Douglas got his first bowtie earlier in the year, and has been wanting to add more to his collection. I sewed this one to give to him for Christmas, using BurdaStyle's David pattern. The fabric is a glen plaid suiting left over from a vest I made when I was first learning to sew.
I didn't make this bowtie adjustable, mainly because I couldn't find the right sort of sliders at Jo-Ann Fabrics. The pattern instructions are fairly confusing, so I basically ignored them and just customized the length of the bowtie to Douglas' neck size and handstitched the two pieces together. It was very easy and I'm pleased with the shape. I would like to find a way to make future bowties adjustable, so I think with a little tweaking I could make this over and over again.
Now the only difficulty is finding classy silk twill fabric... any suggestions? (I am personally averse to geometric or abstract prints -- very classic stripes, polka dots, crests, or other such "Old School" patterns would be acceptable.)
I'm a 31-year-old Christian. My hope is to live a quiet life filled with home and hearth, family and friends, loveliness and simplicity. I'm wife to Douglas (married October 2008) and mother to Edmund (born November 2009), Lavinia (born May 2012), and Rosamund (born February 2014).
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I really don't have any suggestions, except that you might find something at the thrift store you can cut up.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just noticed that you read "A City of Bells" - one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read! Do you know she wrote two sequels to it?
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, I was thinking along the same lines, if I can unpick a folded tie and steam out the crease lines, there might be enough fabric... we'll see! I didn't know about the sequels to "A City of Bells," but I will have to check that out. It was my first Elizabeth Goudge. :)
ReplyDeleteLaura, she wrote one about Henrietta and one about Hugh Anthony. Hugh Anthony - "The Blue Hills" Henrietta - "Sister of the Angels" (I think!) I hardly remember them, and should read them again, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm new reader and am really enjoying catching up on your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteA few Easters ago I made my little boy a necktie using the directions over at Purl Bee http://www.purlbee.com/. They recommend Liberty of London cotton. The finished tie had very nice drape and body.
It'd probably be easier to find long staple cotton than silk twill.
Rebwey, I'd love to try the Purl Bee necktie sometime! I was thinking a classic cotton like seersucker or madras plaid would look nice in a summery bowtie or necktie, but I didn't consider cotton lawn. Liberty of London is a little out of my price range, but I will keep my eyes open for other similar fabrics.
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