Monster Mash Halloween Bow

If you had 5 seconds to name one Halloween song that you love and that you find yourself humming this time of year, which one would it be? Mine, without question, is The Monster Mash! I love that song and find myself skipping along the whole month of October to that tune while it jams out in my mind. So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce this awwwwesome and oh so very spooky Monster Mash Halloween Bow brought to us by the fabulous and brilliant bow maker…Mary from Little Mama Bowtique! Just try not to hum the famous Monster Mash tune while checking out this festive bow…I dare you. Oooooooo! Enjoy!

Hello all!! Mary back from Little Mama Bowtique and SO excited to share my Monster Mash Bow with you! I got a little carried away with this one and spent an entire afternoon on it, but I think it was well worth it. I’m a huge fan of Halloween, my house is decorated in ghosts, spiders, black cats and bats, so my daughter needs to be too! The Ribbon Retreat always has such cute holiday ribbon, and I loved the little monster themed ribbon they had this year, which inspired this bow!

What you need to start: a great selection of ribbon and trims from TRR and some basics like thick thread, a glue gun (excuse my messy one, who has time to clean those?!), scissors, a lighter and fabric starch.

I use cardboard templates, which I have shared in my previous tutorials, but it is simply just cardboard with a cut down the middle. For my top bow I use my 5 inch template. I always choose my favorite ribbon for the top bow and decided to line it as well. So start off with your two ribbons wrong sides together, cut at an angle and heat seal. Place just a tad over the center of your template and wrap around one complete time, and then one second time just bringing it over to the opposite side you started, place a pin in center, cut at an angle and heat seal.

Carefully slide the ribbon off the template and pull up your inner loops and bottom down, forming a butterfly like shape. Stitch down the middle weaving in out and so that you have two visible top stitches, pull and wrap thread around several times to form bow and knot in back.

I repeat this step with a 7 inch template for my base bow. You can chose any ribbon you like pretty much, as it isn’t seen, just to support all these crazy layers.

On to the spike layer, this is where I always end up spending the most time. All those ribbon choices and getting them perfectly laid! I chose a mix of fun green and purples with a couple monstery ribbons.

I cut them 6 inches long, make a “V” cut and heat seal each end. Place a pin upside down and place each center of spike on it. I started with the middle (minus my exact center of little monster print, I put that aside and saved for last), and worked my way to the top spikes. I saved the monster center for last because I wanted the print to be visible.

Stitch down the middle as you did for your bows above, pull tight, and wrap thread around several times. I often struggle with the spikes, as you can see here mine don’t lay right just with arranging and sewing so I add a dab of glue with my glue gun here and there to put them all in their place. At this time you may have to cut a couple “V” ends to even them out as well.

I set my oven to 175 degrees and spray all 3 layers with starch. Place them in the oven until they are dry, I believe mine took around 20 minutes. While they are drying you can work on some of your detailing.

I made surround a bow loops with white sparkle 3/8″ ribbon. You can measure your ribbon for this by using your 5 inch template. Start at the center, cut, and wrap one complete time and then again until your ribbon reaches other side of center. Cut your ribbon and heat seal both ends. Fold ribbon in half, crease, and each half in half again and crease. These will be your markers to help you evenly divide. Fold each quarter into the center, holding with your fingers, once all ribbon ends are in center stitch a couple times to hold.

I also knew I wanted to add some gathered lace detailing, so I cut a strip, took my needle and thread and weaved it in and out, pulled it tight and knotted.

Ok back to those pieces in the oven! Dry and ready for stacking, get your glue gun ready! Start with the base bow (the one you made with your 7 inch template), place some glue in the top center and place bottom center of spike layer down, pressing to secure. Next take that surround a bow layer and attach to the top boutique bow. Take bottom of that and attach to center top of spike layer. Right now your bow should look like this.

Time for the detailing! Take a length of marabou feathers, run your needle and thread through each end to form a circle. Slip this over your bow, and tighten between the layer of surround a bow loop and spikes. Fasten it by looping it through the ends of the marabou a couple times and knot.

Next, I took my purple glitter bows and attached some sequin stars I had on hand to the centers. Attach these to the sides of the bow, by gluing to sides of top bow loops.

Place the gathered lace to the center of bow attaching between base and spike layer, you can place where you like, I chose the upper left quadrant.

To make the bottle cap center you will need a 1 inch hole punch, an epoxy dome sticker, and bottle cap image. I found my image HERE. I also made a little glitter bow with a sequin to attach a Frankenstein Monster so she of course, had a bow too!

Last but not least, take your choice of partially lined clip either alligator or French and attach it to back of your new bow. I used a French Barrett as this bow got heavy and is great for pony tails.

Thank you all for following along with me and have a very Happy Halloween!!

Thank you Mary for these adorable bows! I love the lace, festive ribbon, glitter bows….ok, so I love everything about this fun bow! Holiday bows are some of my favorite and these might just be topping the chart! For more incredibly creative and festive bows by this talented lady, make sure to check her out at Little Mama Bowtique. This lady makes beautiful bows, has some mad sewing skills and is just simply amazing!

Do you also love holiday bows…namely Halloween inspired? Check out these other fun and festive bows full of witches, ghosts, goblins and other Halloween spooooookiness!

Is your Halloween attire all planned? What about your kiddos? Tell us all about those wardrobes!

Happy Creating & Happy Halloween Bows!