How to Make a Jack Skellington Bow Tie

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Make your own version of Jack Skellington's bat-like bow tie for a Halloween costume or a Skellington-inspired craft project. If creating a wearable version, use felt or thin craft foam for the tie material; construction paper works for paper projects.

Wearable Bat Bow Tie

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Thin scrap cardboard

  • Pencil

  • Clear tape or painter's tape (optional)

  • Image of Jack Skellington

  • Marker

  • Sharp scissors

  • Black craft foam

  • Hot glue gun

  • Needle

  • Black thread or clear monofilament fishing line

  • Hair clip

  • White paint pen or puffy fabric paint

Step 1

Measure the distance from shoulder to shoulder on yourself or the person who will wear the tie using a tape measure. Add 12 inches to the measurement -- or even more, if you like -- for a bow tie that sticks out beyond the shoulders. Skip to Step 6 if you prefer to use a tie template instead of measuring and drawing out your own version of the bat-inspired bow tie.

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Step 2

Measure the width from Step 1 with pencil on a large sheet of scrap cardboard. Tape several pieces together if necessary to create a large enough tie template, using clear tape, painter's tape or any tape you have on hand. The tape goes on the back.

Step 3

Sketch the wingspan of Jack's bat-inspired tie on the cardboard, looking at an image of Jack as a reference. The wings have three points each and look more like deer antlers than actual bat wings. Go over the outline in marker once you're happy with your design.

Step 4

Draw a bat head shape -- an oval with two pointy ears -- separately from the wings. Draw the head to scale with the wings; you'll attach it to the center of the wingspan later.

Step 5

Cut out the wingspan and bat head shape with scissors.

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Step 6

Place the templates for the bat head and wings atop a piece of black craft foam. Stiff felt may be used in place of foam, but it's a bit more difficult to work with when it comes to writing on it or gluing it together.

Step 7

Cut around the templates using sharp scissors.

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Step 8

Attach the bat head to the center of the wingspan using a dab of hot glue. Alternatively, stitch it in place with a needle and black thread or black fishing line. Do not pull too tightly if sewing, as it may tear the foam.

Warning

Do not touch the tip area of a hot glue gun -- or the melted glue -- when the gun is in use, as both can cause burns.

Step 9

Flip the bat tie over and attach a metal or plastic hair clip behind the bat head with a dab of hot glue. Angle the clip so the open end points slightly downward so you can attach it to the neck of a shirt or costume. Allow the glue to dry for at least several minutes.

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Step 10

Paint lines or ridges toward the points of the bat tie with a white paint pen or puffy paint, again looking at a Jack Skellington image to emulate the style. Puffy paint applies directly from the tip of the bottle. Add large white ovals for eyes on the bat head.

Step 11

Clip the tie onto the neck or collar of your -- or a friend's -- outfit to wear the tie.

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Paper Non-Wearable Tie

Create a non-wearable version of the tie for a decoration or craft project using black construction paper or posterboard. Sketch out a paper template as large as you'd like; then trace it onto the construction paper or posterboard. Add the white lines and bat eyes with a white paint pen.

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