Fabric Guide For Wedding Pew Bows

Wedding pew bows are a great way to decorate the seats of the church aisle and can be made with a variety of materials, including ribbon, tulle, wired satin organza ribbon, and silk flowers. They are usually hung on the side of the pews facing the aisle where the bride walks, adding a decorative touch to the ceremony. While some people prefer to use live flowers for the first few rows, pew bows are a more cost-effective option for the remaining rows. These bows can be made ahead of time or on the day of the wedding, and they can also be used to decorate the reception hall or given as mementos to the wedding party.

Wired ribbon for control over the shape and drape of the bow

Wired ribbon is a great option for making wedding pew bows as it gives you more control over the shape and drape of the bow. The wire helps to hold the loops and tails in place, making it easier to create a neat and voluminous bow without complicated tying.

To make a traditional pew bow with wired ribbon, you will need:

• Wired ribbon (approximately 6 inches thick and 3 yards long)
• Scissors
• Invisible tape or crafting wire

Start by making a loop at the end of your ribbon, holding one end steady, and folding the ribbon over itself. Make sure to hold the loop steady with your thumb and index finger. Then, create the next loop by twisting the ribbon to the right and folding it over again to make a loop of the same size as the first. This time, the loop should be at an angle to the first loop, not lined up on top of it. Continue making loops by twisting the ribbon back and forth and holding the centre of each loop as you go. You should end up with around 12 loops.

Next, take another strip of wired ribbon (around 12 inches long) and wrap it around the centre of the bow, where all the loops meet. Tie a knot or bow to secure the loops in place, allowing the remaining ribbon to fall down the middle. You can adjust the loops by pulling on them and fanning them out to give the bow more dimension.

Finally, attach the bow to the pew using invisible tape or crafting wire. If you're using crafting wire, slip it through the back of the tied bow and loosely twist the ends closed. This will allow you to hang or attach the bow to the pew.

If you want to add some extra detail to your bow, you can use scissors to cut a 3-inch line in the middle of each loop. Simply fold the end of each loop in half vertically and cut along the fold line. When you unfold the bow, you'll have added a decorative touch to the ends of the loops.

When making wedding pew bows with wired ribbon, it's important to consider the size of the bow and the length of the ribbon required. For a full bow with long ribbon tails, you'll need approximately 45 inches of ribbon per bow. You can calculate the total amount of ribbon needed by multiplying the number of seats by 45 inches. This will ensure you have enough ribbon to create a beautiful and consistent look for your wedding pews.

Tulle fabric for a traditional bow

Tulle fabric is a great choice for making traditional wedding pew bows. It is lightweight, holds its shape, and comes in a variety of colours, making it a versatile and convenient option for wedding decorations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create elegant and classic wedding pew bows using tulle fabric:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To create a tulle pew bow, you will need the following materials: wired ribbon, tulle fabric, scissors, and twist ties. The wired ribbon will serve as the base for your bow, while the tulle will add volume and elegance.

Step 2: Cut the Bow Tails

Using your scissors, cut both the wired ribbon and the tulle fabric to create tails for your bow. You will need two to three feet in length of each material. Set these pieces aside for now.

Step 3: Create the Wired Ribbon Bow

Take the wired ribbon and follow the traditional bow-making process to create 8 to 12 loops. Hold the centre of the bow firmly while creating each loop, ensuring that they are all roughly the same length. The wired ribbon will help you manipulate and shape the bow with ease.

Step 4: Secure the Wired Ribbon Bow

Take a twist tie and wrap it tightly around the centre of the wired ribbon bow. This will ensure that the bow holds its shape. You can now attach the ribbon tail to the centre of the bow by folding the ribbon in half and redoing the twist tie.

Step 5: Create the Tulle Bow

Using the same technique as before, create 8 to 12 loops with the tulle fabric. Remember to hold the centre firmly and maintain the same loop size. The tulle loops can be slightly larger than the wired ribbon loops to add volume and texture to your final bow.

Step 6: Secure the Tulle Bow

Just like with the wired ribbon, wrap a twist tie around the centre of the tulle bow and twist it tightly to secure the shape. Attach the ribbon tail to the centre of the tulle bow, just as you did with the wired ribbon.

