How to Make a Bowtie for Your Cat

Have you ever taken inventory of your life and realized that you're missing a little something? Ever think that that little something could be some gentlemanly vibes? Well, look no further because I'm here to tell you how to turn your feline friend into the best gentleman that has ever roamed your house.

• Fabric of choice
• Fabric scissors
• Matching thread
• Sewing needle
• Elastic
• Poly-fil stuffing (optional)
• Ruler

Picking out the correct fabric is important. One must keep not only the color of their cat but the personality of their cat in mind when choosing a fabric. Picking the wrong color or pattern could cause your kitty to suffer from a mixed identity crisis, which could be disastrous.

When picking out a patterned fabric, make sure the design is not too big for it will be lost in the tiny bowtie form. When picking out a solid colored fabric, consider how the fabric interacts with their eyes, fur, and overall complexion.

There are several ways to cut the rectangles depending on the initial shape of the fabric chosen. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve two pieces that measure 3" x 5" and 5"x 2" and are two layers thick. It is very important to note that these dimensions are not exact and one could increase or decrease the size of either piece in order to fit their respective kitty cat.

Now, in order to achieve the final size, it is easiest to cut a piece that is double either the width or the length and then fold it in half to the desired dimension. This makes the sewing step much easier since one of the edges will not require stitching. In the case of the long rectangle, which will later serve as the center of the bowtie, it may be longer than needed - this is fine.

Before beginning to sew, one must choose a thread of matching color so that any marginal errors in construction can be less easily noticed. For demonstration purposes, I am using a thread that stands out against my chosen fabric. Keep in mind when sewing any part of this project, that stitches must be kept small, for the final piece is so tiny that any large gaps between stitches would result in holes in the seams of your bowtie. Avoid this at all costs.

Fold both pieces in half with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew the long skinny rectangle along only the long edge (or edges if you cut out two pieces). Then use a pin, preferably of the safety sort, to turn it inside out, ensuring that all uneven edges get hidden inside of the piece and the correct side of the fabric now facing the world. Flatten out the fabric with the seam in the middle of one of the sides - this will be the backside of this piece - and set aside. It is important to note that when using basic quilting cotton, seams and folds can be pressed into the fabric simply with a firm crease using a sharp fingernail. Alternatively, one may take the initiative and pull out their iron from the depths of their grandparent’s boudoir, but this is a great deal of work and ultimately makes little difference to the final piece. If using another fabric, consider consulting your local Joanns representative for advice, but as a general rule of thumb: this is a bowtie for your cat - you really don’t need to bother pressing the seams. Moving on to the larger rectangle, fold it in half as well and sew it almost all the way around the edges. but leave a small - approximately one American inch - opening for which to turn the piece inside out. Then, after sewing, turn the piece inside out and press the seams flat as mentioned above.

If you find your fabric too thin, even when doubled up, you can add a small amount of fluff to give the piece more shape, a spine if you will. Although I have used poly-fil in this example, fabric scraps make an excellent alternative - simply cut into tiny little pieces before stuffing inside the bowtie. This step is ultimately optional, however, and if the fabric is stiff enough this step can be skipped altogether.

Now pay close attention, for this is a slightly more complicated operation. In order to close the gap previously left for turning the piece, you will need to utilize a ladder stitch. This will ensure that there is no evidence of your thread or gap and make for a more professional look. I will note, though, that in the end this is a bowtie for your cat and so if your cat does not mind the evident stitching then you may instead opt for the simpler, more basic in-and-out stitch used previously.

To perform a ladder stitch, first fold the raw edges of the piece inside of the piece so that the edges are in line with the rest of the piece. Then, I recommend beginning the stitch from the inside of the piece in order to hide the knot at the end of the thread. Start by inserting your needle into the inside of the fold from the inside of the piece. Then, with your thread emerging from one side of the hole, insert the needle through the other side of the fabric so that it is exiting through the inside of the fold, back into the inside of the piece. This entry point should be directly across from the initial entry point, perpendicular to the edge of the fabric. Then, moving up the hole slightly, insert the need back into the inside fold of the fabric so that it emerges from the exact edge of the fabric. Then repeat this process, moving up the hole until you have reached the other end and your stitches resemble a ladder, hence the odd name. Once finished, while holding the end of the thread with the knot, pull firmly (but not so firmly as to break the thread) on the needle allowing the tension to pull the sides of the hole closed and hide any threads. Tie off the thread and insert the needle back into the edge of the piece, exit anywhere on the piece, and cut off the excess - this action tucks the excess thread into the piece, ensuring no loose threads.

Now that the bowtie has been sewn shut, pinch the center of the rectangle so that it resembles a plush farfalle. While pinching the center, insert a threaded needle right in the center and then wrap the thread around the center a couple of times. Anchor the shape in by then inserting the needle back through the now cinched center and tying a knot.

Cut a small length of elastic, you won’t need much, but make sure there is a generous amount of overlap when rolled up. I use elastic to ensure that it will fit on any width of collar, but if the width of the cat’s collar is known, feel free to use another piece of fabric. Form the elastic into a circle and sew a few stitches where it overlaps itself. This will prevent it from reopening. Then take the long rectangle from earlier and, on the short side, fold a small portion of the edge over twice with the folded side landing on the backside or the side with the seam - this will make a nice and neat edge that also hides and loose threads. It is much faster to do these next operations in the same step, but for the inexperienced, it is fine to perform them separately. Place the elastic loop on the top of the folded over edge on the flat side, not the folded side, and sew through the folded edge and the elastic in order to sew the folded edge closed and attach the elastic.

Now, with your centerpiece ready to go, wrap the piece around the center of the bowtie, making sure the elastic is sitting right in the center back of the bowtie. Cut off any excess length from the centerpiece, but make sure there is a sufficient amount of overlap when you wrap the centerpiece around. Then, with the non-folded edge of the centerpiece lined up on the bowtie, insert a threaded needle right through the center to the other side of the bowtie. And then thread your needle back through the center to the backside of the bowtie so that the centerpiece is now anchored to the bowtie. Then wrap the centerpiece around, again ensuring the elastic is sitting right where it should be, then sew down the edge with the ladder stitch.

Complete! Now all you need to do is thread the elastic through your kitty’s collar and bask in the glory of your new tiny gentleman! *If your cat does not agree with the fabric you have chosen, try another cat that might be more agreeable*