5-Minute No-Sew Bow Tie under $1: A Quick and Easy DIY

The velvet curtain slowly parts. A young magician steps into the warm glow of the spotlight. They take off their hat, wave a magic wand, and chant, “Abracadabra, Alakazam!”

As the magician reaches into their hat, you’re on the edge of your seat and think, “What will they pull out? A rabbit? Colorful scarves? The air fryer on my Amazon wish list?”

Bow ties.

Handfuls of bow ties.

As tiny drops of sweat coat your skin, the world around you begins to spin, and you sit straight up in bed, panicked, and yell, “I forgot to buy a bow tie!”

Relief. It was only a dream. Your heart rate slows with the realization you still have time to make a bow tie appear.

If you’re short on time and need a simple bow tie for a school talent show or a Halloween costume, this magical 5-minute No-Sew Bow Tie will do the trick!

I used this quick and easy bow tie DIY—tested by my non-crafty husband—to create handmade bow ties for our Magic Trick Trunk or Treat costumes. In less than 5 minutes, I made two no-sew bowties for under $1.

HOW TO MAKE A NO-SEW BOW TIE

TOOLS + MATERIALS

• Scissors
• Ruler
• Felt – 9″ x 12″ Sheet or 1/16″ yd
• 2 Safety Pins
• Pen
• OPTIONAL: Glue Gun or Needle + Thread

DIRECTIONS

1. Measure and Cut

Use the ruler and a pen to draw one 7/8″ x 3″ rectangle and one 2-1/4″ x 12″ rectangle on your felt. Cut inside the line you drew so the pen marks don’t show on the finished bow tie.

The ends of my rectangles aren’t straight because I used scraps leftover from another project. As I shared in Simple Tricks for Show-Stopping Costumes, you’re creating an illusion so embrace imperfection.

2. Measure and Fold

With the long edge of the 2-1/4″ x 12″ rectangle towards you, measure 3-1/4″ from the left end and make a small mark with your pen. Next, measure and mark 3-1/4″ from the right end.

At the marks, fold over the left end and then the right. Both ends will overlap in the center.

3. Pinch the Center

Where the felt overlaps, pinch the center into the shape of a W.

See how the center and sides are up while the in-between parts are down like a W.

When you flip the bow tie over, the front of the bow tie looks like an M or an upside-down W. The center and sides are down while the in-between parts are up.

4. Wrap the Center and Pin

Wrap the 7/8″ x 3″ rectangle around the pinched center, pull tight, and secure it with a small safety pin.

5. Attach the Handmade Bow Tie to a Shirt

For the Magic Trick Trunk or Treat, I attached a bow tie to the inside of each costume with a large safety pin.

THE MAGICAL NO-SEW BOW TIE

TA-DA! A no-sew bow tie in less than 5 minutes for under $1. Armed with the knowledge of how to make a bow tie magically appear, you’ll have sweet dreams of air-fried treats!

I’d love to see the bow ties you create with this 5-Minute No-Sew Bow Tie quick and easy DIY tutorial. Tag your photos on social media with @piggybankparties or #piggybankparties.