Here is a little tutorial to show how I made the bow belt I
wore in the new Color Me Retro video. I think that it is just
adorable and I am so excited to be sharing this with you. They are simple
enough for new sewers to try and easy for experienced sewers to whip up. Either way they have a great
wardrobe impact. It’s a great way to transform an outfit and a great way to use
up scraps of leftover fabric.  Bows are
right on trend in fashion right now but being a retro girl I never need an
excuse to add a bow. 

For the belt you will need three pieces of fabric: I cut
mine on grain to save fabric but if you have a piece of bias fabric it would
give you a little bit of stretch in your belt.

You will need enough fabric to make 3 rectangles

Fusible interfacing 2” x your waist measurement + 5”

2 hooks

4 eyes

Thread to match fabric

Sewing machine or hand needle

Small amount of ribbon for turning

The belt main piece is 5” wide and your waist measurement + 5”

(I measured myself over a thin shirt since I know I was
going to offer two size options.)

The bow rectangle is 6” x 12”.

The knot rectangle is 3” x 3”.

Iron all pieces.

Iron the 2” piece of interface belt down the middle of the
wrong side of fabric of the longest rectangle this will give your belt some
stability.

Fold your belt in half the long way and sew lengthwise along
the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the begining and end of your belt.

Press the seam open.

If you are comfortable turning the
tube right side out you can use the turning method you are comfortable with.
The turning method I used is great for beginners.

Thread a ribbon the length of your
tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.

Tack the thread down with a line
of large stitches.

Pull the tail of ribbon you left
and the tube will begin to turn on itself.

Keep pulling until entire tube is
right side out.

Snip threads used to hold ribbon.

Press once right side is out.

To sew the bow fold in half so the
two shortest sides meet with right sides together.

Sew lengthwise along the edge with
a 1/2” seam allowance leaving a 2” space in the stitching for turning. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each section.

Press seam open. Move seam to the
middle and iron flat.

Sew both ends with 1/2” seam
allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Use the 2” opening to turn right
sides out.

Poke corners carefully with scissors
to make sharp corners and press.

Fold knot for bow in half the long
way and sew lengthwise along the long seam with 1/2” seam allowance.

Press seam open. Move seam to the
middle and iron flat.

To turn knot thread a
ribbon the length of your tube with enough of a tail for you to be able to pull.

Tack the thread down with a line
of large stitches.

Pull the tail of ribbon you left
and the tube will begin to turn on itself.

Keep pulling until entire tube is
right side out.

Snip threads used to hold ribbon.

Press once right side is out.

Fold knot in half with seam on
outside and sew down raw edge with ¼” seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end. 

Press seam open.

Turn right
side out.

Pinch or pleat bow and slide knot
into center.

Straighten and fluff your bow how
you like it.

Hand tack knot to bow and bow to
belt in place as you like it so it won’t move.

Sew hooks in place (two rows of
eyes allow for wardrobe changes).

Et Voila! Hook it around your favorite dress or shirt to add instant retro style!