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Beyond the T-shirt

Necktie Quilts - What You Need to Know

March 23rd, 2020

By Andrea Funk

Necktie QuiltWe have used neckties as part of T-shirt quilt, but we had never made an entire quilt with neckties. So when we had a customer ask us to make a quilt from neckties, I was intrigued with the challenge and excited with what my team and I could come up with.

The necktie quilt we made far exceeded my expectations! I love the solution because it’s interactive and fun. First, all the blocks are puzzled together like our standard T-shirt quilts. Then each tie is given its own block and each is sewn down in its own unique way. Below is the story our customer shared with us about how the necktie quilt came about.

A couple years ago my brother-in-law passed away at the age of 55. A short time later his wife sent me a package containing some of his ties and a note stating that she would like his daughter Carine to have something to remember her father by. She thought that since I am so creative that I could think of something to do with them for her. 

Well I thought for a while and then remembered the two wonderful T-shirt quilts that Andrea made for me out of some of my mother's clothes. I contacted Andrea and told her I had 7 ties and she said that she could make a small pillow.

quilt made from necktiesAfter speaking with Andrea, I thought some more. I asked my father-in-law, Carine’s grandfather if he had any ties. He sent me 17. Getting into the spirit, my husband, Carine’s uncle, came up with 7 more ties. Then, I added in 3 of my mother-in-law’s (Carine’s grandmother) hankies. I had inherited these when she passed away.

So with a total of 34 ties and 3 hankies, I got back in touch with Andrea to see what she thought. When I hung up I was so excited by her enthusiasm.

I have just received the finished quilt and it has created a huge problem for me! I love it so much that it is going to be hard for me to part with it!!!! Andrea and her crew did such a wonderful job. The hankies, add a little bit of a feminine touch, especially the 3 dimensional one. The names on each item will remind her how much she is loved, by her father/grandfather/grandmother and uncle!

Oh my, Andrea you outdid yourself!!!   Terri Geiser

Do you have neckties you are interested in turning into a quilt? If you like our approach, we would be happy to make a necktie quilt for you. The intricate work that goes into a necktie quilt lengthens the time it take us make the quilt, thus the price is higher than it is for a traditional T-shirt quilt. If you would like more information, please feel free to e-mail us with your questions.

necktie quilt with a few hankies

Other Examples of Necktie Quilts

Necktie Quilt

These next two are awesome quilts we have made from ties. But no, we will not make one for you. The center medallions are very difficult and we don't want to go there again. Sorry.  They are cool.

Neck ties white

Neck tie black

Andrea Funk

Andrea Funk is the inventor of T-shirt quilts made with multiple blocks sizes. The modern method of making T-shirt quilts. In 1992 she founded Too Cool T-shirt Quilts. Her life has been immersed in T-shirt quilts ever since.