I Like Big Bows…Minnie Mouse Bow Tutorial

Remember those awkward middle school dances where hardly anyone danced because they were so afraid to “look dumb”?

I know I spent my fair share of time sitting on the bleachers watching the mirrored ball spin casting it’s light on a sparsely populated dance floor. What was the point? Why didn’t I just take my awkward self out there and dance (even if I danced like Elaine)?

Truth be told, we often make far too much out of trying to look just right when no one really cares if you “look dumb” or not. So, quite a while ago I decided to just live life without the worry of how I looked while doing it.

If wearing big Minnie Mouse Bows in Disney World makes me happy…by golly, I’m going to do it and you should too! My motto has been…embrace it. If you’ve ever gone to see YeeHaw Bob (which you should) he always yells out, “You’re never going to see these people again!”. It’s true. If I do see them again they probably will be thinking, “There’s that woman who looked like she was having the time of her life in that crazy bow!”

The people who look like they are having the most fun, usually are. So, if you find yourself heading to the land of Disney soon, you might want to take your own collection of bows and embrace it. Here’s how you can make your own wardrobe of Minnie Mouse Bows in a “Minnie Mouse Bow Tutorial”.

Here’s what you will need to complete your mission.

Fabric
Headbands (I bought mine at JoAnn’s for $.99
Scissors
Stuffing
Glue
Sewing Machine
Needle and Thread
Pattern (my gift to you…you’re welcome)
Clothespins or a clamp

Start by folding your fabric in half and place the marked portion of the pattern on the fold. You can pin if you want, but I just used a pencil to trace it on the wrong side of the fabric and cut it out sort of like cutting out hearts.

After cutting out two of them to make each side of the bow, place them right side together.

Now you want to “almost” stitch them together on the sewing machine. Make sure you leave an opening so it can be pulled “right side out” and stuffed. It should end up looking like this.

Pull it through so it is “right side out” and stuff. Make sure to move the stuffing into the corners of the bow. I just used regular batting I had left over from another project.

Once it is sufficiently stuffed, sew the hole up by hand. This part is going to be glued down to the headband and covered with another piece of fabric so you don’t have to hide the stitches or make them perfect.

Then to give it the bow effect a band of fabric will cinch it together in the middle making the bow wing out. To sew the band of fabric just take a 3″ strip of fabric and sew the side together with the fabric right side out. Like this.

To hide the seam, simply press the fabric (I didn’t iron mine) so the seam is running down the back of the piece of fabric. Don’t worry about the ends because they will be cut off anyway.

Now wrap the strip of fabric around the stuffed bow in the middle. Pull it tight to cinch it and use the needle and thread to sew the two ends of the strip of fabric together. Then trim off the excess fabric making sure not to cut through the stitches.

It’s almost done! Now glue the bow to the headband. Spread the glue on the top of the headband (use a good amount but not so much that it drips out). Place the bow on top and find something to clamp it down with to dry. I happened to have this giant clothespin, but actual clamps and a few regular clothespins should do the trick. Let it dry for a few hours and then enjoy!

To download the PDF pattern click this: Minne Mouse Ears Pattern.

I really hope you enjoyed this Minnie Mouse Bow Tutorial! I had so much fun making these for two gals who dance through life having a ball. I’m going to make some Halloween inspired ones for our upcoming trip to Disney. I’ll post some fun pics of them to my Instagram when they are finished.

Have a fantastic day.

Nancy

Minnie Mouse Bow Tutorial