Bow Ties made out of Felted Wool Sweaters (Tutorial)

After finishing the Cashmere Neck Tie for my son, I started thinking of different things I could make with felted sweaters. Since I am taking part in a week all about bows over at Simply Homemade in the next little while, my next obvious choice was to make bow ties. I must say, I am absolutely smitten by these chunky little ties. And the fact that you can easily make one in five minutes makes them all the better!

Before cutting out your shapes, you need to wash your wool sweater and dry it. This makes it felt and it also becomes thicker so it holds it's shape wonderfully well. I got my sweater at our local thrift store but this could be a great project for an accidently shrunken and sweater done in a laundry mishap.

After you sweater is ready, cut your pieces. Because of the nature of felted wool, you don't have to worry about fraying so you don't have to cut any extra seam allowance to turn under. Just cut it the size and shape you think will look nice! As you can see, my shapes are two curved rectangles about 3 1/2x2 inches, a strip for the collar that is about 14 inches long and another small strip for the bow.

Take your two rectangle shapes and stack on each other. Tread your needle and push it through the center of both shapes.

Pull tight to gather.

With the needle still in your hand, wrap it tightly around the center several times.

Place the bow on top of the center of the collar strip. Push needle through both

Put the last little strip on the center of the bow and wrap it around both the bow and the collar. My strip is longer than it needs to be so that it is easier to work with. I just trim what I don't want after it is in place.

pull it tight and sew it shut. If you are like me, cut off the extra length.

Sew your velcro to the ends of the collar and you're all done! See what I mean? So easy and so fun.

In a matter of minutes, you can have a handful of handsome bow ties to dress your little chap in all Winter long!

Linked to: Under the Table and Dreaming, Tip Junkie, Sew Can Do, Southern Lovely, Sew Much Ado, Tatertots and Jello, Project Run and Play, The Girl Creative, Kojo Designs