Easy Bow Tie Quilt Block
A traditional bow tie quilt block has odd-shaped templates and tricky y-seams. There are different ways to make this block more easily, but this is the simplest method of them all.
This block is made by combining four small bow tie blocks. Each of those is 6″ square, so the full block is 12″ square.
Be sure to scroll down to see different layout options for quilts made with this block.
See it All
Below you will find:
- supply list
- video tutorial
- step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
Supplies and Tools
Everything you need to make this project
fabric:
- eight 3-1/2″ squares background fabric
- four 3-1/2″ squares each fabric 1 and fabric 2
- two 2″ squares each fabric 1 and fabric 2
other:
- four 2″ squares paper-backed fusible web
Video
Subscribe to Epida Studio on YouTube
Tutorial
This block will be 12-1/2″ square, since it will finish at 12″ in your finished quilt.
In the sample, fusible applique is used, but you can substitute your favourite method of applique.
Make the four patch units
Join the 3-1/2″ squares into four patch units.
Each unit will have two background squares and two squares of the same colour.
You will have a total of four units – two of each colour.
Applique the centre square
Following the instructions for your paper backed fusible web, fuse the 2″ squares onto the centre of the four patch units. Notice that contrasting colours are put together.
These should be 6-1/2″ square. You can use these as blocks or move on to make full 12″ blocks.
Block layout options
Join the four bow ties to make a full block. There are three different layout options.
Layout 1
In this version, all the bow ties are in the same orientation.
Layout one will give you a quilt that looks like this:
Layout 2
In this version, the bow ties all meet in the centre of the block.
Layout two will give you a quilt that looks like this:
Layout 3
In this layout, the bow ties go around the edge of the block.
Layout three gives you a quilt that will look like this:
Notice that although layouts 2 and 3 look very different as individual blocks, the full quilts are pretty similar. The are just offset from each other.