A bow tie is two rectangles of fabric sewn together and tied at the neck

A bow tie has three parts: two fabric rectangles that form the bow itself, and a band that wraps around your neck and holds everything in place. You sew the rectangles right-sides together, turn them inside-out so the seams are hidden, then stitch the band closed. The whole project takes two to three hours for a beginner and uses only a needle and thread—or a sewing machine if you have one.

The finished bow tie will be about 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall when tied. You can make it larger or smaller by adjusting the rectangle dimensions before you cut. Most bow ties use cotton, linen, or silk, though any fabric that does not fray excessively will work.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric 5 inches by 3 inches for the bow, and one rectangle 9 inches by 1.5 inches for the neck band.
  • Sew the two bow rectangles right-sides together on three sides, leaving one short end open for turning.
  • Turn the sewn rectangle inside-out through the opening, press it flat, and stitch the opening closed by hand.
  • Fold the neck band in half lengthwise, sew the long edge, turn it right-side-out, and stitch it closed at both ends.
  • Pinch the bow in the middle and wrap the neck band around it, then hand-stitch the band to itself to hold the bow in place.

Gather fabric, thread, and basic sewing tools

You will need two pieces of fabric for the bow and one for the neck band. Cut the bow fabric into two rectangles measuring 5 inches by 3 inches each. Cut the neck band fabric into one rectangle measuring 9 inches by 1.5 inches. If you want a larger or smaller bow, scale all three measurements up or down together—keep the proportions the same.

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric color, or use a contrasting color if you want the stitches to show as a design detail. If you are using a sewing machine, thread it the same way you normally would. You will also need pins, scissors, and an iron or pressing surface to flatten seams as you work.

Sew the two bow rectangles together

Place the two 5-by-3-inch rectangles with their right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. Pin three sides together, leaving one of the short 3-inch ends unpinned—this will be your opening for turning the fabric right-side-out later.

Sew along the three pinned sides using a running stitch (if sewing by hand) or a straight stitch on your machine. Keep your stitches about one-quarter inch from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread. When you reach a corner, stop with your needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot (if using a machine), rotate the fabric 90 degrees, and continue sewing.

After sewing all three sides, trim the corners diagonally about one-eighth inch from the stitching. This reduces bulk when you turn the fabric right-side-out and makes the corners look sharper.

Turn the bow right-side-out and close the opening

Reach through the unpinned opening and gently pull the fabric inside-out. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to push the corners out fully from the inside. Press the entire piece flat with an iron or by laying it under a heavy book for a few minutes.

Fold the raw edges of the opening inward about one-quarter inch and pin them closed. Using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), sew the opening shut by hand. Bring your needle up through one folded edge, across into the opposite folded edge, and back out. Move forward slightly and repeat. The stitches will be nearly invisible when done.

Sew and turn the neck band

Take the 9-by-1.5-inch rectangle for the neck band. Fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together, so it becomes a long thin rectangle measuring about 9 inches by 0.75 inches. Pin the long open edge and sew it closed using a running stitch or straight stitch, staying one-quarter inch from the edge.

Turn the band right-side-out through one of the open ends using the same technique as the bow—reach in and pull gently. Press it flat. Fold both open ends inward one-quarter inch, pin them, and stitch them closed by hand using a ladder stitch.

Assemble the bow tie

Pinch the bow rectangle in the middle to create the bow shape. Wrap the neck band around the pinched center so the band circles the bow. The band should overlap itself slightly at the back. Hand-stitch the overlapping part of the band to itself using small, tight stitches. This holds the bow in its shape and keeps the band from sliding.

Try the bow tie on and adjust the tightness by sliding the band slightly if needed. The finished bow tie will tie around your neck like a regular bow tie—pull the ends to tighten and loosen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine for the whole project?

Yes. Use a straight stitch for the bow and neck band seams. The only part that is easier by hand is closing the opening after turning—a machine cannot easily stitch a small gap closed from the inside. You can machine-stitch it closed from the outside if you do not mind visible stitches, or hand-stitch just that one seam.

What if my fabric frays at the edges?

Fraying is normal and adds texture. If you want to prevent it, explore a thin line of fabric glue or fray-check liquid along the raw edges before sewing. Alternatively, use pinking shears (scissors with zigzag blades) to cut the fabric instead of straight scissors—the zigzag edge frays less.

How do I make the bow tie adjustable instead of fixed?

Instead of stitching the neck band to itself, sew a small hook-and-loop fastener (like Velcro) to the overlapping ends of the band. This lets you adjust the tightness and remove the bow tie without untying it.

What is the difference between hand-sewing and machine-sewing this project?

A machine is faster and produces more uniform stitches. Hand-sewing gives you more control over small details and requires no equipment beyond a needle and thread. Both methods produce a finished bow tie that looks and functions the same way.