The easy Bow Tie Quilt Block is so fun to make – and it’s perfect when you want to make a baby quilt for a boy or a girl!
This tutorial contains cutting instructions for a 8’’ and a 12’’ quilt block (finished).
UPDATE: I decided to sew a whole bunch of bow tie quilt blocks and make a baby quilt with them! Check out my free bow tie baby quilt pattern here.
So let’s sew some easy bow tie quilt blocks!
Bow Tie Quilt Block Tutorial
These instructions are for an 8” (finished) quilt block. Dimensions for a 12” (finished) quilt block are provided in parentheses. All seam allowances are 1/4”.
Cutting:
From a print fabric, cut:
2 squares 4 1/2” (6 1/2”)
2 squares 2 1/2” (3 1/2”)
From a contrasting solid fabric, cut:
2 squares 4 1/2” (6 1/2”)
Sewing:
1. Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the smaller squares. Pin the smaller squares to the corners of the larger solid squares as shown above.
2. Sew along the line that you drew. Repeat on the other unit. Using scissors or a ruler and rotary cutter, cut away the corners of the sewn units 1/4” past the sewn line.
3. Open and press.
4. Arrange the sewn units and the print squares as shown above and sew together.
Sew 2 rows first, and then sew the 2 rows together.
I love easy blocks like this one. I tend to make a whole bunch and then have fun arranging them into a quilt on my quilt design wall.
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
“Ooh, you SHOP for a living? That must be much be so much fun!”
When I tell people about my job—costume design and styling for the entertainment industry— and that much of the work revolves around shopping, they are often amazed to learn that such a position even exists. And when I explain that “shopper” is an actual job title, and that pretty much every theatrical production, film, and television show employs one or more shoppers, I’m often presented with questions about what the job entails, or how to get into the field.
The Variable Star is a classic quilt block that has been around for over 100 years. It has also been called the Sawtooth Star and the Evening Star. This fun block lends itself to so many versions. Since the center is a square, you can fill that square with patchwork, fussy cut fabric, or more stars (like I did)!
Ever since I heard about it, I’ve been so excited to get my hands on Jennifer Heynen’s new book Sew Small: 19 little bags, and it’s finally here! Jennifer is the super adorable and talented artist otherwise known as Jennifer Jangles. If you stitched up our Mini Quilt of the Month last month then you already know this because she designed it. 🙂
<img src=”https://sewcanshe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/PinterestPin28629.png” alt=”Pinterest Pin (6).png” /> Christmas is almost here…I love the excitement! Half the fun of Christmas for me happens in the last few days right before Christmas Eve. I inevitably need to come up with last minute gift…
So, you have some extra quilt blocks lying around. Maybe you made too many for a quilt or you made too few (he he – anybody here do that?). Well, those orphan quilt blocks would make amazing pillows, but don’t just sew them to a square of fabric for the back! Quilt blocks are gorgeous, so let’s make a gorgeous quilted pillow, shall we?
Good question. You do NOT need to have a blog or include a link to enter, just upload a picture to prove you made one. If you did blog about your block, feel free to link so we can read the post. 🙂
Very exciting! I only had a chance to make one or two of the blocks last year. I moved and just recently dusted off my sewing machine and pulled out my fabric stash. I am a beginner when it comes to quilt blocks, so this is a perfect start for me. :o) Melissa
Hi everyone. This is my first venture into quilt blocks, I’ve only ever done one appliqué quilt before but I normally make children’s clothes. So after making the first block I have a question. How do I store the blocks for the next 12 months? I don’t really want to fold them because a 12 month old crease won’t be easy to get out. Thanks everyone xx
First off, I have had great luck getting creases out of quilt blocks and tops by pressing with a hot iron and using spray starch or magic sizing.
But I understand your desire to not get creases in the first place. Can you store them flat anywhere, like on top of a shelf or book case (protected from dust, of course)? If they aren’t too big you could put them in a file folder.
Hello, I made my blocks of different sizes, I also one teeny well the final measure is an inch and a half, How should I send the picture? thank you very much my email is gracielarte@gmail.com
Your give-away is only for bloggers, then?
Good question. You do NOT need to have a blog or include a link to enter, just upload a picture to prove you made one. If you did blog about your block, feel free to link so we can read the post. 🙂
Very exciting! I only had a chance to make one or two of the blocks last year. I moved and just recently dusted off my sewing machine and pulled out my fabric stash. I am a beginner when it comes to quilt blocks, so this is a perfect start for me. :o)
Melissa
Who do we address the email, with our uploaded picture, to? I sent mine in, but haven’t seen where it is posted
This is the year I decided I want to learn to quilt and I just happened upon your blog! This is a great jumping off point for me. Thank you!
Could people of another country participate ?
I cant figure out how to add my bowtie block picture:( It’s my first one ever and even though its a bit crooked I’m very proud and excited!
Hi everyone.
This is my first venture into quilt blocks, I’ve only ever done one appliqué quilt before but I normally make children’s clothes. So after making the first block I have a question. How do I store the blocks for the next 12 months? I don’t really want to fold them because a 12 month old crease won’t be easy to get out.
Thanks everyone xx
First off, I have had great luck getting creases out of quilt blocks and tops by pressing with a hot iron and using spray starch or magic sizing.
But I understand your desire to not get creases in the first place. Can you store them flat anywhere, like on top of a shelf or book case (protected from dust, of course)? If they aren’t too big you could put them in a file folder.
Does anyone else have any ideas?
xoxo,
Caroline
Hello, I made my blocks of different sizes, I also one teeny well the final measure is an inch and a half,
How should I send the picture? thank you very much my email is gracielarte@gmail.com
Thanks and I I could upload my images, thanks for the giveaway