Crafts Using Neckties

Neckties are a popular, colorful crafting supply. They can be used in making new clothing, quilts, purses, and other projects. Use the ones you have around the house that are no longer fashionable or check out the thrift store for a new supply. This is a guide about crafts using neckties.

Solutions: Crafts Using Neckties

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Sneaky Snake

If you have an adult male in your home, you are bound to have a huge array of ties. And if it is anything like at my house, I'll bet that many of those ties go unworn year after year! Don't let those old ties go to waste - instead, create a quick, easy, and adorable snake for your child's stuffed animal collection!

Materials:

Old tie
Polyester Fiberfill
Wire coat hanger
2 googlie eyes
Pipe cleaner

Tools:

Needle and thread
Glue Gun
Scissors

Instructions:

The body of the snake is first:

Unbend the wire coat hanger so that you have a long, relatively straight piece of wire. You may need to clip off the hooked end of the coat hanger if you can't get it undone.
Lay the tie on a table, face down. You will see that the tie is hollow. Start pushing fiberfill into the hollow of the tie starting at the wide end.
As you get more fiberfill into the tie, you will need to push it down to the other end using the straightened out coat hanger. Be sure to fill the entire tie with fiberfill.
Once the entire tie is filled, thread the coat hanger into the tie. This will allow your snake to be twisted and posed.

Now it is time to create the head and the tail:

The wide end of the tie has a lining. Pull the lining away from the tie and stuff this area with fiberfill.
Using your needle and thread, sew the lining edges together so that no fiberfill can leak out.
Repeat STEPS 5 and 6 on the small end of the tie to create a tail.
Using the hot glue gun, glue on two googlie eyes.
Cut your pipe cleaner in half. You will only need one of the halves.
Bend the pipe cleaner half in the middle.
Using the hot glue gun, glue the pipe cleaner on the point of the head to create a tongue.

Once the hot glue is dry, you can coil your snake! My daughter coils hers around her bedpost and it is a great conversation starter when she has friends sleep over!

Additional Ideas: Add dried beans to the tail instead of fiberfill to create a "rattle" snake!

By Teri Clark

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Tie Door Wreath

This is a masculine take on a Christmas door wreath. My father-in-law is in Assisted Living. All the ladies have holiday decorations on their doors. I thought this would be cute for the gentleman's look.

Approximate Time: 1 hour

Supplies:

Fabric tacky adhesive
Scissors
15 to 20 ties
14 to 18 inch wire wreath frame
Wreath hanger for over the door
Tape measure or ruler

Instructions:

Take about 15 - 20 clean ties, according to how big the wreath frame is. Cut them 12-13 inches long. Measure from the wide end.

Lay the frame back side down. You will be working from the front. Wrap the tie around the wire. Be sure the wide point is facing towards the outside of the wreath. Pull it tight enough so it lays straight but does not wrinkle. After you position the tie where it should be, lift it up and put your glue on the layer underneath the wide end as in picture #2.

After the first one is done (picture #3), Do the next one and overlap the edge of the 2nd one. Keep going in the same direction all around the frame overlapping edges just a little. You can slide the ties closer together as you get to the end and might need more room for the last one.

As you look on the back (picture #4) you can see they are each rolled into nice compact tight rolls. This way they will not roll around on the frame. You can sew each edge together on the back, if you wish. I did not.

Take a slimmer tie and tie in a bow to accent the wreath. Hang on the door using a wreath hanger.

By D.Lockwood from Millbury, OH

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Questions

Here are questions related to Crafts Using Neckties.

Crafts Using Neck Ties

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

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Most Recent Answer

By Poor But Proud11/10/2010

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en& ... EGHbTMSnOJXEiQPf4LiiCwAAAKoEBU_Qhp3c

I found this by putting in neck tie tree skirt. Good luck!!

Decorating a Chair With Neckties

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.

