DIY Kids Tie Project

We Show You How to Turn an Adult Sized Tie into a Kid or Toddler Necktie

We frequently receive emails and calls from customers asking for advice on where to find kid’s neckties that match their favorite adult sized ties. While we do in fact offer a wide selection of kids sized ties, there are instances when you may need a very specific color or pattern for a special event such as a wedding, church, choir, graduation, etc. That being said, we’ve now created a free template and a simple 7-step guide that will allow you to turn any adult sized necktie into a kids as well as a toddlers sized tie.

Things you will need:

• Printed Tie Template: Kids Tie Template (ages 5-10), Toddler's Tie Template (ages 2-4)

• Adult Sized Necktie

• Scissors

• Seam Ripper

• Pins

• Fabric Glue (This one here works well for silk and synthetics)

• Iron

• Ironing Board

Step 1: Print out the Template

Chose your template size (see links above) and print it out. Cut each piece and tape them together following the end numbers as your guide.

Step 2: Open the Tie

Open the Tie Next, use a seam ripper to take off the loop and label on the back of the tie. Using either the seam ripper or a pair of scissors, undo the back stitch and open up the tie. Pull out any left-over pieces of thread. There’s only one thread that keeps the back of the tie together, so you’ll be able to pull it out easily.

Step 3: Iron Out the Creases

Pull the inlay out of the silk pocket at the tip of the tie. Set the inlay aside and lay the tie fabric completely flat and unfolded. Iron out all of the creases.

Step 4: Trim the Inlay

Pin the template on top of the inlay and use it as a guide for trimming off all excess fabric.

Step 5: Trim and Fold

Insert the trimmed inlay back into the silk tie pocket and make sure that it’s properly centered. Create a new crease that fits the new size of your inlay by folding one side of the tie fabric over and ironing from the bottom tip of the tie to the top of the tail. When you’re done, trim off any excess fabric.


Next, fold the other side of the tie over the inlay and iron. Trim the excess fabric while still leaving enough to recreate the folded pleat for a clean finish (see photo above).

Step 6: Glue It Shut

Carefully apply fabric glue to the extra fold of material you created on the back of the tie. Fold the material over onto and press down gently. Pressing too hard may cause the glue to leak out onto the visible part of the tie.

Step 7: The Finishing Details

Trim the extra material at the tail end of the tie off, then fold it over and glue it shut. This doesn’t look as professional as the end of a store-bought tie, but no one will be able to see it. Next, use the fabric glue to re-attach the back look in place. Note that you may need to trim it to fit the new width of your tie.


Step 7: The Finishing Details Trim the extra material at the tail end of the tie off, then fold it over and glue it shut. This doesn’t look as professional as the end of a store-bought tie, but no one will be able to see it. Next, use the fabric glue to re-attach the back look in place. Note that you may need to trim it to fit the new width of your tie. Let the glue dry for at least 2 hours, and then give the tie one more good ironing before wearing.

Your kid’s tie is now complete!

Now you’re equipped with the skill to turn all of your old neckties into kid’s sized ties for any formal occasion. And if you love your ties but wish they had a more youthful look, you can turn them into skinny ties by following all of the directions above but keeping the original length.


Other Suggested Articles:
Learn to Make Your own Bow Tie

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team