How to sew a bow tie
These dapper bow tie patterns are perfect for a special occasion – and could make a treasured gift for a loved one. Find out how to sew a bow tie step by step with our helpful sewing tutorial
Published:
Everyone deserves to look and feel their best and there’s no better way to do that than with a bow tie! Simply Sewing and Mollie Makes have joined together to bring you two charming bow tie patterns. They’d both make an excellent gift for a friend or a family member and you could even add velcro or poppers to make a scaled-down version for a younger child. Whether you like jazzy stripes or a more paired back bow tie, our how to sew a bow tie is the one for you.
Scroll down to learn how to make a bow tie with our two easy sewing tutorial. If you’re new to sewing make sure you check out our sewing for beginners guide and our best sewing machines for beginners to get to grips with all the basics.
Fabric for the first pattern
Petits Strokes, Midnight. Ref: AGFLEP811. From the Les Petits collection by Amy Sinibaldi.
Notes
Use a 1cm (3⁄8in) seam allowance.
You Will Need
- Main fabric (55x22cm (22x9in))
- Adjustable bow tie hardware clips (15mm (3/4in)), hook, eye and slider
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit
Total time:
Cutting out
Step 1
Cut out the following pieces of fabric:
- Bow: 13x35cm (51⁄4 x 133⁄4in).
- Central tie: 6x7cm (23⁄8 x 23⁄4in).
- Neck strap: 5x55cm (2 x 217⁄8in).
Making the bow
Step 1
Fold the bow piece of fabric in half lengthways with right sides (RS) together.
Step 2
Sew together all the way around, but leave a gap in the middle of the long edge for turning later.
Step 3
Trim the seams, clip the corners and turn RS out.
Step 4
Slip stitch the turning gap closed.
Step 5
Fold the bow in half so the short ends meet and draw a line 5.5cm (21⁄4in) from the open ends. Pin together and then sew along the line as shown.
Step 6
Press the sewn line open and stitch through the seam and the fabric layers to create a bow shape.
Attaching the central tie
Step 1
Fold the central tie piece in half with RS facing so the short edges meet.
Step 2
Sew together along one short edge and then along the long edge.
Step 3
Trim the seams, clip the corners then turn RS out and press.
Step 4
Pinch the centre of the bow into a crease and wrap the central tie around it, making sure that the folded part of the bow is lying at the front.
Step 5
Sew the tie closed at the back by hand. Make sure you don’t sew through to the bow itself as this needs to be free so that the neck strap can be threaded behind it later.
Adding the neck strap
Step 1
Fold the neck strap in half lengthways with wrong sides (WS) facing and sew together along one short edge and down the long edge.
Step 2
Trim the seams, clip the corners then turn RS out and press.
Step 3
Thread the strap through the central tie at the back of the bow.
Step 4
Feed the sewn neck strap end through the metal eye, fold it over and sew it securely in place.
Step 5
Thread the slider onto the other raw end of the neckstrap.
Step 6
Feed the neckstrap through the hook and back through the centre of the slider in the other direction.
Step 7
Fold the raw end under and sew it down to finish.
Your second free bow tie pattern
Step 1
A Father’s Day gift for the perfect gentleman. Shauna and Stephen, the duo behind Forage, show us how to sew a bow tie for Father’s Day.
You’ll need…
- Fabric, approx 1m
- Templates
- Fusible interfacing
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Chalk
- Thread & needle
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pins
Note: Avoid thick fabrics or anything with stretch. Cut your pattern on a bias, this gives your bow tie natural stretch. Fusible interfacing will help keep your bow tie’s shape without adding too much bulk. Project by Shauna Alterio & Stephen Loidolt, foragehaberdashery.com for Mollie Makes.
Father’s Day bow tie pattern
Step 2
Print two copies of the template [the pattern includes a seam allowance of 6.4mm (¼”)]. Adjust the overall length so that the distance between the two ‘a’ marks on the bow tie ends equals your neck size. You can use the two strap template pieces marked ‘a’ and ‘cb’ provided, adding a few centimetres (dividing the additional length equally between the straps) if required. Pin the ‘a’ marks of the straps to the ‘a’ marks of the bow tie ends. Trace your pattern on the bias and cut out two bow tie pattern pieces.
Step 3
Iron interfacing on the wrong side of two bow tie ends. Pin the ‘cb’ ends of the straps in place [using a 6.4mm (¼”) seam allowance] and sew. Repeat with second bow tie piece.
Step 4
Now pin both bow tie patterns together, wrong sides facing, and sew in place leaving a gap in the strap to turn.
Step 5
Turn and press. Hand sew the small opening closed using a blind stitch and you’re done!
Step 6
Make a version in Liberty print for yourself too and jump into the dance circle wearing your matching party gear. Oh and you can find more Fathers day crafts here on Gathered!
And you’re done! Two bow tie patterns so you can look dapper every day of the week. Keep your finished bow tie for special occasions or give it as a gift! If you’re more of a knitter then head to our knitted tie pattern or if you’re a crocheter head to our crochet bow tie tutorial.
Authors
Jess is a fabric crafts designer who’s work is regularly published in Simply Sewing and Love Patchwork & Quilting magazines. She shares her work on her website www.jellybgood.com. She specializes in creating easy-to-sew, accessible designs with a fresh modern style, making her projects popular with magazine readers and crafters online alike. She runs her own craft business creating everything from hair slides and brooches to bunting and quilts. She has previously appeared as a guest designer on Sewing Quarter TV and shares her work on Instagram @jessjelllybgood