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Most Recent Answer

By Della Mano Designs (Guest Post)06/17/2008

Hi,
I teach a course in weaving chair seats out of neckties. The next time you're in Maine, please stop in and I'll show you some. Or, better yet, sign up for my weekend class and enjoy a vacation in Maine! Check it out at http://www.artnightout.com/ . The next necktie class is in October! Thanks and good luck -
Diane Dellamano Brakeley
Della Mano Designs

RE: Decorating a Chair With Neckties

Cell Phone Cover Made from Neck Ties

I would like a pattern for cell phone covers made with neck ties.

By srbarton from Corning, IA

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Most Recent Answer

By Moonbeams06/27/2010

2 easy methods:
1: Slip your phone into the middle at the widest end of the tie, and stitch up the sides to the correct length/height to form a pocket.
2. You will likely need to sew up that middle seam in the wide end front a bit, to close it up.
3. Flip the top over the this pocket, and cut off the excess tie. Sew up your seams
4. Either use velcro dots to close, or add a snap to close.
5. Sew a clip onto the top or a top edge so you can clip it onto your purse straps, a pant belt loop etc.
Embellish with whatever makes you smile.

Second version:
1. Fold the widest end of tie up as far as required to create the pocket for your specific phone.
2. Flip over the other end of the tie down until you have the correct amount of fabric to cover and close it properly.
3. Cut the tie at the right length, sew the seams to create your pocket, and lid cover
4. Add a snap or velcro to the ends as a quick method to keep it closed.
5. Embellish to your hearts content and you could add a length of cord -sewn tightly onto each top end, so you could wear this around your neck.

Sure hope this makes sense to you. Have the tie and cell phone in your hand and do the steps with them as you read along, it may help clarify.
Best of luck. You can do this!

Crafts Using Men's Neckties

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

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Most Recent Answer

By Skibum191004/02/2011

Check out the book "My Daddy's ties" it has great creative craft ideas...

Memorial Crafts Using Men's Ties

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 April from Plattsburg, MO

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Most Recent Answer

By Anonymous12/07/2011

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. Maybe someone else remembers it and knows how to find it? Contact ThriftyFun through their contact button and they should know how to find the original instruction link for it.

RE: Memorial Crafts Using Men's Ties

Crafts Using Men's Ties

What can I make or do with lots of men's ties that I have?

By GL Langston

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Most Recent Answer

By Happy0506/12/2012

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.

Craft Ideas Using Men's Ties

I have a collection of old ties and would like new ideas for using them in sewing or quilting projects.

By Kathy E.

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Most Recent Answer

By thriftmeg08/25/2011

Grandmothers Fan quilting pattern lends itself nicely to the use of ties, also dresdan plate. I recently saw where ties were used to cover the shade of a bedside lamp and it looked lovely. I myself am going to try making wind socks with some ties I have collected with a christmas and halloween theme.

Preparing Ties for Quilting

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

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Most Recent Answer

By CJean09/24/2012

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!

Previous: Making a Pillow Casing Using Neck Ties

Next: Crafts Using Old Jeans

Crafts Using Men's Neckties

I am trying to find photos of a rug or quilt made from men's old ties. Will someone mail me a photo and an instruction book? I'm 77 and need a post retirement project. Thanks.

Bill

RE: Crafts Using Men's Neckties

There are probably all sorts of different styles but here is how one quilt was made with ties:

http://huntsville.about.com/od/tips/a/silktiequilt.htm

For inspiration there is a photo group at flicker where everything is made with ties. Just click on the particular "tag", like quilt or rug. http://preview.tinyurl.com/3tp97m

This blog is all about things made from ties:

http://sewingwithneckties.blogspot.com/

Good Luck on your project! (12/17/2008)

By Kaelle

Crafts Using Men's Neckties

I need patterns to reuse or re-purpose neckties. Thanks.

By C.L.

RE: Crafts Using Men's Neckties

I have a an 8 page booklet of "Create a Tie Doll" and also a one page leaflet to make a pet "snake". If you are interested, let me know and I can scan and send via email. Thanks.

