Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat

Want to dress up your cat? Give him a little pep to his appearance? This article will tell you vaguely how to do it.

Steps

 * 1) Either make the tie (instructions below) or use your cat's own collar and just make the bow.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Make sure you have everything that you need, listed below.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 2.jpg|center]]

Making the Bow Tie

 * 1) Take your two pieces that are 2.5 X 3.5. If you have altered the size, you will want to use the pieces that are the same size.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Pin the right sides of the material together and sew using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Be sure to leave an opening about 2 in wide on one of the long edges.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 3) * Be sure to backstitch the beginning and end of your work. This will ensure that it doesn't come loose.
 * 4) Trim the corners and the edges. At the edges, be sure to cut at an angle so that when inverted, the material won't bunch.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Using the opening that you left before, invert your bow.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Fold in the edges at the opening so that it looks like the seam you already created.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Iron and then sew the edges, with an 1/8 inch seam allowance.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Fold both of the pieces (the long way) and pin them.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Sew the long edge with a 1/8 inch seam allowance. Not the ends, just the long edge.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Using the safety pin, invert the two pieces.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 11) Once you have the pieces inverted, iron them so that they are flat.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 12.jpg|center]]
 * 12) * At this point, you should have a rectangle with a seam allowance and two strips for the bow.
 * 13) Hold the bow in the center and 'scrunch' it so that it resembles the bow that you are creating.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 13.jpg|center]]
 * 14) Take the shorter of the two strips and wrap it around the bow.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 14.jpg|center]]
 * 15) * Adjust its snugness so that it has the desired shape that you want for your bow. Once you know how long that you want it to be, cut off the unneeded length of the strip.
 * 16) Sew the ends of the strip together with the seam facing out with a 1/8 inch seam allowance. Next, invert the tube that you have just created and put around the bow. [[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 15.jpg|center]]

Making Your Cat's Collar

 * 1) Take the leftover strip that you have left from making the bow. This will be the piece that goes around the neck.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 16.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Fasten the bow to the strip using small stitches so that they won't be easily visible. Make sure that it is placed in a central location on it.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 17.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Add Velcro to the ends. Even if they are self adhesive, you will probably want to sew the ends of the strip and the Velcro to ensure that it lasts more than a few days.[[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 18.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Let your cat try it on![[Image:Make a Bow Tie for Your Cat Step 19.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * This will fit any size and type of animal, to include lizards, dogs, pigs, etc. All that matters will be the scale of the project.

Warnings

 * Cats can get tangled in anything wrapped around their necks. Don't let your cat outside in his 'bowtie'.

Things You'll Need

 * Scissors
 * Iron
 * Thread and needle or sewing machine
 * Velcro (preferably the iron on type)
 * Material / Fabric for the tie in the following dimensions:
 * one piece 1.75 x 12 inches (adjust for the size of your own cat)
 * one piece 2 x 5 inches (for the bow)
 * two pieces 2.5 x 3.5 inches (for the bow)
 * Safety pin or loop turner

Sources and Citations

 * Original research source - http://www.instructables.com/id/Cat-bow-tie-pattern/

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