clip-on bow tie tutorial

Last week we went back to Florida for Heather's sister's wedding. Her color scheme was beachy & beautiful in navy & coral (making mental notes on the navy for our future nuptials). I had the pleasure of making Heather's color-coordinated coral bow tie, & a mini clip-on version for her nephew! Too cute, let me tell you what.

To make this clip-on tie, I used:

• This clip-on bow tie pattern page 1 & page 2
• 1/4 yard fabric
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine & notions
• An iron
• Fabric glue
• Embroidery thread
• A necktie clip (I cut mine out of an old kid's necktie, but they can be purchased in bulk on Etsy)

Using the pattern, cut two bow tie shapes from your fabric. Turn your pieces right side in, & pin together. 

Using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew the two pieces together, leaving a small gap in the middle. Turn the bow tie inside out through the gap, & hand-stitch the gap closed.

Iron your bow tie flat.

Now to fold your bow tie. Fold it in thirds, with the narrowest points meeting in the middle.

Cut out the small strip piece from the bow tie pattern. Fold in half lengthwise & right-side in, & sew down the side, making a tube. Turn the tube right side out. Wrap the tube around your folded bow tie, & stitch in place tightly.

The tie clip is generally used in neckties only. Most kids bow ties join on a strip & wrap around the neck, but to me that = choking hazard! Especially for Heather's nephew who definitely works hard & plays hard. That being said, the necktie clip is too wide for a bow tie, hence the snipping of the excess plastic. I used an old pair of scissors to cut the edges down, then sanded the cut ends to round off the sharp edges.

To adhere the clip to the bow, use a dab of fabric glue & let dry. For added adhesive, stitch around the clip & through the bow with embroidery thread.

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Check out the adult version of this tutorial here. Not a bow tie person? Rock a DIY necktie!