One lazy afternoon in August, I decided I wanted to make a necktie. I'm not sure what prompted it exactly, but I became rather intrigued with the idea the more I researched how-tos and familiarized myself with the construction of the ties I currently own.
Over the next couple of weeks I became quite familiar with my local Joann Fabric Store as I made multiple trips to purchase various materials and equipment. My mom pulled out her 1950s Singer sewing machine that was passed down to her from her mom and gave me a few lessons. With her tutorials (thanks mom!) and the help of various blogs, primarily Colleterie, I had a pattern and method to construct my first tie.
It went a little something like this:
Over the next couple of weeks I became quite familiar with my local Joann Fabric Store as I made multiple trips to purchase various materials and equipment. My mom pulled out her 1950s Singer sewing machine that was passed down to her from her mom and gave me a few lessons. With her tutorials (thanks mom!) and the help of various blogs, primarily Colleterie, I had a pattern and method to construct my first tie.
It went a little something like this:
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First, I cut out the two main pieces (left) and the interlining (right). The interlining is what the main two tie pieces will be wrapped and sewn around to give the tie its shape.
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Next, I sewed the two main pieces together.
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The next step was to sew on the back lining fabric, then flip it right-side out. There's a pattern to cut this piece, too. No, that is not my high-chair in the background. Shout out to my niece.
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I then pinned and hand-stitched the back of the tie and added a tie loop (not shown). All done!
After I tied off the last stitch, there was only one thing left to do. Put it on. I whipped up a solid half-windsor, pulled it tight, and (drum roll...) the tie was too short. Not that I tied it too short, but the actual length of the tie was too short.
My emotions were quite mixed. I was ecstatic to have completed my first tie, but pretty bummed out that it wasn't long enough to actually wear. I later found out the tie pattern I used didn't print correctly. I never really liked the fabric I picked out to make this tie anyway, though. I just bought the cheapest fabric at Joann's since it was my first attempt and knew I would screw it up multiple times (which I absolutely did).
I decided to unstitch one of my J. Crew ties and use its dimensions in junction with certain aspects of the pattern I had just used to create my own tie pattern. After my new pattern was drawn up and cut out, I was ready to try my hand at some fabric I actually liked. I picked up some camo and plaid fabric at a huge fabric store I happened to drive by (and never noticed before) after work one day. That night, I read about some local Dallas fabric warehouses from Amy Mayen's fashion blog and made a plan to check them out over the weekend.
And so I did. And it was good.
After I tied off the last stitch, there was only one thing left to do. Put it on. I whipped up a solid half-windsor, pulled it tight, and (drum roll...) the tie was too short. Not that I tied it too short, but the actual length of the tie was too short.
My emotions were quite mixed. I was ecstatic to have completed my first tie, but pretty bummed out that it wasn't long enough to actually wear. I later found out the tie pattern I used didn't print correctly. I never really liked the fabric I picked out to make this tie anyway, though. I just bought the cheapest fabric at Joann's since it was my first attempt and knew I would screw it up multiple times (which I absolutely did).
I decided to unstitch one of my J. Crew ties and use its dimensions in junction with certain aspects of the pattern I had just used to create my own tie pattern. After my new pattern was drawn up and cut out, I was ready to try my hand at some fabric I actually liked. I picked up some camo and plaid fabric at a huge fabric store I happened to drive by (and never noticed before) after work one day. That night, I read about some local Dallas fabric warehouses from Amy Mayen's fashion blog and made a plan to check them out over the weekend.
And so I did. And it was good.
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I started with the camo fabric, my favorite of the 6. I think it's interesting how certain fabrics and styles take a culture by storm. Aside from hunting equipment and anything at Bass Pro Shops, camouflage apparel has hit the U.S. fashion market hard this year.
I was anxious to see if my newly customized tie pattern would work the way I wanted it to. A few hours later I found myself holding a tie that, in my eyes, was perfect. The length was spot on, the width was exactly how I wanted it (2.5"), and it looked sharp.
I was anxious to see if my newly customized tie pattern would work the way I wanted it to. A few hours later I found myself holding a tie that, in my eyes, was perfect. The length was spot on, the width was exactly how I wanted it (2.5"), and it looked sharp.
Knowing my new pattern was the appropriate dimensions, it was time to make some more ties.
Cutting out this fabric took longer than I expected (about an hour and a half), though I'm sure watching SportsCenter simultaneously didn't help any. It took me a few weeks to finish all of the ties since the only time I had to spend on them was either after dinner on weekdays or on weekends when I wasn't busy having an actual life. The part that takes the longest is the last step before adding the tie loop; sewing up the back of the tie. This step has to be done completely by hand because it requires a slipstitch.
Each tie I sewed came with its own issues or complications. It's been interesting to learn how different fabrics respond to sewing and manipulation in different ways. After all, I had never sewn before this project. I didn't know what a footer was or how to thread a sewing machine. Heck, I didn't even know thread and needles came in different weights and sizes.
Finally, after those few weeks were over, I had completed my first collection of handmade ties.
Each tie I sewed came with its own issues or complications. It's been interesting to learn how different fabrics respond to sewing and manipulation in different ways. After all, I had never sewn before this project. I didn't know what a footer was or how to thread a sewing machine. Heck, I didn't even know thread and needles came in different weights and sizes.
Finally, after those few weeks were over, I had completed my first collection of handmade ties.
I'm extremely pleased with the way they turned out. I ended up giving the camo tie to a buddy of mine and making another one for myself because I liked it so much. One of my brothers also snagged the plaid one (center) when he stopped in Dallas during his Denver-to-Houston move last weekend.
This project was a lot of fun, and I'm already cooking up ideas and researching different fabrics for my next round of neckties.
