Neckties and Quilts

Recently I have been sewing quilted projects with neckties and vintage textiles.  It does require some different techniques for sewing and quilting with the non-traditional  fabrics.    The bottom line for sewing with silk and silk-like tie fabrics is that it depends on what your quilted end project is going to be.

Before any sewing can begin with neckties it is imperative to assess the cleanliness.   If they are from an unknown source (estate sales, thrift stores, etc), I wash by hand in warm soapy water as soon as I acquire them.  I do not remove the interfacing when washing by hand if there is no apparent staining because they tend to have fewer wrinkles as they dry.  If there are stains, I usually take the time to remove interfacing so I can better address the stain. Silk ties have a tendency to bleed regardless of their color but polyester ties are usually colorfast. I let drip dry or sometimes air dry in the dryer with no heat.  Agitation and tumbling are likely to result in a twisted mass of fabric so I do not machine wash.  If you have a mesh bag for fragile or delicate items that could be useful for machine washing. When dry deconstruct the tie saving the label as they make great accents for projects.  Both silk and silk-like fabrics can be ironed on the appropriate setting for fiber content.

Ties are cut on the bias of the fabric so are very stretchy as you work with them.  I like to stabilize using either Sheer Weight Fusible Pellon or Touch O Gold fusible by HTC.  Both of these products maintain the drapability of the silk but keep it from stretching.  I can then use the fabric as I would quilters cotton for cutting and sewing (the purple half Dresden).  Another alternative I like if I am going to cut shapes for machine applique is to use a paperbacked fusible, Trans-Web.  It stabilizes and also helps to prevent raveling while handling.

All the quilted projects with arcs have been treated with paper backed fusible and applied to the background.  When doing applique by machine I use a blanket stitch.  When ready to quilt I use a walking foot to outline quilt but there is a precaution. Some ties have a very loose weave that can be snagged by the walking foot action.  I put a piece of tissue paper over the tie fabric next to, not on top of, the stitching line.

Watch for a pattern spring 2026 designed especially for using ties.