I have three boys (and one more on the way), so I’m always looking for good boy crafts. I have made several ties or bow ties for them. Some of then have been good and other ones just okay. My boys like to wear ties, but hate the clip on ones that come with their shirts because they don’t like the top button buttoned and it looks silly when it’s not buttoned up. And they like the ones that you actually tie, but we are always late for church as it is, so tying a tie isn’t ideal, plus they are made for bigger boys.
So I was on a mission to find a good tutorial for ties, and I found this one. It was great, but the pattern for boys 2-3 years old, so I had to make my own pattern for it. This is by far my favorite tie that I have made for my boys, I have already made 9 in the past month and they actually wear them for church (and they stay all for the whole time!).
This is how I made them:
The Ribbon Retreat has some awesome boy fabrics, I was so excited to see that they had a really good selection. You will need a fabric for the front and then just a plain white and of course thread. I used the line Urban Zoology from Robert Kaufman and the Pirate Matey’s line from Riley Blake. Depending on the size of tie, you will need anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 yard.
Here are the patterns that I made, I made one for 3 to 4 years old and 5 to 6 year old. You can get them here.
***This was my first time doing a pattern and I didn’t realize that it wouldn’t be 100% size when you scanned it in. So when you print it out, don’t line the parts up at the dotted line or it will be too short, just overlap the two pieces of paper about 1/2 inch and then tape it together.***
I printed out the pattern, taped it together and then cut it out.
Then I placed the white fabric onto the front of the dinosaur fabric.
Then pinned the pattern onto the fabric, then I cut out both pieces of fabric together. I had the dinosaur fabric facing the white because that it how you will need to sew it anyway, so it saves a step.
Once the tie is all cut out,I sewed the two fabrics together at both ends. Just sew the triangle tips at the top and bottom.
With the dinosaur fabric facing up, I folded the tie in half.
Then I sewed along the edge of the tie, leaving the top and bottom open.
Next I turned the tie inside out by working the fabric through the hole at the top. Set the tie aside.
Now for the neck band. I took a piece of fabric and cut it 2 3/4 inches by 17” (that was for my 4 year old). I did 17 1/2” for my 6 year old and 18” for my 7 year old. Just measure the neck with a shirt on to get the length.
I folded the fabric in half (with the dinosaurs facing each other) and sewed it and then turned it inside out (the same way I did the tie) by working it through the hole at the top. Then I sewed Velcro onto the ends.
Now it’s time for the knot.
Place the tie onto the neck band, with the small end going behind and to the left. Then take the small end and fold it over the tie. Take the small end and go behind the neck band. And finally place the small end into itself, the space between where the small tie goes over the tie. Pull all of it tight. You should end with the little end in front of the knot.
Once the knot was good and tight, I moved the little end to the back of the tie.
Then I made a couple of stitches with a needle and thread, just to make sure the knot doesn’t come lose.
And that’s it!! It’s actually quite easy once you figure out how to do the knot and the pattern .
Even though I only have two sizes of patterns, you can used them to make bigger or smaller ties. For my oldest son’s, I just took the 5 to 6 year old pattern and then made it 2-3 inches longer.
Here are the three that I made for my three boys.
And here are my three boys sporting their new ties! They love getting to wear something new for church.
These will be perfect for Easter! I am going to make some for my boys and have the fabric match my little girl!
Hannah Evans
I love these!! Pinning them to my Stitching and Sewing board now, for sure will be making (in the future!)… Thanks for posting!
Hannah ♫
Sew Lah Tea Dough
Britney Mills
This is awesome! I love that I am seeing all these ideas for boy things…especially since we are going to have one in June. Thanks for the tutorial and I'm excited to try it out!
Ashley
These are awesome and look like something I could actually make! I want to make some for my boys for Easter too 🙂
craft guru
Super Cute! Found you over at Sugar Bee Crafts! Love these ties.
Marni @ Haberdashery Fun
Jen Nikolaus
I have four boys and love it when they can wear cute ties to church too! Too bad they're pretty expensive and hard to find in the stores – so this is perfect!!! What a great idea! Your boys are adorable!! Love your blog!
~Jen @ Yummy. Healthy. Easy.
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog
First of all, you are my hero! As a mom of 2 boys, I am absolutely in awe of any mama who can handle 3 (almost 4)! AND these ties are the CUTEST! I have pretty much given up on ties for my little guys bc they won't keep them on, but these may actually work! I found you at The DIY Dreamer–thanks so much for sharing!
~Abby =)
Susan @ Second Chances by Susan
I have to say that the ties are cute….but your boys are even cuter!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Sky
This is one of those projects that I see and then immediately have to go make for real- I love these! The sizes you provided are perfect for my little guys 🙂 Last year I tried vests for them for Easter and just wasn't as happy with them as I wanted to be- this year I'll be making these! Thanks for sharing, Kaysi- hope you're having and awesome night 🙂
Melissa Whitcher
These are so adorable. Pinning them! I would love to have you share them at our SImply Create link party tonight starting at 10:00 EST. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern too!
Melissa
redflycreations(dot)com
Melissa Whitcher
Just wanted to stop by and let you know that I am featuring your Boy's ties on my blog! It will be going live tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for linking up to our link party. We can't wait to see what you link up this week!
Melissa
redflycreations(dot)com
SewCreativeSTL
thanks for this awesome pattern !!! Just made 2 for my 2 boys and your directions were great. Thanks !!!