Clip-on Bow Tie Tutorial

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I love bow ties on little boys.  The nice thing about bow ties is that they are really easy to make.  You pretty much just need to know how to sew in a straight line and fold things in half.  

Cut two rectangles out of your fabric.  One rectangle should be 4.5"x8" and the other should be 1.5"x3"

** The measurements above are for a small bow tie that a baby or toddler would wear.  For a larger sized bow tie, your rectangles should be should be 6"x11" and 2"x4"**

 Take your large rectangle and fold it in half - right sides together.  Sew together with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Flip right-side out and iron (with the seam in the center, rather than on the edge).

Tuck in the edges a little bit (technically you don't need to do this, I just think it looks nicer if you do).

Put right sides together (with the seam showing on the outside) and sew a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Flip right-side out.  Iron with the seam centered - this will be the back of your bow tie.

 You'll now follow the same steps with your small rectangle.  Sew right sides together and do a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Flip inside out - this can be challenging since it's so small, I would recommend using a safety pin to help you out.

Iron the fabric with the seam in the center. 

 Tuck in the edges.

I used scissors to help with this part.  

Then sew the edges together with the seam side facing out - I used an 1/8" seam allowance here.  Once again you'll turn it right-side out.

 Now for getting the bow tie to take shape. To fold it you want to make it like an "m" first with the middle scrunching in and then folding the edges towards the back again.

 To keep it in place, you have the choice to either hand sew it with a needle and thread or you can use hot glue.  Honestly hot glue is the easiest since there are so many layers to go through with the needle.

  Go back to the small circle (the middle piece) and use a seam ripper to tear a little hole.

Want to know the secret behind the clip-on part?  It's a clip used for clip-on earrings. I found a pack of 12 for $3 (but then also used my 40% coupon so it was an even better deal) Hobby Lobby.  I'm sure you could similar ones at other craft stores.

Push the clip through the hole.  If you want to put something on your open seam to keep it from fraying, you can use fabric glue or clear fingernail polish.

Secure the metal circle part to the fabric using hot glue.

 Thread the large tie part through your middle circle and secure the metal circle to the tie once again using hot glue.  

 You're done!!!

 Now go make lots!

**I've had a few people ask me if the clip bothers the person wearing the tie.  My son isn't old enough to tell me it's bothering him, but he doesn't seem to notice.  If you want to cover the clip, I would recommend a small piece of felt.**

I love bow ties on little boys.  The nice thing about bow ties is that they are really easy to make.  You pretty much just need to know how to sew in a straight line and fold things in half.  

Cut two rectangles out of your fabric.  One rectangle should be 4.5"x8" and the other should be 1.5"x3"

** The measurements above are for a small bow tie that a baby or toddler would wear.  For a larger sized bow tie, your rectangles should be should be 6"x11" and 2"x4"**

 Take your large rectangle and fold it in half - right sides together.  Sew together with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Flip right-side out and iron (with the seam in the center, rather than on the edge).

Tuck in the edges a little bit (technically you don't need to do this, I just think it looks nicer if you do).

Put right sides together (with the seam showing on the outside) and sew a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Flip right-side out.  Iron with the seam centered - this will be the back of your bow tie.

 You'll now follow the same steps with your small rectangle.  Sew right sides together and do a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Flip inside out - this can be challenging since it's so small, I would recommend using a safety pin to help you out.

Iron the fabric with the seam in the center. 

 Tuck in the edges.

I used scissors to help with this part.  

Then sew the edges together with the seam side facing out - I used an 1/8" seam allowance here.  Once again you'll turn it right-side out.

 Now for getting the bow tie to take shape. To fold it you want to make it like an "m" first with the middle scrunching in and then folding the edges towards the back again.

 To keep it in place, you have the choice to either hand sew it with a needle and thread or you can use hot glue.  Honestly hot glue is the easiest since there are so many layers to go through with the needle.

  Go back to the small circle (the middle piece) and use a seam ripper to tear a little hole.

Want to know the secret behind the clip-on part?  It's a clip used for clip-on earrings. I found a pack of 12 for $3 (but then also used my 40% coupon so it was an even better deal) Hobby Lobby.  I'm sure you could similar ones at other craft stores.

Push the clip through the hole.  If you want to put something on your open seam to keep it from fraying, you can use fabric glue or clear fingernail polish.

Secure the metal circle part to the fabric using hot glue.

 Thread the large tie part through your middle circle and secure the metal circle to the tie once again using hot glue.  

 You're done!!!

 Now go make lots!

**I've had a few people ask me if the clip bothers the person wearing the tie.  My son isn't old enough to tell me it's bothering him, but he doesn't seem to notice.  If you want to cover the clip, I would recommend a small piece of felt.**