Step 7: Combine the Bows

Place the wired ribbon bow on top of the tulle bow. Combine the two bows by tying their respective twist ties together. Now you have a beautiful, full, and traditional-looking pew bow!

Step 8: Attach to the Pew

You can use invisible tape or crafting wire to attach the bow to the pew. If using tape, simply stick the bow in place. If using crafting wire, tie it around the pew to secure the bow. Ensure you have checked with the venue about any specific requirements or restrictions for decorations.

With these steps, you can create elegant and traditional wedding pew bows using tulle fabric. Tulle is a versatile and convenient material that will add a delicate and festive touch to your wedding ceremony.

Floral tape and wire to attach flowers to the bow

Floral tape and wire are essential for attaching flowers to your wedding pew bow. The floral wire is used to secure the flowers to the centre of the bow, and the floral tape is used to bind the stems of the flowers together.

To attach flowers to your wedding pew bow, start by cutting the stems of your chosen flowers to the desired length. For a classic and elegant look, opt for a single rose or other large bloom, and complement it with baby's breath or other filler flowers or greenery. Once you've trimmed the stems, use floral tape to bind them together securely. This will create a neat and uniform base for attaching your flowers to the bow.

Next, create a loop in your ribbon and tie a simple knot, leaving enough space to attach it to the pew. If you plan to wire the bow to the pew, make a small loop that can be used to string the wire through. Take the floral wire and tightly attach the bound stems to the knot in the ribbon. You can do this by twisting the ends of the wire together or by wrapping the wire around the knot a few times.

Finally, adjust the loops of your ribbon to the desired length and cut the ribbon ends at an angle to give them a polished look. The ends should be just above the floor, adding a graceful touch to your wedding aisle.

Floral tape and wire are versatile tools that can be used to attach fresh or artificial flowers to your wedding pew bows. They provide a secure and discreet way to incorporate flowers into your bow design, enhancing the beauty of your wedding ceremony decor.

Invisible tape or crafting wire to attach the bow to the pew

Once you have made your wedding pew bows, you need to attach them to the pews. There are several ways to do this, including using invisible tape or crafting wire.

Using Invisible Tape

If you are using invisible tape, cut a piece of tape and stick it to the back of the bow. Then, press the bow onto the pew. The tape should be strong enough to hold the bow in place, but it may not be suitable for heavier bows.

Using Crafting Wire

Crafting wire can be used to tie the bow to the pew. Cut a piece of wire and thread it through the back of the bow. Then, twist the ends of the wire together to secure the bow. Alternatively, you can use the wire to hang the bow from the armrest or side of the pew.

Other Methods

There are also other methods to attach pew bows, such as using pew clips or stick-on hooks. These methods may be preferred by churches as they do not damage the pews.

Ribbons with wired edging to make bows with long tails

Wedding pew bows are a lovely way to decorate the seats of the church aisle and can be made with ribbons with wired edging. This type of ribbon allows you to have better control over the shape and drape of the bow. To make bows with long tails, follow these steps:

First, determine how many seats you will be decorating and calculate the amount of ribbon needed. For a full bow with long tails, you will need approximately 45 inches of ribbon per bow. Cut the ribbon into sections accordingly.

To create the loops of the bow, start by holding one end of the ribbon steady and folding the ribbon over itself to create a loop. Make sure to hold the loop steady with your thumb and index finger. Continue making loops by twisting the ribbon to the right and left, ensuring that each loop is the same size and lined up with the center of the previous loop. You can make about 8 to 12 loops, depending on your desired fullness.

Once you have made all the loops, hold them together at the center and wrap a small piece of ribbon or wire around the middle to secure the loops in place. Tie a knot or bow with the ribbon, ensuring it is tight enough to keep the loops steady. You can also use a pipe cleaner or twist tie for this step.

If desired, adjust the loops by pulling on them and fanning them out. You can pull some loops forward and some backward to add dimension. Cut the ribbon tails at an angle or into notches to give them a finished look.

Finally, attach the bow to the pew using invisible tape, crafting wire, or florist wire. If using wire, slip it through the back of the tied bow and twist the ends closed. Alternatively, roll up each ribbon tail and secure it loosely with a rubber band to create nice curls.

With these steps, you can create beautiful wedding pew bows with long tails using ribbons with wired edging.

Frequently asked questions