Guide To Tying The Perfect Wedding Cravat

A wedding cravat is a traditional piece of neckwear for grooms, often worn with a waistcoat or tailored suit. It is a fun project that doesn't require too many tools and can add a unique style to your wedding look. Making a cravat involves choosing the right fabric and colour, measuring your neck, drawing and cutting the pattern, sewing the fabric together, and finally, tying it in a way that suits the formality of the occasion.

Choosing the right fabric

When making a wedding cravat, choosing the right fabric is essential. Here are some tips to help you select the best material for your project:

Opt for Soft and Comfortable Fabrics

Cravats are typically crafted from soft fabrics, which offer greater comfort for the wearer and ease of tying. Soft materials such as silk, satin, or other similar textiles are ideal for creating elegant and supple cravats. These fabrics drape gracefully and lend themselves well to various styles and knots.

Consider Fabric Durability

If you're making a cravat for everyday wear, durability is essential. Polyester is a great choice for this purpose, as it is more robust than silk and can withstand frequent use. Polyester cravats can be just as soft and comfortable as silk, offering the best of both worlds. Additionally, polyester accommodates a broader range of printed or woven designs, giving you more options for customisation.

Choose a Fabric that Complements the Occasion

For formal events like weddings, silk cravats are the perfect pairing for a tuxedo or a suit. Silk exudes elegance and sophistication, making it ideal for such occasions. However, if you're attending a less formal event, polyester or other similar fabrics can be a more practical and durable choice.

Match the Fabric to Your Complexion and Outfit

When selecting a fabric colour, consider your complexion and the colour of your eyes. For instance, if you have green eyes, opt for bright colours like orange, green, yellow, blue, or red. Those with blue eyes can opt for pastel colours like pink, blue, purple, or white. Additionally, you can match your cravat to the colour of your vest or waistcoat for a coordinated look. If you're wearing a patterned shirt, it's best to choose a cravat in a solid colour to avoid clashing.

Create a Reversible Cravat

If you want to add versatility to your cravat, consider using two different fabrics to make it reversible. This way, you can switch up your look and style the cravat according to different occasions.

In summary, when choosing the right fabric for your wedding cravat, opt for soft and comfortable materials, consider the durability of the fabric, match the fabric to the formality of the occasion, and don't be afraid to play with colours and patterns to complement your unique style.

Gathering supplies

To make a wedding cravat, you will need the following supplies:

• Pins
• A sewing machine (or a sewing needle if you plan to hand stitch)
• Thread
• Scissors
• A steam iron and ironing board
• A measuring tape
• A flat work area, such as a table
• Pattern paper and a pencil
• A pattern pencil or chalk
• Two strips of fabric that are at least 9 inches (23 cm) wide and about 2.2 yards (2 meters) long. If you want to make a cravat that only wraps once around your neck, the fabric can be only 1.6 yards (1.5 meters).

You can use any pattern you like and any fabric, but cravats are typically made with soft fabrics that are more comfortable to wear and easier to wrap and tie. Popular fabric choices include silk, satin, or polyester.

Measuring your neck

To create a well-fitting and elegant wedding cravat, ensuring an accurate neck measurement is essential. This measurement will guide the entire construction process, influencing the fabric length, width, and overall design. Here's a step-by-step guide to measuring your neck accurately for a wedding cravat:

Start by standing in front of a mirror to ensure accuracy and ease of movement. Place a flexible tape measure around your neck, positioning it at the height where your cravat will be worn. Typically, this is just above your collarbones, allowing enough room for comfortable breathing and movement. Take the measurement in inches or centimeters, whichever you prefer, but ensure consistency throughout the process.

Gently wrap the tape measure around your neck, keeping it level and maintaining a comfortable tension. You don't want it too tight, as this will restrict breathing and movement, nor too loose, as it will affect the overall fit and appearance of your cravat. Record this measurement, rounding up to the nearest whole number if necessary. Consider any additional fabric needed for the knot and desired style. Typically, you'll add a few extra inches to the neck measurement to account for the fabric needed to create a secure and stylish knot.

If you don't have a flexible tape measure, you can use a piece of string or ribbon and then measure it against a ruler or yardstick. Taking your neck measurement a couple of times will ensure accuracy and consistency. This is especially important if you plan to make multiple cravats or want to double-check your work.

Remember, the neck measurement is just the starting point. You'll also need to consider the length and width of the cravat itself, which can vary depending on your personal style and the overall look you wish to achieve. Taking precise measurements is the first step toward creating a sophisticated and well-fitted wedding cravat.

Drawing the pattern

To make a wedding cravat, you'll need to first create a pattern before you can start cutting and sewing your fabric.

First, measure your neck. Take that measurement and subtract half an inch (1.3 cm), then divide that figure by two. Write this new measurement down as you will need it for the next step. If you are making a generic or one-size cravat, use eight or nine inches as your measurement.

Now, take your pattern paper and pencil, and draw a rectangle that is 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) wide and the length of the neck measurement you have just calculated. Connect this rectangle to an elongated hexagon that is 7 inches (17.8 cm) wide and between 21 and 31 inches (53 to 78.8 cm) long, depending on how long you want the finished cravat to be. The centre of the rectangle should connect with the lengthwise centre of the hexagon. When you are done, cut out the pattern.

Sewing the cravat

Once you have your fabric cut out, unfold the pieces so that the good sides of the fabric are facing inwards, towards each other. Pin the edges together.

Sew the cravat with a straight stitch, remembering to leave the bottom triangle unstitched so that you can turn the cravat the right way out. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of this seam. Use a quarter to half-inch seam allowance.

Next, snip the corners. Wherever there is a corner on the cravat, make a single snip in the fabric, bisecting the corner angle. This will help create neater edges. Just be careful not to cut the seam.

Turn the cravat the right way out. Once you've pulled the right sides of the fabric through, carefully press the edges around the entire cravat with an iron.

Finally, sew the bottom closed. Press the open fabric ends up, using the same seam allowance as before. Pin the edges together, then either topstitch the bottom or use a needle and thread to create a blind stitch.

Frequently asked questions