freestyle bow tie in two styles - sewing pattern
the freestyle bow tie
This is a modern bow tie pattern that you can use to make fitted bow ties with either the traditional butterfly tip or a diamond point tip.
This bow tie is a freestyle tie you will tie yourself, not a pre-tied or clip-on tie. As you can see from the last image, you can have fun combining fabrics to make your tie reversible!
finished dimensions
The bow tie is 2" wide at the bow, and has a narrow 3/4" band. The pattern is sized for a 15.5" shirt collar, but includes simple instructions on how to adjust the pattern for a perfect fit.
variations
Check out my blog for directions on how to make your bow tie reversible, adjustable, or "batwing" style: http://www.blog.hollandcox.com/2014/06/diy-bow-tie-five-different-ways/
skill level
The bow tie is a great project for beginners, but fun for more experienced sewers as well! Honestly the hardest part is cutting the fabric carefully, as those curves and narrow bends can be treacherous. Use sharp scissors and take your time and you will be fine!
suggested fabrics
Lightweight woven fabrics with some stability are perfect for the bow tie. Fabrics that are too drapey will be difficult to work with and will form a droopy tie. Avoid fabrics that are sheer, stretchy, knit, drapey, slippery, heavyweight, or with pile like velvet or faux fur.
The bow tie is a great way to show off fabric with a small-scale motifs and abstract prints, or graphic designs like stripes, plaids, and checks. The pattern will tell you to cut your fabric on the straight grain, but you can cut it on the crosswise or on the bias, depending on how you'd like the motif on your fabric to appear on the completed tie.
copyright
Sewing patterns by Valerie Williams under the label Holland Cox, The Syndicate, or handmade classics are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License, and are for personal use only.
Contains:
- 8 page PDF
- step-by-step directions with photographs
- US imperial measurements
- includes pattern for both a traditional butterfly (or thistle) bow tie, and a diamond point bow tie
- pattern is easily adjustable to fit women
Materials you need at home:
- 1/2 yard of fabric (lightweight woven fabric like chambray, lawn, quilting cotton)
- scrap lightweight fusible interfacing (a 4" x 4" square would be plenty)
- basic sewing supplies (including thread, scissors, iron and ironing surface, and sewing machine)
Valerie Williams
I'm a sewer and crafter who has been making handbags and accessories under the label Holland Cox since 2004, and blogging about sewing and crafting for nearly as long! I love making things, and teaching others how to make!