104 lines
4.5 KiB
Text
104 lines
4.5 KiB
Text
---
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title: "Benjamin: FreeSewing's Benjamin Bow Tie"
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sidebar_label: Benjamin Bow Tie
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---
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<DesignInfo design="benjamin" />
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## Designer Notes {#notes}
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Benjamin is the first design I have ever made for FreeSewing. I had just discovered Joost's site, then
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still called MakeMyPattern. The site only had designs made by Joost, and he invited others to help
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him. This seemed like something I could undertake. Since I had no experience with making patterns,
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my first attempt should be a simple one. The site already had a pattern for a tie, yet I prefer bow ties.
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So that would be something I could contribute.
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In the concept of MakeMyPattern was the possibility of patterns not only adapting to the measurements of
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the sewist, but also that patterns could change depending on the options one would like. So I tried
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to incorporate some options that I thought bow ties should have.
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The bow tie can be made to be tied traditionally, and it also allows for a specific band to be added
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that will make the bow tie adjustable. These can be found in speciality stores, and are available online.
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Because of the precision needed, and the curved seams, this may not be the easiest pattern to start
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with. But is is a nice one to help you use those scraps from other projects.
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Wouter
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## What You Need {#needs}
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To make Benjamin, you will need the following:
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- Basic sewing supplies
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- About 0.5 meters (0.6 yards) of a suitable fabric ([see Fabric options](/docs/designs/benjamin#fabric)). Left over
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pieces of a recent project could work too.
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- About the same amount of interfacing
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- Optionally: Bow tie adjustment ribbon and hardware
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## Fabric Options {#fabric}
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The bow ties you find in the store are typically make out of silk or some imitation silk poly.
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So it will come as no surprise that those are good options. Any type of fabric that you like
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the pattern or looks of can become a candidate for a bow tie. The only real limitation is
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that the bow tie will have to be turned inside out through a tube that is only 2cm across.
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With some thicker fabrics, this will be a difficult proposition.
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Bow ties are more whimsical than normal ties, so having a fun pattern or loud colour is not
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as much of a problem as it would be with a regular tie.
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Silk and silk imitation is slippery and tricky to work with. This can be compensated for with
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a fusible interfacing.
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### Interfacing
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Depending on the fabric you chose for your bow tie, you will probably need interfacing. Interfacing
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comes in two main types: fusible and sew-in.
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The fusible variety has some adhesive attached to one side that is activated with the heat
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of your iron. This attaches the interfacing to the fabric and the two can then be used as one.
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Fusible interfacing can be a great option if your fabric allows the heat required, and you
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use a quality interfacing. Some lesser quality interfacings can have the adhesive detach,
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and this shows as bubbles on the fabric surface later on in the life of your bow tie. Good
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quality interfacings and correctly following the guidelines for adhering the interfacing
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will not present these problems.
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Sew-in interfacing is sew into place before the fabric pieces are used. You attach the
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interfacing to the fabric by sewing the two together inside the seam allowance. If you use
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a seam allowance of 6mm, you will sew the interfacing at 3mm.
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Anything may work as a sew-in interfacing, including an extra layer of the same fabric.
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The key part of the interfacing is to give your bow tie the structure you like. You can have
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a bow tie that stands proud and crisp. Or one that droops a bit at the tips. This is all about
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your preference.
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It is good to experiment with the interfacing on a scrap piece of your fabric, specially with
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the fusible kind. You want to make sure you get the structure you like before committing it
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to your pattern pieces.
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Although the pattern calls for applying interfacing to all parts, if you have thick or stiff
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fabric, you may be able to only do one side, or no sides at all.
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## Cutting Instructions {#cutting}
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Benjamin is a rather simple pattern, but your options will determine what
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needs to be cut out. Below are two typical layouts.
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### Without adjustment ribbon
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- **Main fabric**
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- Cut **4 Bow** parts
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- Cut **2 Collar Band** parts
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- **Interfacing**
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- Cut **4 Bow** parts
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- Cut **2 Collar Band** parts
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### With adjustment ribbon
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- **Main fabric**
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- Cut **1 Short Bow** part
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- Cut **2 Medium Bow** parts
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- Cut **1 Long Bow** part
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- **Interfacing**
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- Cut **1 Short Bow** part
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- Cut **2 Medium Bow** parts
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- Cut **1 Long Bow** part
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