How to Make a Bow Garland Using Fabric Scraps -

A cozy, vintage-style living room with a white brick fireplace decorated with candles, flower garlands, and plants. A vase of tulips sits on a coffee table with books and lit candles. A cottage painting hangs above the mantel.

Bows have become a huge element of decorating recently and I absolutely love this trend. From gift wrapping to home styling, bows are popping up everywhere and they instantly add a soft and charming touch to any space. I usually add a bow here and there in my decorating with ribbon, but this time I decided to take a different approach and create a full Bow Garland!

A mantel decorated with white vases holding tulips, brass and white candlesticks with lit candles, and a garland of large fabric bows in floral and striped patterns against a white brick wall.

If you have followed along for a while, you may know that I used to sell handmade pillow covers in my Etsy shop. Over the years I collected so many beautiful fabrics and even though I no longer sew pillows as a business, my love of gorgeous textiles is still alive and well. I have a large stash of fabric remnants that are simply too pretty to throw away, so I am always looking for creative ways to use them in new projects.

I was especially inspired by my friend Elizabeth at The Country Peony who created a beautiful bow garland using satin bows. Ever since I saw it, I knew I wanted to try my own version. Instead of ribbon, I decided to make a DIY bow garland using fabric scraps. The result is a soft, romantic garland that feels both handmade and timeless.

A rustic mantel decorated with a wicker basket of green plants, white vases with tulips, brass candlesticks, and a garland of floral and gingham fabric bows against a white brick wall.

Today I am sharing exactly how I created this easy Bow Garland using scrap fabric and just a few simple craft supplies. This project is perfect if you love decorating with fabric and want to create something beautiful for your mantel, a party, or even seasonal holiday decor.

Why You Will Love This Bow Garland

Simple – One of the best things about this diy bow garland is how simple it is to make. You do not need sewing skills, complicated tools, or expensive supplies. With just fabric scraps, scissors, and a glue gun, you can create a charming garland in less than an hour.
Customizable – Another reason this project is so fun is how customizable it is! You can choose fabrics that match your home decor, create different bow sizes, or adjust the desired length depending on where you want to display it.
Adaptable – A bow garland is also incredibly versatile. It works beautifully for everyday decor on a mantel or shelf, but it can also be adapted for special occasions. Think soft pink fabric for Valentine’s Day, pastel florals for spring, or velvet and plaid fabrics for the Christmas season. With the right fabric choices, this simple craft can become a lovely part of your holiday decor.
Low or No Cost – Instead of purchasing new ribbon or decor, you can repurpose leftover fabric from past sewing projects and give those beautiful materials new life. It is a wonderful way to reduce waste while creating something charming and handmade!

A selection of floral and patterned fabric pieces, a red and black tape measure, gold-handled scissors, and a spool of white string arranged on a white surface.

Supplies

Fabric scraps
Tape Measure
Scissors
Glue gun and glue sticks
Twine or ribbon optional

Shop for supplies

Cut-out shapes of rabbits and an egg, made from floral-patterned and plain white fabric, are arranged on a light, textured surface. The designs give a spring or Easter-themed craft vibe.

No-Sew Rabbit Appliqué Pillow Cover

The fabric scraps used here were left from my No Sew Rabbit Appliqué Pillow Cover project. Be sure to check out that project too!

Learn More

A white sofa with pillows in green gingham, beige, and embroidered floral patterns, draped with a dark green blanket, sits in a bright, airy living room with plants and large windows in the background.

Step By Step Instructions

01

Cut the Fabric

Start by cutting your fabric strips. Based on the size of the fabric scraps I had available, I cut my strips into pieces measuring 4 inches wide x 44 inches long.

If your scraps are smaller, you can absolutely make shorter strips. The size of your strips will simply affect the size of the finished bow loops and tail.

A person measures a piece of white fabric with small red flowers using a tape measure. Gold-handled scissors rest on the fabric beside their hands.

Hands measuring floral fabric with a tape measure next to gold scissors on a white surface. The fabric is cream-colored with small red flowers and green leaves.

A hand holds floral fabric while cutting it with scissors along a taped measurement line; a tape measure and red floral print fabric are visible on a white surface.

Tip:

Make a small cut with your scissors at the edge of the fabric and then gently rip the rest of the strip by hand. Many fabrics tear beautifully along the grain and create soft, slightly frayed edges that look charming in handmade projects.

02

Tie the Fabric into Bows

Once your fabric strips are ready, begin tying them into bows.

