Transform your Tui Pinafore with this great bow and loop hack.
Thank you to Susana Helle for creating this tutorial for our Below The Kōwhai community.
To see more of Susana’s beautiful sewing you can follow her at @millyandlulukids
Use this step by step tutorial to create a bow and loop back on your Tui Pinafore, instead of the standard strap option. This adds a lovely finish to your garment and allows this gorgeous pinafore to ‘grow’ with the child, which means longer wear!
Step 1: Gather your supplies and extending the strap length
Making the straps so that they tie at the back means that they will be longer than the original straps. Therefore, you will need more fabric than that specified in the fabric requirement table on your Tui Pinafore tutorial. To get an idea I usually cut the straps as per the pattern and then add an extra 25.5cm (10”) to the length of the original straps. Interfacing is not required for these straps as there won’t be any buttonholes.
Construct the front bodice as per the Tui Pinafore tutorial.
Step 2: Preparing the back waistband
To cut the back waistband, fold the pattern piece in half lengthwise. Lay it on your fabric on the fold as per the Tui Pinafore original tutorial. Add 10mm (3/8”) seam allowance to the width of the pattern piece. Cut X2 on the fold.
Step 3: Preparing the loops
You will need to cut 2 X loops measuring 5cm (2’) X 11.5cm (4.5”) each.
Fold the loop in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press to create a memory crease. Unfold.
Fold the long outside edge towards the middle crease, wrong sides together. Press.
Fold the loop in half again. Press. Topstitch along the long edge with a 3mm (1/8”) seam allowance, to close the loop.
Bring the raw edges together to form a “U” shape. Press well. Repeat for the other loop.
Step 4: Attaching the loops to the waistband
Locate the strap placement marks on the back waistband previously transferred from the pattern piece. Centre the loop on the strap placement mark and place along the raw edge of the back waistband. Baste in place.
Be mindful if you have directional fabric that you have the grainline the right way.
Repeat for the other loop.
Lay your other back waistband piece on top of the back waistband with the loops, right sides together. The loops will sit sandwiched in between. Pin to secure. Sew using a 10mm (3/8”) seam allowance.
Turn the back waistband right sides out. Press well.
Continue to attach the front waistband as you normally would with the original Tui Pinafore tutorial.
Step 5: Finishing touches
Complete attaching the skirt as per the Tui Pinafore tutorial.
Tie the straps by placing the right strap through the left loop, and the left strap through the right loop. Tie in a pretty bow.
Congratulations!! You have finished a beautiful garment.
Now, stand back and admire your beautiful Tui Pinafore with ties and bow!
Pictured: Ruffle strap hack with bow and loop hack on our Tui Pinafore sewing pattern.
Thanks for the Tui Pinafore bow and loop hack tutorial Susana! We love your adorable Tui Pinafore and can’t wait to try our own bows!
Show us your Tui Pinafore’s with bows in our VIP Community on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!
Love and happy sewing,
Sophie x