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Fabric Bow Ideas: 3 Cozy, Rustic Styles for crafting & decorating

Have you ever tried making fabric bows instead of ribbon? These are the kinds of bows that add instant charm to wreaths, baskets, packages, and home décor, and they’re especially satisfying if you love that “perfectly imperfect” handmade look.

This is Part 3 of my Bow Making Made Easy YouTube video series, and after using ribbon in the first two videos, I wanted to show you a few fabric bow methods that are perfect for a primitive, rustic, country, vintage style.

Fabric Bow Ideas from Hammons Nest

In this post (and video), you’ll learn three fabric bow styles:

  • The Pelican – a classic rag-bow style with loops and long tails
  • The Hummingbird – a scrap-friendly bow with playful loops + tails going every which way
  • The Wren – the easiest one of all: simple crisscross scrap strips that make the cutest little bow

This post may contain referral links to products used. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only refer products I use & love

Before You Start: A Quick Note About Fabric Choices

One of the most fun parts of fabric bows is choosing textiles that match the “personality” of your project.

For these bows, I’m using a mix of fabrics like:

  • Primitive homespun / ticking stripe (printed on both sides and tears beautifully)
  • Cotton blends (rip nicely and give that soft rag-bow look)
  • Corduroy (may need to be cut instead of ripped depending on the grain)

If you love the rustic look, you’ll especially enjoy working with fabrics that rip into strips and leave a tattered edge. It adds so much character.

Supplies To Get You Started:

Fabric Bow Ideas from Hammons Nest

So, are you ready? Here are the How-To’s for the three fabric bows…

The Pelican Bow

A full, classic rag bow that looks gorgeous on baskets, wreaths, and decor

TAP HERE for a quick video Pelican Bow How-To

The Pelican is a bigger, statement-style fabric bow. It’s made from long fabric strips that you fold back and forth to create two loops and two tails per strip, then you stack them into a full bow.

What you’ll need

  • About 8 fabric strips, roughly 1 inch wide
  • Each strip about 30 inches long
  • Jute string (or whatever you like for tying)
  • Optional: button, rusty star, jingle bell, or a center embellishment
  • Optional: bow maker / bow holder (helpful, but not required)

How to rip fabric (so satisfying)

If you’re new to ripping fabric, here’s the simple way:

  1. Cut a small slit at the top edge where you want your strip to start.
  2. Grab the fabric firmly and pull — it will rip down the length.
  3. Trim the strip to your desired length (in this case, about 30″).

Perfection isn’t the goal here. Slightly uneven widths actually add to that vintage rag-bow charm.

How to build the Pelican bow

  1. Choose your fabric order. Lay out your strips in the pattern you want (for example: stripe → red → green → corduroy, then repeat).
  2. Build each strip into “loops + tails.” Fold it over and over so you get two loops and two tails, aiming for an overall bow width of about 8 inches.
    • Tip: the wider you build it, the floppier it may get (which can be part of the appeal!).
    • If your fabric is printed on one side, start with the “wrong” side facing you so the pattern shows on the front when folded.
  3. Repeat until all strips are stacked in the bow holder (or pinched in your hand).
  4. Tie tightly in the center with jute. Double knot.
  5. Fluff and straighten. Pull tails down, pull loops out, and make sure the patterns show nicely.
  6. Optional: add a center accent (a button is always a good idea).

This bow is beautiful “as is,” but it’s also lovely with extra-long tails for that classic rag-bow look.

The Hummingbird Bow

The happy, scrappy one — perfect for fabric remnants

TAP HERE for a quick video Hummingbird Bow How-To

Fabric Bow Ideas from Hammons Nest

At first glance, the Hummingbird might look similar to the Pelican, but it’s built differently and it’s ideal for using up leftover pieces. Instead of needing long strips, you can use shorter remnants and still create a bow that looks full and charming.

What you’ll need

  • About 20 pieces of fabric strips
    • (Example formula: 5 patterns, 4 pieces each… or 4 patterns, 5 pieces each—play with it!)
  • Strips about 1 inch wide
  • Bow maker/holder helps here
  • Jute string to tie it off

How it’s built

This style is all about one loop + one tail, and letting them go in different directions.

  1. Lay one strip into the bow maker about halfway.
  2. Pull one side over to create a loop, leaving the other side as a tail.
  3. Alternate your pieces so loops and tails face different directions (up, down, left, right).
  4. Keep going until all 20 pieces are in.

There are no “rules” to get perfect symmetry — that’s what makes the Hummingbird fun. When you tie it off and fluff it, it becomes this full, textured bow that looks good from every angle.

Finish it

  • Slip it out of the bow maker carefully, tie tightly in the center.
  • Fluff and spread pieces outward for a full shape.
  • Trim any strip that feels a little too wild or long.

This one adds instant personality to seasonal decor — and it’s especially cute tied onto baskets or tucked into greenery.

The Wren Bow

The easiest of all — and it will make you think twice about tossing tiny scraps

TAP HERE for a quick video Wren Bow How-To

If you love the idea of never wasting fabric, meet the Wren. This bow is the simplest: it’s made from crisscrossed strips (no loops at all). It’s the kind of bow that makes you look at even tiny scraps and think, “Oh yes… you can become something cute.”

What you’ll need

  • About 18 small fabric strips (great use of leftovers!)
  • Roughly ¾ inch to 1 inch wide
  • Strips around 6–7 inches long (doesn’t have to be exact)
  • Jute string

How to build it

  1. Lay your scraps out in a pattern if you like (it keeps it simple as you go).
  2. Start stacking strips in a crisscross “X” pattern, one by one.
  3. Keep layering until all strips are stacked.
  4. Tie tightly in the center.
  5. Fluff slightly and trim any pieces that stick out too much.

No center embellishment needed (though you can add one). The Wren is cute just as it is, especially on small gift boxes and tiny projects.

A Few Simple Ideas for Using Fabric Bows

These three styles look especially sweet on:

  • Cotton or grapevine wreaths
  • Hanging baskets
  • Gift packages and bakery boxes
  • Cutting boards, crates, and vintage decor
  • Seasonal greenery baskets (Christmas, spring, etc.)
  • A variety of craft projects like signs, charger plates etc.

And the best part? Once you learn the concept of each bow, you can scale it up or down for whatever you’re decorating.

Which One Are You Trying First?

The Pelican, Hummingbird, or Wren?

If you make one, I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell me what colors you used and what you tied it onto. And if you haven’t watched Parts 1 and 2 yet, be sure to check those out too, as those are all ribbon bows and they’re perfect for gifting and wreath-making.

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Fabric Bow Ideas from Hammons Nest

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