For an upcoming Mary Poppins costume, I need a red bow-tie. Do you know how hard it is to find a inexpensive red bow-tie? It ain't easy. So I decided to make one on my own. I found a pattern on the internet and spent about an hour making it. Here are the steps that I followed on my journey to make a bow-tie.

Based on a pattern from www.tie-a-tie.net

Tools:
Sewing Machine
Iron and Ironing Board
1/4 Red Fabric
1/4 Interfacing, I used webbed interfacing that I had on hand.
Bow tie pattern. Use Tie-a-tie's pattern here:Bow Tie Pattern

STEP 1:THE PATTERN



Print out the pattern listed above. Don't worry about scaling the image to fit the paper. Cut your pattern out and then tap the ends together. Use the black lines as measurement for how long you want your bowtie to be. Mine is 18''.



STEP 2: CUTTING AND INTERFACING


It is always a good idea to iron your fabric before placing your pattern. Do that now please... thanks! Now it is time to fold your fabric in half, then once more. This is so you can cut all 4 pieces at once. Or you can just fold once and cut out the pattern twice.


Repeat the process with the interfacing.  This time only fold once since you just need two pieces of interfacing.


Now it is time to pin the glue side of the interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric. Follow the instructions of your interfacing for application.

STEP 3: SEWING


Now you should have 4 pattern pieces, 2 with the interfacing and 2 without. Take two of the matching pieces (I started with the two pieces that had the interfacing) and sew the two right ends together leaving 1/4 seam allowance. Repeat the process with the other two pieces.


If all is correct, you should have two long pieces. Pin the two right sides together with the backside facing up.

Using a 1/4 sewing allowance, sew around the edges of the bowtie. Just remember to leave a gap toward the middle of the bowtie so that you can turn it inside out when you have finished.


STEP 4: FINISHING UP


Clip the corners of your bowtie to make it your bow have sharp points. Now it is time to turn your bowtie inside out. I used a woden dowel to help me push the bowtie out. You could use a paint brush or a pencil that you have lying around.

Bring out your old friend, the iron. Make your bowtie nice and crisp before you close it up.


Next it is time to close up your bow tie. Turn in the raw edges and sew it close.


Voila! You have your very own bow tie.

Remember, bow ties are cool. ;)


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