Neck Tie Quilt

From Fashion Accessory to Quilt

Although neck ties are a staple of many men’s wardrobes, most of them have a relatively short fashion life. Styles come and go quickly as trends change. Before they know it, most men have a closet full of unused neck ties waiting to be discarded.

Quilters know that neck ties are generally made of the finest types of fabric. They also know how to turn that fine fabric into beautiful quilts. Depending on how many ties you have and your own personal taste, quilts can be made in many patterns and designs. Several of the most popular designs include:

• Sun ray
• Dresden plate
• Patch work style
• Block
• Circular
• Appliqueing the ties onto the fabric

Quilts Made from Neck Ties

Many quilts made from neck ties are made up of random patterns and colors which gives them the look of a patchwork quilt from long ago. The following is an example of this type of quilt:

• Patch work style quilt

Block Pattern Quilts

• Gates County Historical Society Raffle Quilt: Please scroll down to view this beautiful quilt.
• Quilt made of neck ties: Please scroll down to the 8th quilt on the page.
• Block quilt: Please scroll to "Quilt to Benefit Family in Crisis."

Circular or Sun Ray Quilts

• Circle of ties quilt with a tie border
• Neck tie quilt

A Memory Quilt Made from Neck Ties

A memory quilt makes a thoughtful gift for any special man in your life. For example, making a quilt from your husband’s unwanted ties will bring back fond memories to both of you. Quilts made for a father, grandfather or any special man in your life can be great gifts as well.

Making a quilt from the neck ties of a beloved family member or friend that has passed on is a special way to memorialize that person. Sometimes the act of making the quilt has a healing effect as each tie holds a special memory of the beloved person. Giving the quilt as gift to a spouse, child or grandchild is giving them a special connection to the loved one that is no longer physically with them.

Giving a quilt made form neck ties is great way to honor a member of a former group or committee such as a clergyman, school leader or alumni. The quilt can showcase the neck ties of one member or can include ties from all the members of the group.

Books on Making Neck Tie Quilts

Daddy’s Ties: A Project and Keepsake Book by Shirley Botsford includes patterns and instructions for making stunning quilts from old neck ties. This book is available online from Amazon and at most bookstores.

Also available from Amazon is Necktie Sampler Blocks (Love to Quilt) by Janet B. Elwin which is full of great ideas for neck tie quilts.

Many books that include quilting patterns for neck ties are no longer in print. It is possible to find these excellent resources on sites such as Bookfinder, eBay and occasionally Amazon. These books include:

• Ties, Ties, Ties: Traditional Quilts from Neckties by Janet B. Elwin
• Tied Up! by Gail Ellspermann and Frances Krupka
• Threads and Ties that Bind: Exquisite Quilts from Tie Fabrics by Jean Johnson
• Quilts from Neckties by Sharon Newman

More Resources

• Step by step instruction for making a quilt from neckties from Ehow.
• Great tips for quilting with neck ties from Wolf Nanny.

Conclusion

A neck tie quilt is a wonderful way to honor and remember those that have worn the neck ties in the past. It it will quickly become a family heirloom and a treasured keepsake.