Holly Jolly How-To: Recycling Old Neck-Ties

OMG, a necktie project I hadn't seen yet!
It's a garland.

Who says it has to only be for Christmas?
How about a Valentine's Day garland?
Or???

Tied Down Rug

Tied Down Rug
Originally uploaded by texian39

Wow. I am so inspired by this.

It's a woven rug, made with NECKTIES!
She left the ends loose on either side, to act as a fringe.
(click on image to zoom)

Made by Texian39.
Note the fun weaving blog she contributes to, eLoomanator.

Sewing with Neckties

I've had quite a few people ask me for information on projects and instructions for making quilts and other items from recycled neckties.
So I'll share what I know.
I will probably post more on this soon, as there is much to say.

Why sew with neckties?
Well, first off it's a great form of recycling, and it's a fun way to use whimsical fabrics that often make bizarre neckties, but great quilting fabric.
Too, it's often a cathartic project in that people often use ties to memorialize a loved one (a mourning quilt, for example).

Are there any books available with ideas and instructions?
Most of the books with instructions are currently out of print, but you can sometimes find them on ebay or places like bookfinder (or their affiliates, like Alibris).
Unfortunately, they've gotten quite expensive--far more so than what they originally cost new.
These include:
Quilts from Neckties, by Sharon Newman (1995)
Tied Up!, by Gail Ellspermann and Frances Krupka (a Design Originals booklet, 2002)
Love to Quilt: Necktie Sampler Blocks, by Janet B. Elwin (1996)
Ties, Ties, Ties: Traditional Quilts from Neckties, by Janet B. Elwin (1996)
Threads and Ties that Bind: Exquisite Quilts from Tie Fabrics, by Jean Johnson (currently surprisingly affordable on Amazon)

and the only one in print:
Daddy's Ties: a Project and Keepsake Book, by Shirley Botsford.

How do I use the ties?
There are two ways of approaching sewing with ties:
using them as is,
or removing the 'guts' and using the fabric (including cutting templates, etc)
I do both, though surprisingly I more often just use the fabric.

How do I clean neckties, especially the fragile silk ones?
You might want to wash your ties first.
I combine all the fabrics in my projects--cotton, wool, silk, and polyester, but you can certainly only choose the silks if you so desire.
I throw all of them into the washing machine--the ones that disintegrate, well...better now then in your project. There may have been worn areas not visible to the eye.
Yes, I wash the silk ones too.
Don't just toss the ties in loose, or you'll get one big knot.
I take five or so, place them in a pillowcase, and close it somehow (rubberband or a knot).
Hang to dry.
The polyester usually washes beautifully.
The silks may come out all twisted, but if you're going to take them apart anyway--it doesn't matter (if you're not taking them apart, you might want to dry clean).
article about cleaning neckties

How do I take the ties apart?
Let them dry, then clip the two anchoring stitches on the top and bottom of the underside (horizontal tack stitches).
Once the tacks are snipped, you can usually take the thread and just pull it out in one swoop, thereby freeing the lining (so much easier than seam ripping).
Now you can iron the fabric and cut as desired.

What if I don't want to take the ties apart?
If you're making a skirt, or if you just want to use the ties 'as is', you can butt them up tightly next to one another and stitch them together with a triple zig-zag or similar type stitch.
And, as I just stated, you might want to dry clean.

Now, how about some inspiration, eh?
I love this unusual quilt by Lori Mason, called Ronny's Ties.


Dragon Top by Amy Weis of To Tie For

Skirt also by Amy Weis (her website is not longer active)


Maylina has some brilliant designs


Incredible rugs by Eileen Away


"straightjacket" by Bespoke by Brouhaha (I like this back detail)


pillow by Carol Sews
Blue Vest and Green Jacket by Joan Wells
Liturgical Stoles by Janet Armstrong
picture frame
Prom dress made from neckties on craftster
dress by Deviant Art
Vest by T Vindy
tampon cozy on craftster
Quilt on Dacia Ray
Quilt by Precious Relics

