How to make a bow tie

1. Materials & tools

Materials (adult bow tie)

• Main fabric (cotton, satin or a crisp shirting) — about 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10 in)
• Optional: lightweight fusible interfacing for body
• An adjustable bow-tie strap with hardware, or elastic, for wearing

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Bow tie” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
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3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric.
2. Cut
   Cut 1 body (folded into a loop at the center notch) and 1 center band.
3. (Optional) interface
   For soft fabric, fuse a light interfacing to the body so the bow holds its shape.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the body into a loop

1. Fold the body piece in half at the center, right sides together, and sew the long edge into a tube. Turn right side out and press with the seam centered at the back.
2. Bring the two short ends together and sew them, forming a loop (ring).

4-2. Shape the bow

1. Flatten the loop with the joining seam hidden at the center back.
2. Pinch the center into accordion folds (gathers) to form the bow shape.

4-3. Wrap the center band

1. Fold the center band into a narrow strip and press. Wrap it snugly around the gathered center and hand-stitch it closed at the back.
2. Thread the wearing strap (or elastic) behind the center band.

5. Tips & variations

• Crisper bow: use interfacing or a slightly stiffer fabric so the loops stand out.
• Pet bow tie: leave the center band loose enough to slide onto the collar.
• Pre-tied look: this style is pre-shaped, so it stays neat all day — ideal for weddings and photos.