September 20, 2011 99 comments By

DIY Bow Tie

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated FNO by DIYing bow ties and neckties from scraps of denim at Madewell – because honestly, who isn’t borrowing a bit of inspiration from the boys this season? Today we’ll be showing you, who may have missed the event, how to DIY a bow tie with luxurious, Dolce & Gabbana-inspired velvet. Before you know it, you’ll be well suited and ready to channel your inner Marlene Dietrich!

You’ll need:

  • a 6″ x 3.5″ piece of velvet
  • a 0.75″ x 2.5″ piece of velvet
  • a 1″ pin back
  • a glue gun
  • a ruler
  • a pen

Start by drawing a vertical line and a horizontal line, dividing the rectangle into 4 equal quarters. Pinch the intersecting lines and pick up the velvet.

Flip the piece over, while still pinching the backside, and place a drop of hot glue in the center. Fold the velvet in half lengthwise, pressing the two sides closed. Place a drop a of glue on backside, along the vertical line and close to the folded edge. Fold the fabric back and press the two sides closed. This is the accordion-like fold that will be repeated.

Place another drop of glue on the front side and fold the fabric closed. Continue the steps until both sides.

Turn the bow on its backside and glue the tip of the velvet strip to the center. Wrap the strip around the bow and seal it closed.

Glue a pin back to the back of the bow.

Your velvet bow tie is finished!

Boy, oh boy . . .

(top image by TommyTon, rest of images by HonestlyWTF)

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99 Comments

  1. Plami wrote:

    ahhhh! Definitely making one!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com/2011/09/300-followers-giveaway.html

    9.20.11
    Reply
  2. AlbeeLucky wrote:

    Oh boy! I’ve been in awe of those velvet bows. Can’t wait to try this DIY. Thanks a bunch.

    xo-AlbeeLucky.blogspot.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  3. Manding wrote:

    i absolutely resent women who can pull of super masculine accessories. maybe since it’s a bow, it won’t make my athletic-broad shoulder-inverted triangle body look so boy-ish? 🙂

    ps, http://amandamantes.blogspot.com !

    9.20.11
    Reply
  4. Kate wrote:

    So fun! Now I want to make one in every color.

    9.20.11
    Reply
  5. Jessie wrote:

    aww this is an adorable DIY. not one i would rock but a fun one to make.
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

    9.20.11
    Reply
  6. Amy wrote:

    Found your blog on Stumbleupon- newly obsessed!! Thanks for all the fab DIY ideas

    9.20.11
    Reply
  7. jessica wrote:

    adorable!!

    xo
    http://www.thenovelboudoir.blogspot.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  8. grace - stripes & sequins wrote:

    oh, what fond memories! 😉

    9.20.11
    Reply
  9. Kiki Ottosen wrote:

    never imagine it could be so easy. thanks for the tutorial 🙂

    9.20.11
    Reply
  10. Ambyr wrote:

    Yay! I love this. Can’t wait to make my own.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  11. erem wrote:

    omg ive been wanting to make a bow tie for ages now..! thanks for the DIY tips..! im so making one this week ^_- x

    9.20.11
    Reply
  12. Rebecca Ackerman wrote:

    I was so sad to miss the FNO event, SOho was so crazy that night. But glad you posted this one here – so adorable! I am a huge menswear-for-women fan. When will you be DIYing suspenders?
    xo, R
    http://rivington-behindthescenes.blogspot.com/

    9.20.11
    Reply
  13. Rebecca Ackerman wrote:

    So cool!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  14. Rebecca Ackerman wrote:

    I love this!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  15. Nikki wrote:

    lovely lovely diy!!!! will definitely try it! the bow is such a great break from convention

    9.20.11
    Reply
  16. anne wrote:

    sounds super easy! thanks!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  17. Lauren wrote:

    So cute – thanks for the tips!!

    Lauren
    http://www.laurensthoughts.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  18. KYBOE USA wrote:

    We’re impressed! These bow ties look great.

    9.20.11
    Reply
  19. The Fashington Press wrote:

    Wicked!! I love bow ties..and Im never happy with whats in the stores!

    Proud Followers,
    http://thefashpress.blogspot.com/

    9.20.11
    Reply
  20. Sahra wrote:

    I think this post was written for me…and it’s so easy! 😀

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

    9.20.11
    Reply
  21. thefashionguitar wrote:

    How nice!! Thanks for sharing

    XO Charlotte
    http://www.thefashionguitar.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  22. Deana wrote:

    Love it!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  23. Aquí wrote:

    AMAZING!!! Making one this weekend!!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  24. Aga wrote:

    woow love it!

    9.20.11
    Reply
  25. sharonlei wrote:

    Doing this DIY stat! LOVE IT TO PIECES. And so easy peasy. 😉

    xx Love & Aloha

    9.20.11
    Reply
  26. grace wrote:

    pretty adorable- thanks for sharing!

    -grace

    http://herumbrella.com

    9.20.11
    Reply
  27. Grace wrote:

    It’s very cute!

    xx Grace
    Dream-Boating

    9.20.11
    Reply
  28. Heidi wrote:

    Looks amazing! Are the raw edges of the velvet not finished in any way, just left to fray? Maybe I missed a step.
    Heidi

    9.20.11
    Reply
  29. Stacy wrote:

    This tutorial is just fantastic! I have a near obsession with bowties and I’ll definitely be making a few.

