How to Make a Bow Tie Quilt Block the Easy Way – Beginner-Friendly
Finished Bow Tie Quilt Block
Out of all the versatile quilt blocks that you can make in minutes the Bow Tie Quilt Block is the easiest and most overlooked. Its simple construction makes it perfect for beginners. Experienced quilters like it because of its versatility. Recently, it has become one of my personal favorites and I think that you’ll like it too. Let me share with you this amazing quilt block.
In this tutorial, we'll walk you through everything you need to create your own bow tie quilt block, from cutting fabric to piecing it together, and share some versatile bow tie quilt patterns you can use to build an entire quilt. Let’s get started stitching this classic design into something uniquely yours!
About the Bow Tie Quilt
Bow tie quilts are popular because of their association with the Underground Railroad. Quilts were hung to send a message to the runaway slaves. A Bow Tie Quilt with a red center meant danger, keep going. While a black center meant safety.
An Example Of A Scrappy Bow Tie Quilt
Bow tie quilts are also popular because the combination of colors can be an excellent fabric scrap buster and create surprising ‘secondary’ quilt pattern.
Bow Tie Quilt Variations
And that’s why the bow tie quilt block makes the perfect fabric scrap buster. All you’ll need is three fabrics to make the amazing block.
Checklist and Supplies Needed To Make A Bow Tie Quilt Block
Be prepared for this project. See “Supplies”, “Fabric” and “Getting Ready To Sew”.
Supplies and Tools
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Quarter Inch Quilting Foot With Guide for piecing the block
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Applique Presser Foot
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Rotary Cutter, 6 x 24 Inch Ruler, 6-inch Square Ruler and a Rotating Cutting Mat
Closeup Of Supplies
Fabrics
Three different fabric colors are needed. I chose black, white and purple.
Fabrics
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Cut (four) 3-inch squares of black fabric
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Cut (two) 6-inch squares of white fabric
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Cut (two) 6-inch squares of purple fabric
Diagonal Line Drawn On The Black Square
How To Make a Bow Tie Quilt Block in 15 Minutes
The versatile bow tie quilt block can be made in two simple steps.
Making the black flip corner on each large square and then piecing the large square with flip corners to make the box tie quilt block.
Step One: Making The Black Flip Corner
Draw a diagonal on the wrong side of a black 3-inch square.
Diagonal Line Drawn On The Black Square
Position the black square on the corner of a large block.
Black Square Positioned On A Large White Block
Sew on the diagonal line.
Sewing On The Diagonal Line
Trimming the black square a quarter inch from the stitching line. Only trim the black square.
Trimming The Black Square A Quarter Inch
Tip: It helps to maintain the 6-inch square dimensions and stabilize the flip corner if you fold back the larger square before trimming the black corner square.
Closeup Of Large Square Corner Folded Back
Pressing the black flip corner square flat will create a square with a black corner triangle.
Pressing The Black Flip Corner Triangle
Trim the square with the black corner triangle to 6-inches square if needed.
The larger square fabric beneath the black corner triangle will help keep the black corner nicely aligned. Your 6-inch square with flip corner is finished.
Square With Black Corner Triangle Trimmed To 6-inches Square
Step Two: Piece the Four Blocks To Make The Bow Tie Quilt Block
Use the Bow Tie Piecing Layout for the sequence to piece the squares.
Bow Tie Piecing Layout
In your workspace position the four squares matching the 1, 2, 3, 4 sequence in the layout.
Piece square 1 to square 2. Press the seam to towards the purple (darker) fabric.
Squares 1 And 2 Sewn Together
Piece square 3 to square 4. Press the seam to towards the purple (darker) fabric.
Squares 3 And 4 Sewn Together
Rotate sewn squares 1 and 2 ninety-degrees so that it can pieced to rows 3 and 4.
Turn sewn squares 3 and 4 ninety-degrees so that they can be pieced to rows 1 and 2.
Squares Rotated 90-degrees And Ready To Be Sewn
Black Corner Triangle Seams Nested
The bow tie quilt block is finished. Now gather more of your fabric scraps or fat quarter collections to turn the bow tie quilt block into a pillow cover, wall hanging or the start of a quilt.
Finished Bow Tie Quilt Block
Are you inspired to tackle your wish list of DIY projects? Try these fast and fun Madam Sew blogs for project inspiration:
May your quilting always bring you joy!
Ernie Grant
Guest Blogger For Madam Sew
Ernestine “Ernie” Grant is an avid quilter with over 18 years experience and is the owner of the custom baby quilt business kalibabyquilts.com
As an African American living in Harlem, NY her view of quilting is shaped by her heritage and the elders who taught her–Quilting is not just thread, fabric and stitches. It is art, it is love, it is community.
