Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
A family member recently died and left quite a few men's neckties behind. We are looking for a craft or something that can be made from them for his four children. (Please don't suggest the necktie skirts, that idea didn't fly). Maybe something like a picture frame, wreath, or something to hang. Any ideas? This would be for an adult male and 3 older teen girls.
By mom-from-missouri from Plattsburg, MO
On ehow.com there are instructions for how to make a necktie wreath or even a necktie quilt. Sounds fun! Hope this helps.
I am sure that you will find lots of ideas. You can use old picture frames, and wrap and glue the ties around. You may have to end up 'gluing' the backing to the frame as the fabric will prevent it from closing properly. You would then leave the top open, so the photo can be slid down from the top.
You can make bed or couch pillow covers from the tie fabric. Several ties can be sewn together to make a hanging earring holder. The person then just pins the earrings through the fabric.
There are multiple things I can think of that I would love to have made from ties, and hope you find lots of ideas, and hoping that the family loves them very much!
I posted a craft on Thrifty Fun showing how to make silk tie rose pins from men's ties. Here's the link and a photo: www.thriftyfun.com/
There is a really cool necktie wreath that someone posted here about three years ago and it doesn't need to be used simply for Christmas or only to hang on the front door. I can't find the instructions for it now but I know it's somewhere in the ThriftyFun archives.
I was wondering if you wash the men's ties before cutting and sewing them together? If so, do you use hot or cool water and do you put them in the dryer? What other process would you go through before cutting them into strips or what ever design you choose?
By Carol F. from Mesa, AZ
I would go by if they had been cleaned and never worn again. Many years ago my late aunt made a gorgeous quilt out of men's ties. I don't know if she washed them or not, but I know if she did, it was by hand and at that time she didn't have a dryer. She also ironed them.
All she used was the wide front part of the tie and in the sewing process she laid one tie one way, and then the one beside it she laid that one so that the wide part of it was next to the narrowest part of the first tie, that way she kept the shape of the quilt in a square shape, when she got the quilt the size she wanted it, she feather stitched around each piece in varigated colored thread. For the backing she used red satin fabric.
I make tie skirts from ties that people give me, and ties that I buy in thrift stores. Since I don't know how clean they are, I hand wash them in detergent and warm water by soaking them in small batches for a half hour in a basin, then rinsing until the water is clear.
I usually fill the basin for rinsing and empty it about 3 times. Then I take the dripping wet ties and finger smooth them and drape them over something where they can drip and air dry. The horizontal grab bar in my tub works well for this. When dry, I press with a press cloth if needed, then sew. Most of the time, the weight of the water pulls then smooth enough, especially if there is polyester in the fabric. Have completed 12 skirts to date, some to wear and some for gifts. Hope this helps.
Always check the fiber content of the tie; some are silk some polyester, etc. wash in cold if possible and line dry. some fabrics may stretch when washed. Good luck!
When I visited Texas last year I saw a antique chair and the seat had been redone by weaving vintage men's neckties for the seat. I would love the have the directions for doing this. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me with this craft information.
This is probably just conicidence, but I live in Copperas Cove, Texas and we have a little coffee shop in town and they have a chair with the seat weaved in neckties!! They have mismatched chairs and tables, and large grapevine hanging from the ceiling. It's a really cute place!
What can I make or do with lots of men's ties that I have?
By GL Langston
Many years ago one of my aunts made a gorgeous quilt out of a bunch of husband's ties. she used the basic shape of the tie and after she sewed them together she hand feather stitched around them, then she used red satin for the backing and used an old blanket for the middle part.
I saw a picture of a Christmas wreath made from ties having red designs in them. The ties were wrapped around a styrofoam form with the pointed ends on the outside edge. It was very pretty. I have not made one. It's on my list to get to someday.
Any ideas on how to make a name badge holder from a man's necktie?
By Carol O.
Check youtube or ehow website.
Not sure how the tie would be used but if it is worn like a tie try adding a clear plastic piece to the front by machine stitching and then leaving the top open for the badge.
Good luck!
I recently saw at a craft fair flowers (maybe roses) made using neckties. It looked like it had been folded and wrapped around itself several times, and the two pointed ends stuck out to the side. Anyone have any advice how to make this?
By Christine from Busan, SK
I googled craft of making flowers from men's ties, and found several sites. There is a good video at www.metcalf.com/make_a_flower_from_a_tie_or_ribbon_its_easy/
Check out the book "My Daddy's ties" it has great creative craft ideas...
I saw a Xmas tree skirt made from silk ties on Facebook. It was posted by Paula Dean. I sure would like to find a pattern for it.
By Irene
I don't know if this is what you are looking for but I found this.
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.google.com/
I found this by putting in neck tie tree skirt. Good luck!!
Can somebody tell me how to make the ruffled tie scarves using 2-3 ties each?
Did you remove the lining? And how long is the tie in the front, from the outer metal ring?
By Joann from Minoa, NY
This is a page about making a quilt with neckties. Making a necktie quilt is a great way to reuse old ties. Using neckties from someone special will make the quilt a cherished keepsake.
One fun recycled neck tie craft is featured on this page. Learn how to make an upcycled tie necklace.
This is a page about making a pillowcase using neckties. Neckties are easily available in either secondhand stores or in your own closet. This can be a great way to reuse sentimental garments as a beautiful keepsake.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I am looking for ideas with using neckties. Making angels, etc.
Does anyone have any craft ideas and instructions for reusing or recycling silk ties?
Craft tips using old neck ties from the ThriftyFun community. Just a caution for all those gorgeous and lovely ties, be sure whatever you make uses ties with the same washing instructions.