Elaine aka myantoo (04/09/2009)

By myantoo

RE: Crafts Using Men's Neckties

I just read about men's silk neckties. If they have an interesting pattern on them you can use them to dye your Easter eggs. They said to wrap your egg in the tie using rubber bands and let them sit in boiling water that has 1 Tablespoon white vinegar added for 20 minutes. This is of course if you can't find any uses for the ties. (04/10/2009)

By castleberrycc

RE: Crafts Using Men's Neckties

I read somewhere that you could take old silk ties, rip out the seams, iron the tie flat, then piece with another tie prepared the same way and stitch together. Continue the process until you have a nice quilt top or wall hanging. (04/10/2009)

By Dibbs

RE: Crafts Using Men's Neckties

Make a vest out of them. Take your vest pattern, cut it out of polycotton or interfacing, etc. Fabric shop can help with ideas. Then take pieces of the ties and over lay like quilting, many ways to finish them. I have some beautiful vests done with little pieces of special fabrics. Lining should be a plain polyester that can give structure. (04/13/2009)

By TandT Grandma

Crafts Using Neck Ties

Use Necktie on a Scarecrow.

Craft tips using old neck ties from the ThriftyFun community.

Watch Washing Instructions And Other Tips

Just a caution for all those gorgeous and lovely ties, be sure whatever you make uses ties with the same washing instructions. It is disastrous to combine washable and non-washable ties in one craft, I learned to my sorrow. Be sure and let any recipients know if the ties CANNOT be washed.

You can make a great windsock with old ties and a tall plastic container. Cut out the bottom, punch holes in the narrowest opening, add the 4 strings (kite string works best) and knot together, add a swivel hook (fishermen know what that is). Fold under the narrow end of each tie and staple. Then using an exterior glue, glue the ties close together around the plastic container, leaving the wide point of each one hanging down for the streamers. Pick matching or coordinating, or go tropical for summer.

By thriftmeg

Chair Back

At a coffee shop once, they had a ladder-back chair seat made of ties. It looked really cool!

By suzi homemaker

Curtains

You could use them as funky tiebacks for curtains, I saw that once on a decorating show and it looked really neat!

By Madelynnsmama

Angel and a Snake

You don't have to be too crafty for this angel:

Tie Angel

http://www.bluebonnetvillage.com/tieangel.htm

And this one came from this website:

Sneaky Snake (Made With Men's Ties)

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf621837.tip.html

By angelsmom10

Ties Skirt

Many years ago a friend made a skirt of old ties. Surely someone out there has a pattern for it. The wide pointy end was at the bottom of the shirt. Seems like it was about mid-calf length. And very colorful.I think the waistband was about 2 inches wide with a side zipper. And a tie added for a sash. I still have two of my fathers ties. He has been gone for 23 years. I use them to display his tie tacks. Most of which he made.

By Great Granny Vi

Christmas Tree Skirt

I saw a Christmas Tree skirt one time. The ties were just tacked together around the base of the tree except for two ties that when they met had hooks on one side and eyes on the other. That way you can undo it later and put it away for next Christmas.

By Susan

Purses And Clothes

I make purses from old neck ties, I have also sewn them on skirts and jeans they are really fun applique on they are on the bias so you can go anywhere. Also cut out the interfacing and press and cut bias strips to bind jacket labels, hems hats etc. (12/01/2006)

By Jackie

Make A Vest

They make beautiful vests, I have seen these on a sewing website several years ago.

By Betty

Necklace

I have seen necklaces made with a tie. You load the tie with a bead then put on a bead that you can see then again put a bead inside of the tie and so on. I have seen these and they very pretty. I don't have the full instructions though.

By sandy63

Use As A Belt

I saw a cute idea in the Family Fun magazine. You make belts with them. It sounds weird, but they are actually really stylish right now. Just look on their website under neck tie belts, and you should be able to find them. Looks really easy too! Good luck!

By thriftymomof2

Use In A Shadowbox Frame

You could take a shadow box frame and use the ties as a border to "frame" pictures of your father with the children. With a shadow box frame, you just use pins, so the ties won't be damaged. You can personalize them by putting in pictures of the kids with their grandpa an make a gift for each of your children. I have to say one of my most beloved and treasured family pictures is my grandparent's engagement picture.

