Hey everyone!! I got a huge bag of men's ties at an auction because my DH said, "there's your crazy quilt just waiting to happen". I don't even know how many ties are in the bag, maybe 200-300. There are ties of every color and design. Some have embroidery on them. There are stripes, solids, patterns, paisley (do you remember the 70's?), anything and everything!!

Anyway, I know I'll have to wash them and take them apart. But have any of you done this before? I could use some hints. Since most are silk ties I think it will make a wonderful crazy quilt. If someone has another suggestion, I'm open to that, too.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh boy...you have a treasure!!! I saw a quilt a few years ago called "Tie One On"...and it was allllll wonderful neck ties! Before I was a quilter I passed on a bag of ties...and I have kicked myself for EVER.

Hi, Jean,

I actually saw a quilt once at the New England Quilt Museun made from old silk men's ties.

I now save all the old ones that my DH and DSs no longer will wear with the vague intention to make something with them one day.

Here are some ideas:

A Memory Quilt:
http://sharemyquilt.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=06...b3-80d3-a398e38203ac

A Pillow Tutorial:
http://carolsews.blogspot.com/2007/12/tutorial-making-p...w-from-neckties.html

and a Wall Hanging:
http://cqmagonline.com/vol05iss01/articles/518/index.shtml

Have fun!

Hi,
I was inspired to make a crazy quilt with ties when I saw a book called My Daddy's Ties". I don't remember the author. There were great ideas.

My father was a minister for 40 yrs. & had lots of ties. When he got alzymers (I don't know how to spell) my mother gave me his ties Then my husband was in banking for yrs. & I have his ties. So I'm planning a quilt that will be very sentimental.
Rebecca P

My mother made a WH out of my Dad's ties - she just did her own Crazy Quilt design, with decorative stitching on all the edges.

I made a 3-D Bow Tie quilt for an auction, using ties from husbands of club members and community leaders - mayor, fire chief, police chief, fire marshal, rabbi, city manager, mayor, etc.

As for washing, you need to be VERY CAREFUL. Many tie fabrics are dry clean only. I also found that the tie fabrics were slippery and there is a definite stretch to the fabric, depending on the angles cut.

Have fun with your "catch".

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I checked out a few of the sites you mentioned, Pat. They look interesting. I do think I want a crazy quilt.... and I googled a couple to get an idea of the look.
Donna, can't I just hand wash the fabric after I take the ties apart? I hand wash silk blouses without a problem.
Any other suggestions?

Jean

I'm sure you CAN wash them - just very carefully! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

One caution, ties are bias cut and so will stretch easily. (I made a couple of ties many years ago.) And since crazy quilts go every which way, edges of blocks will almost certainly be bias and hard to keep from stretching.

Some of the old crazy quilts are done on a foundation, such as lightweight muslin. You could use that or one of the very lightest weight sew-in interfacings. (Don't get the knit kind, of course.) It would keep the stretchiness under control. Just make blocks of the interfacing, at least an inch larger than the size you want the finished one to be. Then have it underneath when you sew the tie pieces together, stitching through all 3 layers (2 tie layers and one of interfacing). I think you will be more pleased with the results.

I was given one last year that was a string quilt in the X pattern. This one is falling apart though. I don't think I can do anything to save it. But it really looked nice with all the similar colors of the very old ties.

Hi I made a skirt with all of my grandpa's ties he has been gone for 5 years now and I found them in the garage at mom's. They were dirty and stinky I used woollite ang cold water and washed them by hand and layed them on towels to dry. I then pressed them some are old and many different materials. I love the skirt we also have pictures of him with some of the ties on.