Items for sale
Fit To Be Tied--hand sewn clothing line out of Seattle
Necktie apparel
handbags from KB Originals
pail pattern, and crazy necktie pattern, from Henrietta's Handbags

Tutorials:
HGTV project for necktie handbags
handbag by Sonya Style
Schoolbag on CraftBits
Backpack with necktie handles, by Crafty Gal
Tie angel project
Snake toy
DIY project for reupholstering a chair
another source for reupholstering a chair


article about designer Frances Krupka

article about Pillows of Remembrance

article about bags made from Rudy Giuliani's neckties

My past posts about inspiration for sewing with neckties:
apron
magazine projects
images inspiration
dress
Easter eggs
my bookmark
tote
quilts
my first log cabin block
my second log cabin block
quilt photo
my pincushion
rug
my owl coin pouch
quilted box
tons of Laura's tutorials for purses, skirts and accessories
also Laura's zippered clutch

Posted on one of my other blogs:
Ipod cozy
pouch


There are also more inspirational projects (especially clothing) posted to my Flickr group, Sewing with Neckties.

Apron Inspiration

For those of you that love aprons, there's a great article in the July/August issue of Belle Armoire Magazine,
"Artful Aprons: Fit to be Tried".

I, of course, was especially drawn to the apron with neckties appliqued to denim

Ooh, mail goodness from Down Under!

Gina has noticed I love sewing with neckties.
She said she would find herself thinking about me when she'd see fun examples in Op shops (the Aussie term for thrift stores).

So we set up a swap.

I still have to send my swap stuff to her (I finally found some goodies).
Gina collected vintage embroidered linens.
Looking for items for her has given me a new appreciation for this craft.

My favorite ties are the novelty ones, or the unusual color combinations






Thank you Gina.

Sewing with Neckties

I hit the mother lode today, finding this article about different way to recycle neckties in sewing projects, from Smart Sewing Magazine, 1955.


I've seen necktie quilts where the points are off the edge as 'prairie points', but never as an interior border like this.
It would be a great way to salvage a worn blanket.

Or how about this braided rug?!



I love this idea of lining a coat.


The cap is a little scary, but the patchwork is a handsome way to use small scraps.

I'm exhausted

Well, I got nothin'.
But other people sure have some amazing creations--like this dress made with neckties from Outsapop.


I have been putting all my energy into my purse blog lately.
There are lots of new links, and a new post.
So please keep checking over there (or sign up with bloglines).
And make a bag too!

I will try to actually sew something soon and post it here.
I just haven't been in the sewing mood...

Necktie Eggs!

Vintage Lilac posted about this idea from Martha Stewart last year.
Monogram Momma made some this year, and she's got a tutorial posted!

So I got together with my friend Jen, and we dyed Easter Eggs using pieces of silk neckties.

It was so much fun unwrapping the fabric packages to see what magic was inside!
Definitely an oohs and aahs moment.

Look at the lily!


Three of the eggs didn't color, because one tie was polyester (oops), and the other two were hand-marbled designs in swirled colors. Perhaps somehow the colors had been permanently set, so the design didn't transfer.


We'll have to find ways to best wrap the eggs, because where the fabric folds or pleats, the egg remains white.
It was really easy though, really fun, and we'll definitely do it again next year!

Neckties!

I just started a group on Flickr.com called Sewing with Neckties.
So, if you have any photos of items you've made with neckties,
or ideas you've seen in magazines, etc....
please feel free to post them here.

Here're a few to get you started:
These are all from Quilt World Omnibook, summer 1988.


What I love about sewing with men's ties is the fabrics are often fun novelty prints that capture the decade.
Some ties from the 40's are hand-painted tiny works of art--which is why some people collect vintage ties and think people like me who cut them up are desecrating something holy.
I believe what I (and others) create from these items are also works of art, plus we recycle items that might otherwise be in a landfill. Too, from our attention to the items, we are bringing about another form of recognition.

Necktie quilts are often memorial quilts, using what were once a man's item of clothing to remember his life.
One of the few books still in print about sewing with neckties, is Daddy's Ties, by Shirley Botsford.

Note the fun border on these: