Fabric Bow Sweatshirt Tutorial – Suzy Quilts

A very darling sweatshirt “hack” has been making the rounds on social media, and we’re pulling all the materials and steps together for you in this fabric bow sweatshirt tutorial! We’ll walk you through the steps needed to upgrade any sweatshirt by creating split-hem openings, accented with a large fabric bow.

So grab an old sweatshirt from your closet that needs some love and let’s get started! You can even make your bow scrappy!

The fabrics shown above are for the color blocked version of the fabric bow sweatshirt, which Suzy is wearing at the top of this tutorial. It uses Slub in Wild Rose and Slub in Zinnia from Suzy’s Wildflower Wovens fabric collection. 

Slub in Wild Rose, photo by Lydia Nicholson. 

Slub in Zinnia, photo by Lydia Nicholson.

This is one of those tutorials that encourages you to check what you already have at home. Dig deep into your fabric scrap bin and rifle through your closet for forgotten fleece.

To create the fabric bows, we recommend using cotton fabric, like wovens or quilting cotton. This tutorial uses woven fabric from the new Suzy Quilts Wildflower Wovens collection. The following tutorial images use Slub in Wild Rose. 

The hand, or feel, of this fabric is so soft, which will blend nicely with the materials typically used for sweatshirts (fleece or French Terry). The warp and weft also deliver the yummiest texture. Plus, the tight weave of Wildflower Wovens helps prevent fraying, which is perfect for this tutorial!

Sweatshirts made from cotton, cotton-blend fleece, or French terry will work best for this tutorial since we will be cutting the material and tight knits don’t fray. This tutorial features a crewneck, but hooded sweatshirts can work too!

We recommend checking your closet first! Maybe you have one that needs a little glow-up, or perhaps you’d like to change the bottom hem to a looser fit. You can also check your local thrift store for a sweatshirt, where you’re bound to find a deal.

If you’d like to treat yourself to a comfy new one, check out the cute sweatshirt options available in the Suzy Quilts Merchandise shop on Bonfire!

Check out this video to see how the sweatshirt is made, then keep reading for step-by-step photos!

The steps in this tutorial refer to the fabric in the bows as “ribbon,” which are 1 1/4″ wide. The finished bow dimensions are approximately 5″ wide by 7″ tall.

If you would like to adjust the size of the bow, here are some tips:

• Fabric Ribbon Length: Use regular ribbon to tie a bow to your liking. Align the ends of the bow tails with the bottom edge of the sweatshirt hem, and mark the ribbon where the second tail meets the edge. Untie the ribbon, then measure the length from the cut end to the mark you made. Add about 1/2″ to 1″ for tucking the raw edges of the fabric ribbon under in a later step. This is the length to cut the ribbon.
• Fabric Ribbon Width: Use the equation (Finished Ribbon Width x 2) + 1/2″. Basically, multiply the finished fabric ribbon width by 2, then add 1/2″ for seam allowance. For example, a finished fabric ribbon width of 1″ requires the cut strips to be 2 1/2″ wide, or (1″ x 2) + 1/2″ = 2 1/2″.
• Taller bow/longer tails: This requires a longer or higher side slit on the sides of the sweatshirt.
• Wider bow tails: More fabric will be removed from the sides of the sweatshirt

First you’ll need to decide on the type of hem you want on your fabric bow sweatshirt. For a more finished hem, leave the ribbed hem and only remove the portion between each bow tail.

For the most relaxed fit, cut the ribbed hem off the entire bottom of the sweatshirt and leave the raw edge. If you’re concerned about a raw edge holding up to wash and wear, consider the quality of your sweatshirt’s material — higher quality is less likely to stretch, roll, or fray. I have washed and worn a raw-edge hem version of this bow sweatshirt multiple times without issue!

If you are removing the ribbed hem, use fabric scissors to remove. You can leave the edge raw or finish it as desired (e.g., overcast or zig-zag stitches). 

Next we need to mark how high the split hem will be on each side. This will be where the bottom of the bow knot sits. For the bow measurements in this tutorial, we’ll use a 4” split hem height. 

Lay the sweatshirt flat, right side facing up. Your sweatshirt may have side seams on both sides, one side, or neither. For sides that don’t have a seam, finger press the side to help you visualize where a seam would be. For each side, measure 5” up from the bottom of the sweatshirt hem (either the ribbed hem or unfinished raw hem) and make a mark on the side seam (or creased seam) with a water soluble marker. 

