Neckties can absolutely be used in a T-shirt or memorial quilt. They add color, pattern, and a personal connection. Before you send in those ties, here’s what you should know about how they can be used and how they affect your finished quilt.
Using the Necktie So It’s Recognizable
This is the most traditional way to include a necktie in a quilt and keeps the full shape visible. We find coordinating fabric and sew the entire tie onto that background so it stands out.
We like to have fun with the layout by placing ties in different directions rather than lining them up the same way. It makes the quilt feel more dynamic and interesting to look at. This option works well when the ties have special meaning and you want people to immediately recognize them.
Using Just the Fabric from a Necktie
Another option is to use only a piece of the necktie fabric within a block. Because ties have limited material, you can include smaller sections that bring color or texture without drawing attention to the fact that they came from ties.
This approach works well if you want the quilt to have a polished, cohesive look rather than one that focuses on the ties themselves. It’s also a great choice if you only have one or two ties to include.
If you’re planning a memorial quilt using neckties, this subtle method can still hold a lot of meaning while blending seamlessly with T-shirts or other clothing items.
Why Neckties Make a Quilt Dry Clean Only
Most neckties are made from silk, and silk cannot be machine washed. Once a necktie is part of your quilt, the entire quilt becomes dry clean only.
You will remember that, but it’s important to think ahead. Will the next person who owns the quilt know there’s a necktie in it? If they don’t, they could wash it and ruin the silk.
This is especially true if only a small piece of tie fabric is used. It might look like any other patterned fabric, leaving no clue that it came from a tie. For that reason, it’s helpful to include a quilt label or care instructions that note the dry clean requirement.
Things to Think About Before Including Neckties
Placement and visibility
If you want the ties to be clearly visible, they can be placed in more noticeable areas of the quilt. If you prefer something more subtle, using only the fabric is the better choice.
Block size and layout
At Too Cool T-shirt Quilts we use a puzzle style layout with blocks of different sizes. This method gives every piece, including ties, the right amount of space while keeping the design visually balanced.
Mixing materials
If you mix silk ties with cotton or other washable fabrics, remember that the most delicate material sets the care standard. A single tie means the whole quilt must be dry cleaned.
Emotional value
Ties often carry a story. They might represent someone’s career, personality, or a lifetime of memories. Including them adds a deep personal touch that makes your quilt more meaningful and unique.
Time and cost
Because ties are delicate and take more time to prepare, quilts that include them can take longer to make and may cost a bit more. The result is worth it. Every tie is handled carefully so your quilt looks amazing and lasts for years. The additional cost for neckties used to be recognizable is charged the same as we do a patch. Read more about that here.
Common Questions About Neckties in Quilts
Can I use neckties in a T-shirt quilt?
Yes. Neckties can be added to any T-shirt or memorial quilt design. You can include the whole tie or just the fabric.
Can a quilt with neckties be washed?
No. Since most ties are silk, the entire quilt must be dry cleaned. Read more about the care of quilts here.
Do you need to cut the ties before sending them?
No. Only send the ties whole. Our team will prepare and stabilize them correctly for use in your quilt.
Will the ties still be recognizable?
That’s up to you. We can keep the shape of the ties or use only the fabric, depending on how visible you want them to be.
Conclusion
Including neckties in your T-shirt or memorial quilt can turn it into something extraordinary. Each tie tells part of a story, and together they create a one-of-a-kind quilt that captures both personality and memory.