo the twist tie with the tail attached.
• Make the tulle loops: Create 8 to 12 larger loops with the tulle, following the same process as the wired ribbon loops.
• Tie the tulle bow: Secure the tulle bow with a twist tie.
• Attach the tulle tail: As with the ribbon tail, attach the folded tulle tail to the center of the bow with a twist tie.
• Combine the bows: Place the wired ribbon bow on top of the tulle bow and tie the two twist ties together.

How to Calculate Ribbon Length

To calculate the ribbon length for your pew bows, you'll need to consider the size of the bow you want to make and the type of ribbon you are using. A good rule of thumb is to use four yards of ribbon for the bow and an additional piece of ribbon that is long enough to fit around your pew and tie a simple knot.

If you want a small bow, you may only need one yard of ribbon, while a larger bow can require up to six yards of ribbon. The type of ribbon you use will also impact the length you need. For example, if you're using a lightweight ribbon such as satin or organza, you will require more ribbon to create a full and fluffy bow. On the other hand, a heavier ribbon like grosgrain will need less ribbon.

To determine the perfect amount of ribbon, it is recommended to start with a small bow and adjust as needed. Begin by making a bow with one yard of ribbon. If the bow is too small, gradually add another half yard of ribbon until you achieve the desired size. Conversely, if the bow is too big, subtract half a yard of ribbon until you get the right size.

By following these guidelines and experimenting with different lengths, you will be able to calculate the ideal ribbon length for your pew bows, ensuring a beautiful and elegant addition to your wedding ceremony.

Attaching the Bow

Now that you have made your bow, it's time to attach it to the pew. There are several ways to do this.

Firstly, you can use invisible tape to stick the bow onto the pew. This is a quick and easy method, but it may not be suitable if you are worried about the tape being visible or pulling off the finish of the pew.

Another option is to use crafting wire to tie the bow around the pew. This is a more secure method and can be done neatly so that the wire is not visible. Simply cut a piece of wire, thread it through the back of the bow, and twist the ends together to secure it to the pew.

If you are attaching the bow to a chair, you can use a piece of ribbon to tie the bow to the chair. This can be done by looping the ribbon around the chair back and tying the ends together in a bow.

For a more permanent option, you can use hot glue to attach the bow. This method will create a strong bond, but it may damage the surface of the pew, and the bow will be difficult to remove.

Finally, if you are attaching the bow to a fabric surface, such as a tablecloth, you can use safety pins. This method is quick and easy, and it will not damage the fabric. Simply pin the bow to the fabric, and then adjust the pins as needed to secure it in place.

Frequently asked questions