DIY No-Sew Wedding Bow-Tie for Your Groom

This special DIY by David Stark Design doesn't require crazy sewing skills or a trip to a seamstress. With simple materials like bonding tape, a glue gun, and Velcro, you can take absolutely any fabric you want and transform it into a custom-made bow-tie. Make one for the groom, the groomsmen, the ring bearer, or even the father of the bride. And the fabric can go any way you want it, from formal to casual and from classic patterns to something a little more offbeat. Since you just need a little, try using a vintage scrap of something you love or a piece of fabric that means something to you and your family. We chose a more casual lightweight striped denim, perfect for an informal wedding or the rehearsal dinner. But this DIY works on silks and other fancier fabrics too, making it ideal for every event.

THE TOOLS

• Roughly 1/2 yard of fabric (your choice)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Iron-on Velcro
• Iron and ironing board or surface
• Pencil
• Stitch Witchery bonding tape
• Hot glue gun and sticks

HOW TO

1. Measure and cut your pieces. You will need one of each of the following pieces: 20x3.5", 6x1.75", 8.75x4.5", 9.5x5". If you're making a child-sized bow-tie, you'll need to adjust the size accordingly.

2. Working with the 9.5x5 and 8.75x4.5 rectangle, fold the two long sides to meet in the middle and iron to create flat folds. Stick the folds in place with your Stitch Witchery before folding the two short sides together, meeting in the middle. Iron these folds into place before fastening them with the Stitch Witchery.

3. Next you'll prep the two more narrow pieces. Fold the long sides of the 6x1.75 piece to meet in the middle and secure with Stitch Witchery. Fold in the short sides of the 30x3.5" pieces about 1/2" and iron. After that, fold the two long sides together to meet in the middle, iron down, and secure with the Stitch Witchery. Then, carefully fold the pieces in half and secure with Stitch Witchery again, ironing in place.

4. Take the two rectangles and stack the smaller one on top of the larger one, securing in place with a small piece of Stitch Witchery in the middle. Next, fold in half towards you and place a small dot of hot glue directly in the center and pinch. You may need to hold it for a few seconds for the glue to harden. Flip the pieces over and on either side of the fold, place a small dot of hot glue and pinch the bow the other way, holding in place to let the glue harden.

5. Assemble the bow-tie. With the bow facedown, use a little hot glue to attach the 20" strip, making sure to attach it in the middle. Next, glue one end of the 6" piece to the center of the back and wrap around the front of the bow and secure again in the back with hot glue, trimming it as needed to fit. To finish it off nicely, you can fold the raw edge under before securing with hot glue.

6. Finally, following the instructions included with the Velcro, iron on 3" of Velcro to the straps. Make sure to iron on opposite sides so they meet up to fasten together.