Bow Tie Block Assembly

Bow Tie Quilt Block

Make this traditional Bow-Tie Quilt Block on a 4 thread serger. LeaAnne Bethany, LeaAnnes Sewing Studio @2024

This block is made from 5 indiividual square block pieces. They can be any size really, but it's easier to learn using larger square block. For this instance we will use 10" square block peices and end up with about a 19" square quilt block. The smallest piece block size I would attempt would be 5" squares, which would yield about a 9" block once squared up.They can be from 2 or 3 different patterns. You need:

• 2 piece blocks from pattern A - background, "shirt"
• 2 piece blocks from pattern B - the Bow Tie "Ends"
• 1 piece block from pattern C or it can be from pattern B, the "knot"

Ends 1 pieces

Ends 1 piece

Knot - 1 piece

Background - 1 piece

Background - 1 piece

Serger Setup - 4 Thread Overlock Stitch

• Stitch Selector - A
• Length 2.5
• Width - Small as it will go 3.0
• All 4 threads
• Overlock position
• Knife engaged
• Differential Feed - N

Take out

• 1 tie end,
• 1 Background
• the Knot piece.

Fold the Knot piece in 1/2 WRONG Sides together

raw edge

Knot - Folded WS together

Folded edge

1 Background (Shirt) Wrong side up

1 Tie End Right Side Up

Knot - Folded

raw edge

Folded edge

1 Background (Shirt) Wrong side up

Assemble as a sandwhich:

• Bow-Tie End - RS up
• Knot - folded WS together -raw edge up
• Background - WS up

Sew the long edge (You will have the raw edges of the Knot facing the top. There will be 4 layers in the top 1/2 of the seam, 2 in bottom 1/2 of seam). Press seam and open and press

1 Tie End Right Side Up

Press to watch video of what it looks like when done

Your piece should look like this opened up - Press seam

Knot - Folded

raw edge

Folded edge

Background Right Side up

Press to watch video of what it looks like when done

raw edge

Folded edge

Knot - Folded

2nd Tie End Wrong Side Up

1 Background (Shirt) Right side up

Press to watch video of how to setup this seam

Sandwhich 2nd side

• Background RS up 1st (bottom layer of sandwhich
• Knot (the left side you just finished is open to the left - just not shown in picture.)
• Tie End WS on top

1 Tie End Right Side Up

raw edge

1 Background (Shirt) Right side up

Knot - Folded

Folded edge

Press seam and open (Looks like Sponge Bob Square Pants shorts when open)

Press for Video

Knot - Folded

raw edge

Folded edge

1 Tie End Wrong Side Up

1 Background (Shirt) Right side up

Now you have a piece that looks like the bottom half of "Sponge Bob Square Pants," but one leg is out of 1 pattern - the "tie ends," and the other leg is out of another pattern - the "background / shirt." You should see the right of all the fabrics

Knot - Folded

raw edge

Folded edge

1 Tie End Wrong Side Up

1 Background (Shirt) Right side up

Once folded and nested you will sew one long seam. Press video to see process

Explanation of Video

• Open the middle piece, find the horizontal 1/2 way point.
• Match and nest what were the edge seams
• As you do this "Sponge Bob's" pant legs will open up at the seams.
• Place them together, matching at top and clip
• Sew long seam, it will be "fiddley" so go slow, and concentrate on one 1/2 at a time,
• Pivot as you sew through the middle, and the 1/2 you have sewn will bunch up, that's ok, keep the part you have NOT sewn straight

Press video to see result of seam

When done, and pressing, be careful to not press "knot" of bow tie, as the seams will "shadow" through. You can place fabric under folded edges on all 4 sides of the knot if you need to press, and the seams will be less visible. You can cut the "knot" square 1/2" smaller than ends and that will make the reult a little more proportional to the ends. This is due to when you set the block in with others you will have 1/4" seam on each side where the blocks join.

Final Note: When squaring up, the center of the know will cause the ruler to rock due to the thick seams. I use the slots in a "Stripology" ruler. and the block is more stable for cutting. Have fun making these blocks and find all types of geometrical shapes as you sew your blocks together.