Neckties aren’t something you throw away—but most people don’t know what to do with them.
Most people don’t go out looking to collect neckties. They just end up with them over time.
Sometimes they are inherited from a loved one, often a dad or grandpa who wore them for years.
Other times they come from a career, special events, or a period of life when ties were part of everyday clothing. And often, they are simply saved even though they are no longer worn.
At some point, the collection grows, and the question becomes what to do with them.
Neckties are not the easiest material to work with in a quilt. They are narrow, made from slippery fabrics like silk, and vary in width, which means each one has to be handled and adjusted individually. This makes the design and construction more time-consuming than working with standard T-shirts.
Because of this, necktie quilts often require more work to complete. These are not simple quilts to make.
The number of neckties you have will help determine what you can make.
If you’re not sure which direction makes sense, the number of ties you have is a good place to start.
We had 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.
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.
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.
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.