Stitchtale

Bow Tie quilt block

A little bow tie in squares and triangles. Old-fashioned and very cheerful.

8 steps, start to finishWatch the Bow Tie sew up, cut to press.
Sew a Bow Tie quilt

Try it in your colours · Design your own quilt with it

Try it in your colours

Tap a colourway, or pick each fabric. The film at the top changes too.

Colourways

Or pick each fabric

Love it? Find real fabric in these colours at the fabric shop.

Quilts made with the Bow Tie

Cut sizes for one Bow Tie block

Pick the finished size. Every cut includes the ¼″ seam allowance.

Cutting for one 6″ finished Bow Tie block
PieceCutQty
Point squaremain fabric3½″ × 3½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric3½″ × 2½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric1⅞″ × 1⅞″1
Half-square trianglebackground fabric1⅞″ × 1⅞″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric2½″ × 1½″2
Cutting for one 9″ finished Bow Tie block
PieceCutQty
Point squaremain fabric5″ × 5″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric5″ × 3½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric2⅜″ × 2⅜″1
Half-square trianglebackground fabric2⅜″ × 2⅜″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric3½″ × 2″2
Cutting for one 12″ finished Bow Tie block
PieceCutQty
Point squaremain fabric6½″ × 6½″2
Background rectanglebackground fabric6½″ × 4½″2
Half-square trianglemain fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″1
Half-square trianglebackground fabric2⅞″ × 2⅞″1
Background rectanglebackground fabric4½″ × 2½″2

In the film the triangle squares start a little big and get trimmed to size, which is the easy way to sharp points. The chart gives the exact cut if you’d rather skip the trim.

Good to know

What size should I make a Bow Tie block?

Any size that suits your quilt. 12″ is the easiest to sew, and 9″ or 6″ look lovely in a busy, scrappy quilt. It sits on a 6 by 6 grid, so a finished size that divides by 6 gives you friendly cutting numbers. The cut sizes for all three are on this page.

How many Bow Tie blocks do I need for a quilt?

At 12″ you need 9 blocks for a wall quilt, 12 for a baby quilt, 30 for a throw, 48 for a twin quilt and 72 for a queen quilt. Sashing or a border between them means fewer blocks for the same size.

Is the Bow Tie good for a beginner?

Yes, if you take it slowly. The one new skill is the half-square triangles, and the film at the top shows every cut, seam and press.

What's the trick to a neat Bow Tie?

Press the knot seams open. The centre sits flat and the knot keeps its shape.

Coffee and a few seams?

Start a quilt with the Bow Tie and we’ll walk you through every cut and seam.

Sew a Bow Tie quilt