Form the fabric into traditional bow loops and tie the center snugly. Because fabric is thicker than ribbon, the bows will have a slightly fuller look which adds wonderful texture to the garland.

Two hands hold a large, white fabric bow with a red and pink floral pattern, positioned on a light marble surface.

For a finished look, fold the tails in half with the backside of the fabric facing together and cut upward at an angle to form a classic bow tail.

A hand uses gold scissors to trim the end of a large bow made from white fabric with a pink floral pattern, placed on a light-colored marble surface.

For my mantel, I created nine bows. However, the number of bows you will need will depend on your desired length and how large you make each bow. Smaller bows may require a greater number of bows, while larger bows will fill the space more quickly.

A close-up of several decorative fabric bows featuring various floral, toile, striped, and gingham patterns in pastel shades of red, green, and beige, arranged in a soft, overlapping manner.

03

Glue the Bows Together

Once all of the bows are made, it is time to assemble your Bow Garland.

Lay the finished bows out in a row to get a visual idea of how the garland will look once assembled.

Place two bows side by side and apply a small amount of hot glue where the bow loops touch. Press the bows together until the glue sets. Continue adding bows one at a time until you reach the desired length of your garland.

This method allows the bows to naturally drape together and creates a soft flowing look.

A hand holds a striped fabric bow next to another bow made of white fabric with a green floral pattern, both on a light marble surface.

A close-up of a person using a hot glue gun to attach two pieces of patterned fabric together, one striped and one with a green toile design.

Two hands tying together two pieces of fabric, one with green floral patterns and the other with beige stripes, on a light-colored surface.

Handy tip: Extra Stability

If you want to reinforce the garland, you can glue the backs of the bows onto a piece of twine or ribbon. This creates additional support and can make the garland easier to hang.

04

Hang and Enjoy Your Garland

Once the glue has fully set, your diy bow garland is ready to display.

I hung mine across my mantel and loved how the mix of fabrics added texture and charm to the space. Because I used leftover spring fabrics, the garland feels light and airy. However, the same technique would work beautifully with seasonal fabrics for many different occasions.

A mantel decorated with assorted white vases, a wicker basket with greenery, a gold rabbit figurine, and a garland of bows in various patterns, including stripes, florals, and checks, against a white brick background.

This Bow Garland would be perfect for a baby shower, bridal shower, birthday party, or even a child’s bedroom. With festive fabrics it could also become a lovely addition to your Christmas season decorating.

Tips

Choose a mix of fabrics to create depth and visual interest. Florals, solids, and subtle textures work beautifully together.
If your fabric is soft and slippery satin or silk, a small dot of hot glue in the center knot can help hold the bow shape in place.
Experiment with different bow sizes depending on your space. Larger bows create a dramatic look while smaller bows feel delicate and sweet.
Lay out your bows before gluing them together to make sure you like the color placement and spacing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many bows do I need for a bow garland?
The number of bows depends on the desired length of your garland and the size of each bow. For my mantel I used nine bows, but longer spaces may require twelve or more.

What fabrics work best for a DIY bow garland?
Most medium weight fabrics work well including quilting cotton, linen, or lightweight upholstery fabrics.

Can I make this garland for holiday decor?
Yes! This Bow Garland can easily be customized for the Christmas season, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or other celebrations simply by choosing fabrics that match the theme.

Do I have to use hot glue?
Hot glue is the quickest way to assemble the garland, but fabric glue can also be used if you prefer. Just allow extra drying time before hanging.

A cozy, vintage-style living room with a white brick fireplace decorated with greenery, candles, and floral garland. A vase of pink tulips, stacked books, and a candle arrangement sit on a wooden coffee table.

Creating this Bow Garland was such a fun way to use up leftover fabric while making something beautiful for my home. I love when simple materials turn into something that feels special and handmade.

If you try this project, I would love to see how your DIY bow garland turns out! Leave a comment below or tag me on social media at @returninggrace so I can see your beautiful creations. Your projects always inspire me and I love sharing them with this wonderful creative community.

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie

Meet Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie—a lifelong creative, homebody at heart, and the hands behind Returning Grace. I believe home should feel like your favorite place, and I’m passionate about helping you create spaces filled with warmth, character, and charm. From simple DIYs and seasonal crafts to cozy recipes and vintage-inspired decor, I share approachable ideas to make your home feel beautifully lived in. I love thrifting, styling old finds in fresh ways, and documenting our home remodeling adventures along the way.
 
I’m honored to have served as the 2024 American Farmhouse Style Brand Ambassador and to share my love for cottage farmhouse living with a community that values creativity, comfort, and meaningful design.

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