Neckties Make Great Quilts
October 16, 2024
Hi!
Something caught my eye this week in an older Online Quilt Magazine issue, and I realised that it’s been 10 years this month since Penny Halgren passed. Penny was a long time quilter who had an active quilting community and was a generous and regular columnist in our monthly magazine. She always had great ideas, and shared a breadth of quilting knowledge through her articles.
In memory of Penny, this week I’d like to share her article on ideas for using neckties in quilts –
“Neckties Make Great Quilts
In addition to being a trend, the necktie quilts have enjoyed popularity over many decades due to the fact that they can be great memory quilts honoring the men in your life.
If you want to make a necktie quilt using men’s ties, you have several options.
First, you need to decide if you will use the tie as is, incorporating the entire tie into your quilt design.
Your other option is to use the ties as scrap fabrics, cutting pieces from each to complete a traditional quilt pattern.
Quilters who like to use neckties in traditional patterns often choose to use them as fabrics in Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, and block patchwork among others.
(This stunning quilt pieced from men’s silk neckties is Universal Ties, 63 x 88″ (2001) by Nancy Ota (Image from http://quiltinspiration.blogspot.com/2014/06/necktie-quilts-for-dad.html ), and shows just how creatively you can use ties as fabric for quiltmaking.)
If you opt to use the entire necktie in your quilt, you might start off by arranging them to form a starburst or Dresden design in the center of the quilt. Fill empty spaces with other fabrics, or more neckties if you have them.
You could also choose to use the neckties in your quilt’s border.
In addition to full size quilts, you could use the neckties to make wall hangings, Christmas tree skirts and stockings, or pillows.
If you have the urge to make a necktie quilt, but don’t have enough ties on hand, ask friends and family to save them for your project. Also, visit thrift stores and yard sales to grow your own collection of men’s neckties. (Use as is, or get out your seam ripper and open them out for more usable fabric.)
If you have plenty of ties on hand, but are having a tough time finding a starting place, visit your favorite free quilt pattern site to see what it offers. (There’s a wealth of images and inspiration on Pinterest, for example…)
There are many free or low cost quilt patterns available on the Internet. You have a world of options at your fingertips if you are planning to use the old neckties in piecing your quilts.
If your necktie quilt is a memory quilt for a friend or family member, make sure to incorporate other mementos into it. For instance, if your father loved golf, try working a golf tie or golf themed fabric into your design of the quilt you are making for him or in honor of him.
Quilters who are low on neckties or time can create a wonderful memory lap quilt. Smaller in size means it takes less time to complete. While smaller in size, the necktie lap quilt can still be big on memories!
To make a quilt featuring fabric cut-outs of men’s neckties, you have a couple of options. You may make the traditional neck tie or you may choose a bow tie pattern. Both are popular and widely available on the internet.
Applique works well too, in making necktie quilts. If using the entire necktie, it may be appliqued onto the quilt top wherever the quilter chooses.
Once your necktie quilt project is complete, you can use any remaining neckties you have left over for other projects. Popular ways to recycle neckties include wearing them as belts or even making skirts from them. You can find various instructions and patterns for those projects on the Internet as well.”
I feel that necktie quilts kind of fall into the same category as selvedge quilts. I’ve been saving my selvedges for years, so I can make something with them, and even though Mr Online Quilt Magazine rarely wears a tie, I might need to step up and start collecting ties from other places, so I can have a play with creating a quilt using them. Certainly worth thinking about.
Do let me know in the comments below if you’ve made a tie quilt – any hints, tips or photos of your necktie quilts welcomed!! 🙂
5 responses to “Neckties Make Great Quilts”
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Hi Jody I haven’t made a quilt yet using ties – I’ve been collecting them for awhile now as a tie quilt is on my “to do list” one day! Thanks for all the inspiration
Hi Jody, thank you for all your emails and helpful tips.
I cant believe it has been ten years already since Penny passed, feels like yesterday. I found you through Penny, i do think of her when your emails come in.
I know… 🙁 It certainly doesn’t seem like that long, and we do miss her.
Delighted to have the TIE ideas as a friend of mine made a wonderful skirt from her father’s ties. Memories of years of friendships and so very much appreciated. THANKS INDEED.
What a great idea