3D Bow Tie

Block size = 6 1/2"

Need = 2 x 3 1/2" squares, background fabric.

3 x 3 1/2" squares, contrast fabric for bow tie.

Directions.

• Fold one of the contrast squares in half, wrong sides together. This will be the center of the bow tie.
• Place a second contrast square on the work surface, right side up.
• Position the folded center square on the contrast square so that the fold runs vertically through the middle of the contrast square and raw edges are even.
• place a background square on top of the first 2 squares, right sides together. Pin in place.
• Stitch through all thicknesses of fabric , beginning 1/4" from the raw edges. Continue stitching past the mid point and complete the seam, stitching through 2 thicknesses to the raw edge.
• Open out and finger press seam allowances toward the background square.
• Reposition the folded center square by bringing the top layer of fabric up and to the left so the raw edge is parallel to the center seam. Now, fold the bottom edge of the center square up so that it is also in alignment with the center seam. the new fold formed by the square should run horizontally to the middle of the contrast square and diagonally from the middle of the contrast square to the left edge of the center. Keep the seam allowance of the background square out of the way.
• Place the second background square on top of the two contrast squares, right sides together. Pin in place.
• Stitch through all thicknesses of fabric at the center of the block beginning 1/4" from the raw edges.
• Open out and finger press seam allowances toward the background square.
• Pull the folded center square towards the second background square, aligning the raw edges of the center square with the top edge of the background square.(Note: as you are pulling the center square, keep the contrast square folded back underneath the first background square, out of the way of the center square.)
• Slip a finger into the pocket formed by the center square. Fold the right hand edge of the top layer diagonally back to the left so that it align with the center seam while the bottom layer folds back on itself. A new fold will be formed that extends to the middle of the background square.
• Place the last contrast square on top of the folded center square and background square, right sides together. Pin in place. Stitch from the center block as before.
• Open out and finger press seam allowances toward the background square.
• Pin the final seam in place by aligning the unstitched edges of the contrast and background squares with the two remaining raw edges of the center square between them. ( Note: the center square will be already folded accurately and will require no further adjustment.)
• Stitch from the center as before.
• Open out and press from the back, fanning seam allowances to lie flat.

©B Howell 1997-2006

Last updated 3 Sept 2006