On the bottom of the sweatshirt, mark 2” from each side of the center seam on the bottom. This will be the space between the bow tails (4” wide total).

To make the fabric “ribbon” needed to tie your bows, you will need (2) 3″ x 36″ strips of fabric.

For the first bow, take one 3″ x 36″ strip and fold it half lengthwise with the right side of the fabric together and press.

Sew along the raw edge with a 1/4″ seam. This will create a long fabric tube.

Turn the tube right-side-out using a tube turner. If you don’t have a tube turner, you can use a basting pin! Starting at one of the ends of the tube, attach the pin to one side of the fabric, then thread the pin into the tube.

Work the pin through the tube, gently pulling on the bunched up fabric behind it as you go along. Do this until you work the pin all the way through the tube and the fabric is fully right-side-out. I’ve also seen people make their own tube turners using a chopstick and wide reusable straw!

Once the tube is right-side-out, align the seam to one side of the fabric ribbon and press. To help sturdy the fabric ribbon for sewing, spray it with some Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray or lightly starch.

Repeat to create a second piece of fabric ribbon for the other bow.

TIP: Add some extra pizazz to your fabric bow by creating a scrappy fabric ribbon!

If you would like to create a colorblock style, you can piece two 1 3/4″ x 36″ strips — one in each color. Then cut the strip into pieces, either even sections or of varying lengths. Reconnect the sections together, flipping every other piece to create a colorblocked effect.

You can also create 36″ long strips of pieced scraps for a true scrappy fabric ribbon. This can be a good way to use up scrap fabric! Piece together strips of fabric, then trim your strips to 3″ x 36″ each. 

When tying shoe laces, are you a bunny ears or loop-swoop-and-pull person? You can ultimately tie your bow however you prefer, but we found that the bunny ears method below is easy and creates minimal fabric bulk.

For the first bow, mark the center of one of the fabric ribbon pieces by folding it in half and pinching to create a crease.

Make two evenly sized loops (or “bunny ears”) on either side of the center crease.

Tie an overhand knot with the bunny ears, but don’t tighten the knot all the way. Adjust the bow loops and tails until you’re happy with the shape, then tighten the knot just enough so that it holds its shape (overtightening will create a bulky knot in the center of the bow).

Create a second bow, using the first bow as a reference for size.

Starting with one side of the sweatshirt, turn it so the side seam is facing up. Place one of the fabric bows so that the bottom of the knot is aligned with the mark on the side crease.

Glue baste or pin in place.

Adjust the loops and tails of the bow to lay as you want. You want your bow to be flat, so you will have areas where the fabric ribbon overlaps or touches.

Tuck the unfinished end of each tail into the fabric tube and finger press. The pressed edge of the tail should align with the bottommost edge of the sweatshirt hem.

Use a washable glue stick to secure the bow for sewing, then press with a dry iron to set the bow shape. Side note: I use Elmer’s school glue sticks for sewing because they’re cheap, always easy to find, and the glue washes out!

Sew with an 1/8″ seam allowance around all outside edges of the fabric bow. Make sure to go around the entire perimeter, inside the bow loops, and over the knot. Depending on how thick your knot is, a hump jumper can help you navigate that hump without messing up your stitches.

What is a hump jumper, you ask?

The hump jumper helps level your presser foot before you reach the hump/bulk and as you sew down from the hump. Each end of the tool accommodates a different clearance. It comes with most machines, but you can also buy them anywhere sewing notions are sold.

Repeat with the second bow on the opposite side seam.

If you don’t have a sewing machine, sew the bow to the sweatshirt by hand using a standard needle and thread. You could also try attaching the bow using permanent fabric glue. I have not tested this, so try at your own risk!

Now that the bow is attached to the sweatshirt, remove the triangle-shaped sweatshirt material between the bow tails. Use fabric shears to trim along the inside edge of the bow tails, being careful not to snip your fabric bow.

Repeat for the second bow, then you’re done!

There are so many ways that this fabric bow sweatshirt can be customized! You can use beloved fabric prints, experiment with different substrates, or create scrappy fabric ribbon. We love seeing what you make, so be sure to share your fabric bow sweatshirt and tag us at @suzyquilts on Instagram and use #SuzyQuiltsBlog! Also, let us know in the comments if you knew what a hump jumper was before today!