There are occasions when only a bow tie will do. Fortunately, with a little practice it’s now possible to turn any ordinary necktie into a bow tie for that special occasion or just because you want to wear something different for a change. Here are a few of our favorite projects featuring how to turn a tie into a bow tie.
Project 1 – Folded Necktie to Bow Tie With a Label
Here’s how to turn a tie into a bow tie without ruining the necktie you love.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Find a flat surface to work on and lay the tie face down.
- Fold in the two sides of the point on the wide end toward the back.
- While still holding the folds, push the tie up and tuck it into the label. The side between the folded end and label should be slightly larger than the width of your hand.
- Place your hand on top the label and pull the free end over your hand.
- Place your hand on top of the pile and fold it over and back once again. You want to end up with two folds on each side.
- Make the knot by taking the thinner end and wrapping it around the middle of the folded sections vertically then slip the skinny end through the loop where you started to secure it.
- Adjust the folds to create a bow tie look.
- Wrap the remaining skinny end around your neck and tuck it into the loop. If it’s too long just secure the extra tail under your neckband before pulling your collar down into place.
Watch the video below for a better understanding of the process:
Project 2 – Folded Necktie to Bow Tie With no Label
If the necktie doesn’t have a label, here’s how to turn a tie into a bow tie similar to that above.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Lay the tie face down on a flat surface.
- Fold the tie over your hand to the left. Move your hand on top the pile then fold it to the right. Repeat the process so you have two folds on each side. The parts that stick out will be taken care of when you make your knot.
- Pick up the folded pieces and turn them over so the front is facing you. The inside of the tail should be facing you and fall in the center straight down behind the folds.
- Flip the tail up the center and over the top to the back then tuck it through the loop you just made. Make sure the tail is pulled tightly then held securely so it will cinch the middle.
- On the backside, tuck the tail through the loop then pull it tight.
- Wrap the extra length of tail around your neck and tuck it into the loop on the back of the bow tie. If extra tail remains tuck it beneath the neck band before pulling the collar into place.
Watch the video below for a better understanding of the process:
Project 3 – Turning a Boy’s Necktie Into a Toddler’s Bow Tie
Neckties for boys have a velcro neck piece. Here’s how to turn a tie into a bow tie that requires no sewing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Remove the stitches holding the velcro neck ring to the tie and the stitches holding the knot. You will end up with a flat length of tie and a velcro neck ring.
- Cut off the pointed end and press the tie open.
- Fold the tie in half lengthwise with the pattern on the inside but do not press.
- Cut 4″ off the bottom making a 4″x4-1/2″ folded square.
- Turn it right side out and press the folded piece in half.
- Press the raw edges under 1/4″.
- Glue the raw edges together using fabric glue or a hot glue gun.
- With the leftover tie, cut a 3″x4″ piece of folded fabric and a 3″x2″ piece then repeat the steps above on each. You should now have 4 finished pieces: a) the strip with velcro; b) a large rectangle; c) a medium rectangle and; d) a small rectangle.
- Stack the dried large and medium rectangles on top of each other.
- With a needle and thread, run a stitch through the center the wrap the thread around the rectangles several times.
- Push the needle through the pinched center, pull it tight then wrap the thread a couple of more times around the center and tie it off.
- Sew one end of the small rectangles to the center back edge of the bow.
- Secure the velcro strap at the center back with a couple of stitches.
- Finish wrapping the end of the small strap around the center of the bow including the neck strap and top stitch it to keep it securely in place.
Your bow tie should come out looking like this:
Image Source: Pinterest
Project 4 – It’s all About how it’s Tied
Here’s a project about how to turn a tie into a bow tie simply by changing the way you tie it.
Step-by-Step
- With the tie around your neck, adjust it so the wide end falls at the third button of your shirt.
- Fold the wide end of the tip under and tuck it into the label on the back.
- Cross the narrow end over the front of the wide end, flip it up through the back and tighten.
- Fold the wide end over itself to create a rectangle the width of a bow tie then fold the narrow end through the loop at the back and over the center of the folded piece.
- Pinch the two sides of the folded piece together and pull it forward in order to even it out.
- Again, flip the narrow end over the front and through the loop in back then pull it tight.
- The narrow strip left over can be tucked into the shirt just under your top button. Reach under your shirt to pull it flat.
Watch the video below for a better understanding of the process:
Project 5 – The Reversible Bow Tie From 2 Neckties
Here’s a project on how to turn a tie into a bow tie that’s reversible.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Take apart an old bow tie to create a pattern by tracing the image onto a piece of tissue paper. Cut the pattern out 5/8″ larger than the original bow tie in order to have a seam allowance.
- Select 2 neckties in different patterns, colors and/or textures.
- Remove the stitching from both the neckties and press open.
- With the patterns facing each other, pin the bow tie pattern on top and cut it out.
- Unpin the pattern and, beginning in the center back, sew around all the edges leaving an opening so you can turn it.
- Clip the corners and trim seams then, using the handle of a wooden spoon, turn it right side out by pushing the material through the opening in the back.
- Press the edges making sure that the material on the other side does not show.
- At the opening roll the edges inward then hand stitch it closed.
- After putting it around your neck, tie it like you would any bow tie. For a different look just flip it over and retie it.
Your bow tie should come out looking like this:
Image Source: Pinterest
Summing Up
Whether you’re a man or woman, a bow tie can change a look in a matter of minutes. They produce a stylish look that’s right on trend. If you have ideas about how to turn a tie into a bow tie be sure and share what you’ve discovered. We’d love to hear your ideas.