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Bow Tie Tutorial for Dolls and Softies

stuffed monkey wearing a bowtie made with the free bowtie pattern from Shiny Happy World

Milton Monkey is wearing pretty dashing bow tie. 🙂

It’s an easy and fun accessory to add to any softie or doll!

This one fits most mid-sized softies – you can adjust the length of the strap pretty easily to fit whatever toy you’re trying to dress up a bit.

You can also leave the strap off and add a pin to the back to make a hair bow for a girl doll or softie.

Here’s the bow tie tutorial. . .

Cut out the pattern pieces as follows:

  • for the neck cut 1 piece 2″ x 14″
  • for the bow cut 2 pieces 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″
  • for the knot cut 1 piece 2″ x 2 1/2″

Step 1

We’ll start with the bow part.

Place the two bow pieces right sides together and sew almost all the way around the edge using 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave 1-2 inches open in the center of one of the long sides so you can turn it right side out. Clip the corners.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

Turn the bow right side out and press it flat.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

You can hand sew the opening closed, but it will be hidden when you add the knot so you don’t need to. I didn’t.

Step 2

Now let’s prep the knot.

Fold the knot piece in half the long way and sew, using 1/4″ seam allowance.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

Turn the piece right side out. Turn the tube so that the seam runs up the back and press it flat.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

Step 3

Now for the neck band.

Fold the neck band in half the long way, pressing a seam down the middle.

Now fold the edges of the band in to that center fold and press. It should look like this.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

Fold in the raw edges at the ends and press it flat, refolding and pressing that center seam.

bow 03 end folded 1000 px

 

Sew the folded edges together, as close as you can get to the edge. Sew a 1″ piece of hook and loop tape to each end of the band. Remember – one piece of the tape goes on the outside of the band and the other goes on the inside. I always try it out around a pretend neck to make sure I have it right before I sew the pieces in place.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

 Step 4

Let’s put it all together!

Pinch the center of the bow together. Wrap the knot around the pinched bow and the neck band. Fold the raw edge of the knot under and sew it in place.

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

This doesn’t have to be super neat – it will be on the back of the bow. While I’m at it (especially if this is for a child), I also tack a couple of stitches into the bow and the neck band to keep things from sliding.

Done!

bow tie instructions from Shiny Happy World

You can easily make a whole bunch of bow ties in a range of colors and sizes to dress up all your toys and softies! Make some up in fun holiday prints to dress up for the different holidays!

Have fun with it! And Happy Sewing!

Best,
Wendi
That's me!

5 COMMENTS

  1. Amy Costa SAYS...

    Thank you so much for your directions on this bow tie, they were super easy to follow for a beginner like me!

    • AJ SAYS...

      Agreed!

  2. Pingback: Best Laid Plans… – Judy Warner

  3. AJ SAYS...

    This is the best pattern EVER! I’m a complete beginner, and it took me all of 20 minutes to make! Thank you so much!

  4. Monica L. Mazone-Odoms SAYS...

    Thank You, I was looking into making something easy for all my plush fur babies,