Different Styles of Bow Ties

[Bugbear]

I've been looking over the way my streight bow tie is constructed.

As far as I can tell, it is made from a single strip of fabric that is cut parallel to the grain (not on the bias); folded in half along the length; then seamed along the open edge and the ends.

It is, of course, then turned outside in. And like I said before, the middle part that is around the neck is folded over itself in a couple of twists and sewn down.

I think I can reproduce that in any number of materiels.

I tride an experiment and took a strip of cotton material that was folded in half (not sewn), and was able to tie a bow that was all right. So I'm thinking I could probably do this with the right streight edge and a bit of careful sewing...

[Iain Robb]

Keep us posted, Ted, and make sure you include pictures. I, at least, am interested in making a bow tie or three ...

[Old Hippie]

I, at least, am interested in making a bow tie or three ...

The easiest way to get started is to "tie one on" and once it's adjusted properly (assuming it's adjustable), take it off and measure it for length.

Then figure out how long the raw fabric would be, and make your own pattern based on those measurements.

Most of the pattern manufacturers have at least one set of patterns for men's accessories: bow tie, neck tie, cummerbunds, pocket squares and so on. Here's two:

McCall's 2447
Vogue 7104

I have some fairly basic instructions that I've developed for making my own ties. Anyone who's interested, PM me. It's a tie-on tie, not a clip-on or a hook in back style -- although you could make it a hook in back style very easily and only have to tie it once.

:ootd:

[Bugbear]

Keep us posted, Ted, and make sure you include pictures. I, at least, am interested in making a bow tie or three ...

I have to do everything without pictures, so no luck there.

The pattern would be a aprox. 48 inch by 3 inch rectangle or strip of fabric. The instructions are fold the fabric strip in half along the whole 48 inch length, then sew all the open sides together one quarter of an inch from the edge. However, in the middle of the bow tie, leave a few inches unsewn so you can turn the fabric inside-out. Also, notch the allowances (quarter inch of fabric passed the stitching) at the corners that have been sewn to help them lay flat inside the bow tie. Then you turn it inside out, and have a stick handy in case you need to poke the corners into place etc.

Then you press it.

In the middle of the tie, where the seam is open, you fold in two twists that make the part around the neck not as wide as the tails. Sew those in with a few stitches and press.

I don't even know if you need the twists, but that is what is on the tie I have as a model.

Hope that makes sense.

[Iain Robb]

Hope that makes sense.

I'm sure it will. I'm the kind of guy who needs to read everything, look at pictures, then read it again; or read it and read it and read it and try and try and try to picture it and then read it again ...

Usually it comes to me eventually. Thanks!