Card Tutorial

There's a tutorial on how to make an envelope for a small card from a necktie, on the Urban Threads website.
Urban Threads sells unique and modern embroidery designs, both hand and machine styles.

Upcycled Necktie Rugs

One great way to recycle old neckties is to make rugs.


Dreamweavers’ "Executive" rug made from upcycled silk blend ties saved from the cutting floor.
See color selections here
According to Lifestyles Furniture's website, "Who said going green couldn’t look good? One of our best selling rugs, The Executive is thickly plush, with deep softness provided by its unique pile. The mix of silks and polyester fabrics are upcycled neckties. Each piece of our Executive rug is cut and sewn by hand, filled with hypo-allergenic poly filling, pieced together and backed with a non-slip action backing. The rug is stain-resistant, colorfast and 100% machine washable"
This article by Attic Mag talks about the Dreamweaver necktie rugs, along with rugs made from recycled tee shirts, belts, and shoelaces!

I've written previous posts about rugs that are listed in the sidebar, but I'll re-post the links here for easier reference
Woven rug

Another by Weaver Girl

A floor runner that I would love to learn how to make

Rag rugs by Sandy Voss

Braided rug how-to

Circular rug by Maylina


Another by Eileen

I'm not able to pull the photo, but the patchwork mat by Stephanie of Little Birds could be made with neckties.
If you're worried about wear and tear on silks and polyesters, you could maybe encase the mat in clear vinyl.
An idea anyway.

Steampunk Corset Dress

Fun corset dress costume by Erica Young
Tutorial on Instructables

Make a Pillow from Neckties

Tutorial by Carol Sews

Dye eggs with Silk Neckties

Since it's almost Easter, I thought I'd repost about Necktie Eggs (original post from my Woof Nanny blog)

Vintage Lilac posted about this idea from Martha Stewart.
There's a video tutorial on Martha (if it doesn't link, search "Silk-Tie Easter Eggs")
Monogram Momma also has a tutorial.

I got together with my friend Jen, and we dyed Easter Eggs using pieces of silk neckties.

It was so much fun unwrapping the fabric packages to see what magic was inside!
Definitely an oohs and aahs moment.

Look at the lily!


Three of the eggs didn't color, because one tie was polyester (oops), and the other two were hand-marbled designs in swirled colors. Perhaps somehow the colors had been permanently set, so the design didn't transfer.


We'll have to find ways to best wrap the eggs, because where the fabric folds or pleats, the egg remains white.
It was really easy though, really fun, and we'll definitely do it again next year!

Necktie Valentines

This fun idea is from Craft Stylish (thanks to Cindy for sending me the tutorial link)

Make a scarf!

Diane of Craftypod has a tutorial on Craftstylish, on how to make a scarf from neckties.

This gives you a starting point, even if you'd rather piece your scarf in different sized strips, or strips on the diagonal, or in a patchwork, or in a quilted pattern, or....

Too, she lined her scarf with silk, but you could use something soft and warm like flannel instead if you like.

So cute little girl's dress

Tutorial by Rockerchic

More Clothing Inspiration

From a newspaper article back in May of 2006, this dress was made by Tampa's Academy of Design and Technology Student
Tia Noto.


Dress by Shanel Riegler that has a bustle at the back.
I found this newspaper article about the designer.

More views of her necktie dress designs.
The designer is in the center in the blue dress.

I especially love the bodice of the brown dress


Gorgeous dress by Outsapop (lots more images on her flickr pages if you click on the link).
Her Trashionista Blog.
And, what is really cool, is she has a tutorial on Cut Out + Keep, showing how to make necktie feathers

Just one of the many beautiful items made by Mayabr.

((¤Maylina¤))
Originally uploaded by Mayabr

Designer Spotlight: Laura Kluvo

The person responsible for sending me down this path of sewing with neckties, my inspiration, my mentor (if you will), is Laura of Rick Rack Ruby.

Ironically, Laura doesn't sew much with ties anymore, but her past projects are full of inspiration.
Her work is so professional--it brings 'recycling' to a whole new level.
And on top of all that, I've had the pleasure of meeting her, and she's delightfully nice, upbeat, and fun.

Check out this beautiful messenger bag.
Tutorial on craftster, and also on craft bits.

"1000 points" Messenger Bag,
she says, "If you look closely you can see that I have inserted tie tips into the the seams on the front like feathers. It was really hard to keep everything lined up. It turned out great though, didn't it?"

Big Bag


Slouch Bag


Crazy collaged bags

She has several shoulder bags she calls the Cora, including this pink and purple one.

"Here is the handbag that I made from the leftover bits of the Pink and Purple Necktie Skirt. I lined it in hot pink velveteen and added a giant rhinestone brooch."

Her peacock bag is accented with a peacock brooch


And don't forget her Gypsy Rose bags!

Red Rose Valentine Bag


Make the Rose embellishment
Tutorial on craftster, but sadly most of the photos are missing

Or you can make Necktie Daisies
Tutorial on craftster.

Necktie Backpack


Other goodies include a Corset belt
Tutorial on craftster

Funky beanie
Tutorial on craftster

Christmas Stockings


Necktie strawberries (pins and necklaces)


And yes, she makes skirts too.
Necktie skirts are usually made with the ties 'as is'.
Meaning the 'guts' are still inside, and the tie is still folded in its standard shape.
Take the tie apart and lay the fabric out, however, and you get what Laura calls a "Swishy Skirt"

A long skirt
"This was a tough design. There are about 30 ties and it is HEAVY! They're sewn together about halfway down and then loose at the bottom. You should see this in motion...."

Laura has lots of examples of the 'standard' necktie skirts too.
Instructions. Class pics.
Her "Paris Hilton" is made with all pink ties


Here's another


Orange ties

Cartoon ties for a child's version

Look at all the things that can be made with 15 ties! (read more here)


Article about Laura in the Arizona Republic newspaper.
And another article here regarding her Project Runway blog.