3-D Bow Tie Block

Good morning! Ahhh...Saturday! My day of sewing! I've had some requests for a refresher on the 3-D Bowtie Block. I've made these for years and have taught them locally. Some of my former students requested that I do a tutorial because they couldn't remember how to make this block. So I put together a little blog tutorial (with my crappy pictures...sorry). I don't know who originally came up with this fast, fun block so can't give credit. Can you tell from the picture that the center is 3-dimensional?

It's an easy block that looks hard to do. I usually do the bow tie part in all one color but thought that, in this instance, I'd do a contrast color so that you can see it better. First you start with 5 squares that are each 3.5" x 3.5". You can actually do any size block but this makes a 6" finished block.

First, take one background square (yellow) and the square you want for the center (green). Lay the yellow square with right side up and fold (but don't iron) the green square together and pin the 2 unfinished edges to the top edge of the yellow square.

Then lay a bow tie square, right side down, on top.

Next sew (with a 1/4" seam of course) down the right side of this stack. NOT the top with the pin but the right hand side.

See, the pin is at the top. Here's what it will look like:

Fold back both squares:

Next, put a yellow square behind the green strip and even up the right sides:

Lay the blue square over the green strip:

Sew down the right side again:

Fold back the squares and your block will now look like this:

Now comes the part that looks a little tricky but really isn't. Pull the green strip open so that you can line up the TOPS of the other squares enclosing the edges of the green strip:

I pin at the seams like this:

See, the edges of the green strip are inside this seam allowance. Now sew together:

Then you open up and press...ta da!

A bow tie block with a finished, 3 dimensional center knot. There you go Chrissie, Maude and Cora. Let me know if you have questions. I hope you have a wonderful day and find some time to sew! Cheery wave from Bev