RBD Block Challenge: Bow Tie Block Tutorial

Hey Friends! Hope you are well. Riley Blake Designs has been doing a fun and simple block challenge over the past several weeks. Have you joined the fun? Riley Blake is sharing a different classic quilt block each week and a Riley Blake designer shares a tutorial on how to make that block in two different sizes, 6″ and 12″. The blocks can be made into a pretty summer quilt or any project you’d like. I’ve enjoyed seeing all the inspiration! If you’re sewing along, be sure to use the hashtag #RBDBlockChallenge to share your blocks on Instagram. Check out the darling blocks people are making here.

Homeschooling two young boys has me arriving late to the block challenge party, but be sure not to miss the inspiring tutorials by wonderful Riley Blake designers. The links to the block tutorials posted so far are below. Stop and say hi!

Churn Dash Quilt Block – Amy Smart
Log Cabin – Rachel Erickson
Friendship Star – Bev McCullough
Economy Block – Amy Smart
Nine Patch – Christopher Thompson
Shoofly Block – Melissa Mortenson
Sawtooth Star – Amy Smart
Bear Paw – Amanda Castor
Maple Star – Melanie Collette
Bow Tie – (Me) Elea Lutz

Today I’ll be sharing a quick tutorial for the Bow Tie Block in 6″ and 12″ finished blocks. I’ve always loved this block and have used it many times in my quilt patterns. The fabric in this tutorial is from my Little Dolly and Bluebirds on Roses collections with Riley Blake.

Tools – Erasable fabric pen (or other marking tool), scissors, cutting mat, sewing machine.

6″ Bow Tie Block (6 ½” unfinished)

Fabric Requirements:
Light or white background fabric: (A) 2 squares 3 ½”
Solid or print bow tie fabric: (B) 2 squares 3 ½”; (C) 2 squares 1 ½” same fabric

¼” seam allowance

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both (C) 1 ½” fabric squares. With right sides together, place a (C) square on the corner of one (A) 3 ½” square. Stitch on the drawn line and trim seam to ¼”; iron flat pressing seam to the darker fabric. This partial Bow Tie unit should measure 3 ½ x 3 ½”. Repeat these steps again, making two matching blocks from the (A)/(C) squares.

Next, sew one (B) 3 ½” square to the right side of one sewn unit as shown below. The (C) square (now half triangle) should be positioned in the bottom, right corner.

Sew the remaining (B) square to the left side of remaining unit. The (C) square (now half triangle) should be positioned on the top, left corner.

Lastly, sew the top and bottom units together to get a 6 ½ x 6 ½” (unfinished) Bow Tie Block! It will be a 6″ finished block.

12″ Bow Tie Block (12 ½” unfinished)

Fabric Requirements:
Light or white background fabric: (A) 2 squares 6 ½”
Solid or print bow tie fabric: (B) 2 squares 6 ½”; (C) 2 squares 3″ same fabric

For the 12″ size block, follow the same steps above using the bigger size squares.

That’s it! Bow Tie Blocks are so fun and easy to make. I hope you get a chance to try all these classic quilt blocks and join us for the Riley Blake Quilt Block Challenge #RBDBlockChallenge on IG. You can start anytime. Be sure to check out all the inspiring blocks!