Christmas Bowties for Dog Collars

I needed a little break after quilt market and decided to work on Christmas presents etc.  First up were dog collars and bowties for the canine boys.  I  looked around on the internet for tutorials but could not find exactly what I wanted.  Thus, I decided to make my own.

 

For the collars, I purchased 3/4" nylon webbing and deluxe dog collar hardware kits (also 3/4") from Country Brook Design. 

 

They also have a great tutorial on making dog collars.

 

 

Next, I decided to make detachable Bowties.  I have three medium-sized dogs so decided to make 4" wide bowties.

Step 1:

Cut a 6" x 8.5" fabric rectangle for the bowtie and a 1.5" x 6" fabric strip for the closing strip
(for lack of a better name).

 

Step 2:

Fold the large rectangle in half lengthwise, right side together, and stitch with a 1/4" seam.

 

 

Step 3:

Turn right side out.

 

Step 4:

Fold in half width-wise with right sides together and stitch with a 1/4" seam.

 

Step 5:

Press seam open and turn right side out.

 

Step 6:

Fold smaller strip in thirds lengthwise and glue shut with liquid stitch.

 

Step 7:

Lay closing strip on top of bowtie with raw edge side down. 

 

Step 8:

Pull together and pin.  You can even out the pleats after the closing is stitched together.

 

Step 9:

Using a zipper foot, stitch the sides of the closing together as close to the bowtie as possible.  
(You will have to move your needle position.)

 

Step10:

For a 3/4" collar, your tabs will have to be 1 1/4" long. Measure and iron.  

Make sure that one tab is folded towards the middle and one is folded away from the middle.

 

Step 11:

Cut a 5/8" piece of velcro.  I was lucky to have some red for the occasion.

 

Step 12:

Stitch one side of the velcro to the tab that is folded towards the middle and

the other side of velcro to the tab that is folded away from the middle.

 

Step 13:

Trim any excess velcro away and you are finished!!

Now, just fasten to your collar.

 

All three boys are now ready for Christmas!

 

 Here's Olivia's Max in his collar!