Boutique Bow Ties

It's not often I get to style four kids at once. Last weekend my girls and my godsons were all able to get fancy for a Fall wedding in the mountains of North Carolina.

I had fun putting the pieces together, but I knew I wouldn't be able to find the bow ties I had in mind. I did a little fabric shopping but before I got to the point of spending ridiculous quantities of time and gas running around I decided to head to my favorite thrift store that organizes clothing by color. Really, it's such a simple thing, putting things in color order. I was able to find what I wanted in about 30 seconds. Why doesn't every thrift store work that way?

Here's what I scored-- this looooovely Oscar de la Renta blouse for $3. I know, a pity to cut it up. But it was just the color I wanted and even had a nice subtle diagonal stripe. The highest quality polyester to be found, to boot.

To add the stripes that I had in mind, I first ironed interfacing onto the back side of the fabric. It gave the fabric enough body that it would stay nice and smooth for freezer paper stenciling. I cut strips of varying widths with freezer paper and ironed them on to the right side of the fabric. Then painted my black stripes with regular acrylic craft paint. Before the paint had a chance to dry I pulled the freezer paper off. Easy peasy, and exactly what I'd pictured. How often does that happen? Not very often.

To make the bowties, I followed this Lemon Squeezy tutorial. Exactly what I needed and I think I made them both in an hour. 

But... I did cheat a little. It was a classic crafterhours project-- well after bedtime. I decided to use twill tape instead of making the matching fabric strips for the neck since the boys were going to wear collared shirts. And because the boys were not accessible to me for a fitting at that hour,  I made the soft side of the velcro longer to make the bow tie adjustable. 

What was really amazing about it was that the boys didn't immediately rip them off. I don't think they ever took them off. With anything I make for any kid, I start by assuming that they won't wear it at all. Keep expectations low and then you're pleasantly surprised if they'll even stop to consider touching it. You just never know.

This being one of the most kid-thoughtful weddings of all time, there were special lunch sacks packed with kid-friendly food and a whole table of toys and games for them to enjoy.

Since we were on a farm, the kids could make all the noise...

and do all the running they pleased.

The room to run and make noise was much appreciated by all. I'm thinking that's why there are so few photos of the bow ties. There was hardly any sitting still until they all collapsed into their car seats long after the sun went down and just after the S'mores came out. In my book, that's a celebration worthy of hot pink striped bow ties made just for the occasion.