Three Dimensional Bowtie Blocks Another version of the same block shown below! You can make a three dimensional bowtie block quite easily, as long as you carefully cut and sew. To make an nine inch three dimensional bowtie, you will need two 5 inch squares of your background fabric and three 5 inch squares of a homespun plaid for each block. Other sizes below. Now let's start..... Carefully fold in half, right sides out, one of your bowtie squares. Do NOT crease this, just fold it gently in half. Place this folded tie square between a background and tie square, right sides together, with the fold in the center. Sew along the raw edges. Open up, and pull out the folded tie piece, remember, don't crease it. Now sew that together with the remaining background and tie squares. If the background is on the top of the first set, then it belongs on the bottom set this time. Open the knot piece and put both pieces right sides together, matching the center seam. (arrow shows center seams) Put seam allowances on opposing sides, one in each direction, so you won't have a huge lump on one side. Next sew both halves together. Open and press. You should have a 9 1/2 inch three dimensional bowtie. It will be nine inches when sewn into a quilt. Other sizes below. Here is the quilt with the plaid 3D Bowties.     And here is a quilt showing a new twist to the same block. Here's a new twist to the 3D Bowties. Because your knot is on an angle those edges become bias, which means they stretch easily, or fold easily. So let's just fold them back and put a new look to these bowties. I used the exact same process to make this block as shown above. As a part of the quilting I folded the edges of the knots and sewed around each one. First I carefully pinned, then sewed and when I was done the “knot” and block had a whole new look! Choose which size blocks you want to make from the chart below. Remember, these are finished (in the quilt) sizes.         Three inch finished - Cut 2 inch squares         Four inch finished size - Cut 2 1/2 inch squares         Five inch finished size - Cut 3 inch squares         Six inch finished size - Cut 3 1/2 inch squares         Seven inch finished size - Cut 4 inch squares         Eight inch finished size - Cut 4 1/2 inch squares         Nine inch finished size - Cut 5 inch squares         Ten inch finished size - Cut 5 1/2 inch squares         Twelve inch finished size - Cut 6 1/2 inch squares         Want a different size? To figure what size to cut your squares, you first need to know what size you want your finished blocks (size when in the quilt). Let's just say you want a 8 1/2 inch finished block, the size after it is sewn in the quilt. The block is basically a four patch block, so you would divide the finished size you need in half, and add 1/2 inch. So to make a 8 1/2 inch finished block, you would cut your squares 4 3/4 inches. (8 1/2 divided in half equals 4 1/4, plus 1/2 equals 4 3/4) This pattern can be used for personal use only and can not be used commercially without the owner's permission. No copies may be made without the owner's permission. This includes the patterns as well as any graphics and/or instructions that are associated with a pattern. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the Delaware Quilts and may not be used in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Three Dimensional Bowtie Blocks © Delaware Quilts August 2001 Updated September 1, 2025 |Home| Quilts| Email|