How to Sew a Bow Tie

Bow ties are a classic formal wear look. They can be black to match a tuxedo, or they can provide the penguin suit with a splash of color. Bow ties can also be worn with more informal outfits, such as colored shirts and sweater vests. For formal occasions, the bow tie should be made from fancy fabric, such as satin or silk. For fun, colorful bow ties or costumes, bow ties can be made from less formal fabric, such as polyester, poly-cottons or even calico.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Lightweight fusible interfacing
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Cotton press cloth
• Sewing machine
• Small safety pin

Sew a Bow Tie

1. Cut a strip of fabric that’s 1 inch longer than you want the bow tie, and twice as wide plus 1/2 inch.

2. Preheat the iron to the right temperature for the type of fabric you’re using. Put a dry cotton press cloth over delicate fabrics such as silk to protect them from scorching.

3. Cut a strip of lightweight fusible interfacing the same size as the fabric. Iron the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric, following the directions that came with the interfacing.

4. Fold the short ends of the fabric over 1/2 inch toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press the ends flat.

5. Fold the fabric in half the long way, right sides together. Stitch across the edge opposite the fold using 1/4 inch seam allowance.

6. Insert a small safety pin through one layer of fabric at the end of the tie. Turn the safety pin inside the tie and push it through to turn the tie right side out. Remove the pin.

7. Position the seam in the center of the back of the tie. Press the tie flat, pressing firmly and using the maximum temperature for that type of fabric.

8. Tuck the corners of one short end inside the tie, forming a point. Press the point flat. Do the same for the other end of the tie.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a clip-on bow tie, follow the directions above to make a shorter tie, and tie it in a bow. Make a neckband from a strip of fabric using the same method, making it 2 inches longer than it needs to be to wrap snugly but comfortably around your collar. Sew the bow to the center of the neckband. Add a button and buttonhole or snaps to the short ends of the neckband. Wrap the bow tie around your collar and snap or button it in the back.
• Besides the basic bow tie shape, you can also make a bow tie with “bat wings” or in the “butterfly” style. For these ties, cut two pieces of fabric in the shape you want, leaving an extra 1/4 inch around each edge for seam allowance. Sew the pieces right sides together, leaving the short ends open so you can turn the tie right side out. Turn the short ends to the inside of the tie and press them.
• Use caution when working with scissors, irons, sewing machines and pins.