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You Can Sew a Bow!

I think there is universal agreement that small ones in formal wear are pretty much the cutest things ever. Weddings, birthdays and holidays are all great excuses to slap a bow on a baby and just wait for the ensuing, “Awwwww‘s.” With Easter right around the corner, why not sew a bow yourself this year? Just be warned—once you start, it’s hard to stop making these adorable outfit accessories!

How to Make a Bow Tie

The key component of this DIY is a standard men’s necktie. Buy it new, raid dad’s closet or pick up a gently used one. Thrift store ties are a great way to get 100% silk at a fraction of the cost.

Materials: men’s necktie, seam ripper, iron, ruler, fabric scissors, coordinating thread, sewing machine, needle

DIY Bow Tie or Hair Bow

Start by using a seam ripper or sharp pair of scissors to completely disassemble the tie. Discard extra facings, tags and threads, but keep the interlining (white in this photo). Iron the patterned tie fabric to remove any creases.

How to Sew a Bow

Out of the patterned fabric, you will cut two pieces: the BOW BODY (7.5″ x 5″) and the CENTER LOOP (6″ x 2″). Cut a FILLER piece out of the interlining that measures 3″ x 2″.

How to Sew a Bow

Start with the bow body rectangle. Fold it in half lengthwise (right sides together) and sew down the long side. All seam allowances in this tutorial are 1/4″.

How to Sew a Bow

Turn the bow body right side out and tuck the filler piece inside the tube until centered.

How to Sew a Bow

How to Sew a Bow

Fold the bow body tube in half the other way (right sides together), and sew the short ends together.

How to Sew a Bow

Flip the new seam to the inside and you should have a tube that looks like this.

How to Sew a Bow

Crease the middle of the bow body in an “M” shape to create the classic bow tie look.

How to Sew a Bow

Secure the front of the fold by hand stitching the crease together.

How to Sew a Bow

Then do the same in the back.

How to Sew a Bow

Next, fold the center loop fabric in half lengthwise and sew down the long side.

How to Sew a Bow

Wrap this around the bow body at the center. Pin where you need to sew it together in order to create a loop for the middle of the bow tie. Slide the bow body out.

How to Sew a Bow

With the wrong sides out, sew the loop where you marked it and cut off the excess.

How to Sew a Bow

Flip the center loop right side out.

How to Sew a Bow

Gently slide the loop over the bow body until it’s in the middle.

How to Sew a Bow

Secure the center loop to the bow body with a couple of hand stitches on the back corners.

How to Sew a Bow

Lastly, insert a 45mm metal alligator clip through the back of the loop to get your bow ready to wear.

How to Sew a Bow

When attaching the bow to a button-up shirt, slide the clip through the top buttonhole and not inside the shirt. This will prevent the metal clip from poking your child’s neck.

DIY Bow Tie

Bow tie swagger…

How to Make a Bow Tie Tutorial

…or hair bow beautiful. An interchangeable accessory perfect for all those bow-worthy outfits!

How to Make a Hair Bow

sewing bows | Grey House Harbor

Tuesday 1st of March 2016

[…] few weeks away – what a great excuse to sew a few handmade bows. Check out my Project Nursery post on how to turn a thrifted men’s necktie into an adorable clip-on bow for boys’ shirts […]