By Carrie029

Snake Door Draft Catcher

Once you make all those wonderful suggestions above, give the cast offs to teachers to make Door Draft Catchers. It's this fast and easy kind of craft that teachers love! My Sunday School class did these for Father's Day. Unstitch the narrow end of the tie and stuff the center with batting or other filler. (Most ties will require reinforcing of the opposite pointed wide.) Stitch it closed! Then take the wide pointed end of the tie and glue on eyes and a felt tongue. Voila`! Instant Snake Door Draft Catcher.

By galoosh

Pillow

Cut about 18 inches from the narrow end of the ties and then use these pieces and weave them in to a square. Cut a square from a piece of material and sew this onto the outer edge of the ties. Fill the inside with stuffing and you have a pillow.

By Selma

Necktie Pillow By Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart featured a decorative pillow using old neckties which looked great. If you're interested, check out her website at http://www.marthastewart.com and search on necktie pillow.

By Claudia

Dad's Ties In A Skirt Or As A Memory Quilt

My dad just passed away and he too had a collection of ties. One of the ideas that I had was to make a skirt from the ties. With the rest that we have, we're going to have small quilts made from them that us kids can pass onto our kids.

By Mara

Neck Tie Quilt

My aunt made a fabulous quilt using old ties. She made a "star" pattern in the middle laying the ties in a circle and stitching them together. Then filled in the rest with other ties. She may have cut the ties in half - I can't remember. Good luck - this could be a fun project.

By Pam

Quilt With Matching Pillow

My sister made a beautiful quilt from her hubby's ties. A quilted throw pillow cover would be nice too. I'd just sew them together on the sewing machine. They don't have to actually be quilted. Rip the seams. Lay them end to end. Sew on the machine. It will be like a "crazy" quilt pattern, I think. I'm not a quilter or crafter, but I think it would work.

Warm regards!

By Carol in PA

Quilting Patterns For Neckties

There is a quilt pattern called Dresden Plate which you can use to cut and join your ties. Another pattern you might consider is Grandmothers Fan. You don't have to make a quilt, of course, but it's nice to have the patterns for the ideas. There is also a book about making quilts and things from neckties. I think the title is something about "Your father's neckties." I wish I could remember the correct title for you.

By BLINDQUILTER

If you have an idea to share, post it below.

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

Hi. I am collecting ties to make a quilt. My grandmother made quilts out of ties and they were beautiful. She would open up the ties and put them on a sheet and then the batting and back piece. I am 60 and have had one quilt for many years. My grandmother died when I was 10 so have had it for many years. My husband loves it on the bed because it is so warm and heavy. Barb from Rothbury, Mi (10/03/2007)

By dameemag

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

I make chair covers by weaving neck ties. I also make neck tie pins. They are beautiful. (08/05/2008)

By Beverly Nutter

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

I make Christmas wreaths out of old neck ties. I make them for the Christmas fair in the 'special needs' center where I work and they sell extremely well. Three ties are platted together then formed into a double ring and stitched by hand. Small ornaments or pine cones and berries can be added at this stage. Try it, it's a great way to use old ties. (11/09/2008)

By Irene H-B

Crafts Using Neck Ties

Does anyone have any craft ideas and instructions for reusing or recycling silk ties?

By sumarks from Minneapolis, MN

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

Make skirts with them. (12/24/2009)

By kffrmw88

Crafts Using Neck Ties

I am looking for uses for men's ties.

By Janet from Indianapolis, IN

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

Wow! I was about to post this neat craft I found before I saw your question. (I was searching for a craft question about Valentine's boxes that I saw a few days ago). Anyway, here's a really pretty bag you can make, called a Neck Tie School Bag (it looks like a clutch purse) at Craftbits.com (I'm a member there, and it's great! There is a growing supply of crafts there!)

craftbits.com

God bless you and Happy Valentine's Day! (02/08/2010)

By Erin813

RE: Crafts Using Neck Ties

I've done dyeing the Easter eggs using silk ties. Wrap the egg(s) in silk tie using rubber bands. Boil eggs for hard boiled eggs. The pattern on the tie will be on the egg. And I found that each tie will make 10 eggs. Also, you could make a skirt or a quilt out of ties. (02/14/2010)

By castleberrycc