Over-the-Collar Doggie Bow Tie!

Look how handsome! Alison and I each picked up a few sacks of awesome remnants for super cheap from Sew LA's booth at Renegade Craft Fair last weekend. I don't know about you, but I love random assortments of pretty things. I started rifling and sorting as soon as Jonathan and I got into the car. Isn't it cool how a particular color or texture can give you a bajillion ideas?

First up, and super early to boot, I made Egon a Halloween bow tie! It slides onto his regular collar for extra security, and so he can be fancy and carry identification at the same time. What if he were to get carded at the door of some puppy soiree?

I'll tell you how to make one for your dapper pet after the jump. It's very easy.

Materials

Iron, Thread, Needle

(Sewing Machine Optional)

For a small to medium dog, you will need rectangles of fabric in these sizes:
3 x 11" (collar)*
6 x 8" (bow)
4 x 5" (bow ring)

For a large dog, you will need rectangles of fabric in these sizes:
Measure collar as described below*
6 x 11" (bow)
4 x 5" (bow ring)

*To make a size fitted to your own dog's collar, cut a rectangle the length of your dog's collar plus 1/2" by width at widest point of collar plus 1" (1 1/2" for big collars with fat buckles).  Double check the width before you cut by wrapping the fabric all the way around the collar, then adding 1/4" seam allowance.

For reference, Egon weighs eight pounds. I made his collar piece a bit long because he's still growing. It's fine to make it long. It will still fit, but it will scrunch a little bit on the sides of the collar, as you can see in the photos.

How-To

Collar Cover:

1. Lay your collar piece wrong side up. Fold the short sides in 1/4" and iron flat. Sew these flaps down.

2. Fold fabric in half lengthwise with right sides facing.

3. Sew lengthwise along opening with 1/8" seam allowance, backstitching at beginning and end (if machine sewing). Sew a parallel line just beside this on either side, for added reinforcement.

4. Turn tube right-side-out.

5. Rotate seam to back and iron flat.

Bow:

6.  Lay your bow piece wrong side up. Fold the short sides in 1/4" and iron flat.

7. Fold one long side up to the center of the fabric and iron flat.

8. Fold other long side to the center and iron flat.

9. Fold one short side in to the center. Iron flat. Fold other side in to center and iron flat.

10. Sew one line over each center fold, close to the edge of the fold, as shown. Backstitch at beginning and end of line (if machine-sewing).

11. Pinch together center of bow. Starting at the bottom of the center, hand sew up through the center of the bow, securing the cinching of the bow. Close to the first stitch, sew top to bottom and pull tight before tying off. (Depending on fabric, you may want to do this a few more times.)

Bow Ring:

11. Lay your bow ring piece wrong side up. Fold one long side in to center and iron flat. (Short sides are also folded in in photo, but this isn't necessary.)

12. Fold opposite side in to center and iron flat.

13. Fold lengthwise in half and iron flat. Fabric may not stay flat, but you can pin or hold it flat for sewing.

14. Sew as close as possible to open edge, as seen in photo, backstitching at beginning and end.

15. Rotate tube so that sewn edge is in the back and iron flat. Wrap around center of bow tightly. If the tube is too long, cut it down to size.

16. Fold tube in half, wrong side out. Sew together along short edge, backstitching at beginning and end. If you like, sew another line close to the first one for added stability.

17. Turn this ring right side out. Slide it onto the bow. This should be slightly difficult. :)

18. Tack the ring you just added to the bow with a few stitches, making sure no stitches show in the front of the bow. Don't go out the front of the ring. (I wanted to be more careful than usual about securing this bow because I don't want Egon to take it apart!)

19. Carefully stitch the back of the bow's ring to only the top layer of the collar cover (on the right side). Make sure not to sew through both layers of the collar cover, or you won't be able to get the collar inside!

20. Feed your pet's collar through the collar cover, and you're ready to party!

Awesome! I hope that was easy to follow. Let me know in comments if any questions arise. Have a wonderful weekend!