How to Make a Neck Tie for Little Boys

A piece of elastic will make the tie easy to put on and take off.

Nothing is cuter than a little boy dressed to the nines, but a well-fitting child's necktie can be a difficult find since growing children are never "one size fits all." If you need a boy's necktie for a special occasion, try making one yourself at home. Find an old necktie at a consignment store, or see if his daddy has one he doesn't wear any more, and get started.

Things You'll Need

• Men's necktie
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Needle and thread
• Iron
• Elastic

Instructions

Prepare the Pieces

1. Turn over the tie and cut off any labels, as well as the stitch that holds the flaps down.

2. Measure the tie against your son. Position the point where you want it to end and then cut the tie at the top where it meets the beginning of his neck. For an 18-month-old, it should be about eight inches long.

3. Lay the narrow end of the tie on the piece you just cut and cut it two inches shorter, so it will be hidden behind the front of the tie.

4. Cut a piece from the skinny end that is half the length of your first piece. This piece will be used to create your knot. If you're using an eight-inch piece for the tie, you will need a four-inch piece for the knot.

Create the Knot

1. Flip the skinny piece (that you cut for the knot) over and lay it horizontally.

2. Fold both sides into the center at a slight angle to create a trapezoid shape.

3. Press firmly on the trapezoid shape with an iron.

4. Tuck the top corners inward so there is no longer a point and press with the iron again.

5. Flip it over and you'll see that it looks like the knot of a tie.

Assemble the Tie

1. Flip over the first piece you cut that will be used for the front of the tie and open the flaps.

2. Fold the bottom flap in at an angle to get the correct width and shape of the tie. Press it with the iron and cut off the excess material.

3. Fold the top flap down at an angle that matches the first. Press it with the iron and cut off the excess material, leaving enough so that the top flap slightly overlaps the bottom.

4. Create one stitch in the very center to hold the flaps together. To do this, thread your needle and stick it through the top flap, then through the bottom and loop it through a few times. Tie a tight knot and cut the remaining thread.

5. Flip the small tail piece over and create a stitch to hold the flaps together. Then flip the tie over and lay the tail piece, right side down, on top of the tie. Stitch a straight line across the top to secure the two pieces.

Attach the Knot

1. Bunch the top of the tie and sew a piece of thread through it to hold its shape.

2. Lay the knot right-side down and unfold the flaps.

3. Place the top of the tie inside the knot, right-side down, and fold the top flap over once again.

4. Sew the top flap to the tie.

5. Refold the knot so that it closes over the tie and stitch up the back. Thread your needle and stick it through the base of the knot and out the other side. Cut the needle off and tie the thread in a very tight knot. This is to cinch the end of the knot and give it the correct shape.

Add Elastic

1. Measure around your child's neck along his shirt collar.

2. Cut a piece of elastic an inch longer than your measurement.

3. Sew the ends of the elastic to the back of the tie knot.

4. Stretch the elastic over his head and position it under his collar so it doesn't show. Straighten the tie and steam it to loosen any wrinkles.

References

• Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!: Making a Boy's Tie from a Man's Tie