    9.20.11
    Reply
  30. Kim wrote:

    Love this DIY because… bowties are cool.

    9.20.11
    Reply
  31. hello friday wrote:

    tres cute!!!!! and so easy!! xoxo

    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

    9.21.11
    Reply
  32. Federica R. wrote:

    I absolutely love this post and this site, it’s really cool and inspiring!

    http://www.ginaddict.blogspot.com

    9.21.11
    Reply
  33. Kerrie wrote:

    this is such a cool idea, thanks for sharing!

    9.21.11
    Reply
  34. Charmander wrote:

    I’m definitely trying this one! So cute.

    definingcharmander.blogspot.com

    9.21.11
    Reply
  35. jackie janeffer! wrote:

    i have been on a bow tie high of late,this is a must make!

    9.21.11
    Reply
  36. jackie janeffer! wrote:

    i have been on a bow tie high,this is a must make for me

    9.21.11
    Reply
  37. zee wrote:

    ooh very cute, i like it 🙂

    9.21.11
    Reply
  38. Vanessa wrote:

    I LOVE ITTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!

    9.21.11
    Reply
  39. Sweet Harvest Moon wrote:

    LOVE this!

    9.22.11
    Reply
  40. Aisha wrote:

    This is SUPER CUTE; I love that it’s velvet.

    9.23.11
    Reply
  41. Danielle wrote:

    This is soo pretty. I love the sophistication that the velvet fabric adds.

    9.25.11
    Reply
  42. Dana wrote:

    So in love with this idea!!! Definitely trying it out!

    xoxo
    Dana
    http://www.culturedblog.com

    9.28.11
    Reply
  43. Jessica James wrote:

    LOve this !!!

    I’m giving away a FREE OMG crossbody bag if you like my fb page and blog!

    Go to http://www.INKEDANDSEWN.com under the Freebies tab to enter!

    Xx Jess James

    9.28.11
    Reply
  44. Sara wrote:

    So simple but so elegant! I bet those would make AWESOME hair bows too!
    Kinda American Apparel-esque.
    Love it!
    x
    Sara
    DIY THRIFT ART BLOG
    http://thearttype.blogspot.com

    9.28.11
    Reply
  45. Charm D. wrote:

    Hi! I looooove the site! It´s so creative and inspiring!!!
    Do you want to join the DIY fashion group?
    Enter here: http://fashionsblogs.com/groups/diy-fashion-blogs/

    Xoxo. Charm D.

    10.3.11
    Reply
  46. Ashley wrote:

    I want one now! 🙂

    10.3.11
    Reply
  47. Ashley wrote:

    This is so cute!

    http://TheTinyElephantStore.etsy.com

    10.3.11
    Reply
  48. Michaela wrote:

    It’s so easy and fun to do!! I love to make them. I have done it here http://twoslaps.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-bow-tie.html
    I’s a great inspiration!

    10.26.11
    Reply
  49. Burt wrote:

    I love how simple and easy these DIYs are. I’m in love.

    12.20.11
    Reply
  50. Anna wrote:

    Instant dose of cool. ^^

    1.30.12
    Reply
  51. Anna wrote:

    instant dose of cool. ^_^

    1.30.12
    Reply
  52. DeeDee wrote:

    Funny I love bow ties and wear them probably way to often but my technique is way different than this. Check out how to make a more fashionable bow tie here:
    http://www.DeeoniC.com/diy-how-to-make-a-bow-tie/

    2.29.12
    Reply
  53. Катя wrote:

    круто чё)

    5.6.12
    Reply
  54. RainbowJuice wrote:

    Pfff… Love it this page is awesomee:X

    5.8.12
    Reply
  55. Cassandra wrote:

    I love the jacket! Where can I find?

    8.4.12
    Reply
  56. Ellie wrote:

    I LOVE this diy! Sadly, I was out of glue for my glue gun, so i just used a needle and thread. Took some elbow grease, but it worked! This is a great project for old jeans that you couldn’t bear to part with. Just cut em up and follow the directions! Thank you, honestlywtf.com!

    8.11.12
    Reply
  57. Sarah A wrote:

    Hi! I loved your bow tie so had to have a go myself, I have included a link below to my attempt! I love your projects and although keep a folder of loads of projects I want to try keep coming back to yours! Keep up the good work!

    http://littlebundyscloset.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/diy-bow-tie-tried-and-tested.html

    10.18.12
    Reply
  58. moj wrote:

    i make puffy bows. i use 2 layer of fabric. this way, the bow have good shape. not hanging

    11.15.12
    Reply
  59. Fanni wrote:

    lovely idea♥ i’m going to buy velvet haha

    11.17.12
    Reply
  60. Bregje wrote:

    I just made it, super cute!

    6.27.13
    Reply
  61. Luke wrote:

    If I saw you in the street wearing the ensemble in the top photo id have to stop you to tell you how cool you looked 🙂

    9.19.13
    Reply
  62. rae wrote:

    can’t wait to try this!

    9.26.14
    Reply
  63. MenWithStyle.dk wrote:

    Just amazing 🙂

    http://menwithstyle.dk

    4.29.16
    Reply
  64. Aussie Ties wrote:

    Aussie Ties provides high-quality Bow Ties, Neck Ties, Skinny Ties, Floral Ties, Wedding ties, Pocket Squares, and Cufflinks more at competitive prices in Australia. Shop our large collection of men’s Ties online.

    5.21.20
    Reply