DIY Bow Tie

If I can make the title of a blog post rhyme, it's been a good day.

So, my sister called me.  And she needed something.  This is not a surprise, since she calls me whenever she needs anything.  And I always rush to help.  Because I have no life.  This time was no different:  she needed me to make a bow tie.

Now, during the course of this project (which was really simple, by the way), I realized the difference between crafters and non-crafters.  Crafters are fearless.  When my sister called me and asked, "can you make a bow tie for me?" I automatically said yes.  I've never made a bow tie before... this could have been a ridiculously involved process that was way above my head, but I didn't hesitate to do it.  Crafters are like that... we fear no project, even if we'd never done it before.

I found a pattern from a blog called Life and Art with Glamma Fabulous.  It was super-simple... I changed the way it attached in the back, but the rest of the pattern was followed perfectly.

For this bow tie, I used fabric and velcro.  The pattern called for an elastic strap, but this particular bow tie was for a school presentation for my nephew.  I didn't see the need to run into town for an elastic strap when he'll be wearing this thing less than ten minutes.

I cut the following out of the fabric:

2 - 5"x7.5" pieces (the bow)

1 - 3"x10" piece (the strap)

1 - 2"x4" piece (the middle bow piece)

Take the 5"x7.5" pieces and iron 'em.

Fold them in half lengthwise, right side together.  Stitch 1/2" seam along the cut edge.

Iron the seam open.

Sew a 1/2" seam to one end of each one.

Turn them right side out and iron them flat.

Lay the two pieces together, seam sides out, matching the closed ends together.  Sew 2 1/2" from the closed edge.  I used white thread because you don't see these stitches and I wanted you guys to see it easier.  I'm always thinking of you.

Fold the bow, seam side down, by bringing the cut edges to the center and pin.  Stitch a seam in the cut edge.  I folded the little corners down so it looked a bit better.

Unfold the bow and gather it in the middle.  Use a basting stitch to bunch the middle together.  I wrapped the thread around it too, just to be safe.

Take the 2"x4" piece and sew it together, right sides together, with a 1/2" seam down the long edge.  Turn it right side out and wrap it around the bow, pinning it in place.

Stitch this in the back, by hand.

A bow tie!  Take the long strips that are left and sew them, right sides together, just like we did with the other pieces.  Iron the seam flat again.

Turn it right side out and fold an edge.  Sew it to the back side of the bow tie.

Add velcro to the ends of the strap...

And place it on whatever child is sitting still.  Watch as he struts around and calls himself 'bow-tie man'.

 Yes, there are Oreo crumbs around his mouth.  My children enjoy a good cookie.  He also has marker on his face.  These are the signs of a seven-year old.



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