A man wearing a bowtie is looking at a smiling little girl wearing a matching headband.

While tying a bow tie might be tricky, this DIY bow tie tutorial sure isn’t! Whether you’re getting ready for your next big event or just want to help Dad look dapper this Father’s Day, a handmade bow tie using a fat quarter of Organic Cotton Sateen is just the answer. When you pair the bow tie with a matching top knot headband for your mini-me, you can’t go wrong! 

No time to DIY?

Be sure to check out Small Business Grant recipient Nicole Brown’s bow tie business over at Ruth Nathan’s. 

How to Make a Bow Tie

Materials to make a bow tie including fabric, a rotary blade, clips, scissors, interfacing and template.

Materials

1. Measure the wearer’s neck

First, we need to measure the wearer’s neck to create the proper fit for the bow tie. If this is a surprise gift, you can also measure a dress shirt collar to get an idea of the size.

How to measure the neck.
Wrap a measuring tape around the neck, about an inch above the shoulders or just underneath the Adam’s apple. Hold the measuring tape taut and level. Record this number and then add 0.5″ to it to determine your bow tie size. Average bow tie sizes range from 15-18″, and patterns can be adjusted accordingly.

2. Print and Prepare Your Template

Once you have the bow tie size, print and cut out the bow tie template. Tape the two pieces together at the neck size you need. 

Making Multiple Bow Ties?

Planning to make more than one bow tie? Print the bowtie on cardstock or print and adhere to a chipboard.

3. Cut out the fabric and interface of your pattern pieces

Cut out four bow tie pieces from your fabric and two from your interfacing. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of two of your fabric bow tie pieces. 

Four pieces of fabric cut for a bowtie lay designs ide up on a wooden surface.
Two bow tie pieces lay design side up on two pieces of interfacing on a wooden surface.

Pro Tip

Cut out your interfacing so it’s slightly larger than the pattern piece you’re adhering it to. Once fused to your fabric, trim any excess interfacing.

4. Sew the bow tie ends together

Pin the two non-interfaced bow tie pieces right-sides together and sew the short ends with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for the remaining two bow tie pieces. Press the seams open. 

Four bow tie pieces are clipped together design sides facing on a wooden surface.

5. Sew the bow tie pieces together

Pin the two bow tie pieces right-sides together and sew together with a 1/4” seam allowance. Be sure to leave a 2” opening near the middle of the neckband.

Cut small notches in the seam allowance on the curves of the tie and trim your corners, being careful not to cut into your stitches.

A bowtie laying on a wooden surface design side down and being secured by sewing clips.
A bowtie sewn together, designs sides facing on a wooden surface.

6. Turn your bowtie right side out

Using your point turner, chopstick or other handy-dandy turning tool, turn your fabric right side out. This part can be tricky so be patient and work slowly! 

A bow tie is being flipped design side out using a wooden stick.

7. Press your bow tie

Now that you’ve turned your bow tie right-side out (how is turning a bow tie not an Olympic sport?) press your bow tie so all of your seams are flat. At the 2” opening fold in the raw edges and press. Use a slipstitch or topstitch on your sewing machine to secure the opening.

The ends of a bow tie lay on a wooden surface.

Now that you’re done, proudly wear your bow tie or make one for a dapper friend.
We hear bow ties make the perfect DIY Father’s Day gift! 

A little girl holding a bowtie that a man is wearing. She's wearing a matching headband.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sewing experience required to make a bow tie?
Our DIY bow tie tutorial is beginner-friendly for new sewists.
How do you make a bow tie?
1. Measure the neck of the bowtie recipient.
2. Print and cut out the bow tie template
3. Cut out your fabric and interfacing pieces
4. Sew your bow tie ends together
5. Sew your bowtie pieces together
6. Flip your bowtie right side out.
7. Press your bow tie.
How do you measure a person’s neck to make a bow tie?
Wrap a measuring tape around the neck, about an inch above the shoulders or just underneath the Adam’s apple. Hold the measuring tape taut and level. Record this number and then add 0.5″ to it to determine your bow tie size. Average bow tie sizes range from 15-18″, and patterns can be adjusted accordingly.

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