Make a Silk Tie (9734 Views)

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  Step 1 of 14

  Like all of our patterns, this one uses 5/8'' seam allowances. I marked the seams that need to be machine stitched with dotted lines.

  Now some definitions:

  We will refer to the 'wide end' and 'narrow end' of the tie.

  The 'tipping' is sewed to the ends of tie, to finish it. We could think of it as a facing or lining.

  The 'keeper' is the tube behind the wide end of the tie that keeps the narrow end in place when the tie is tied around the neck.

  'Tie interfacing' is often made of two layers of woven wool, is slightly soft and springy but also firm. It runs the length of the tie and the silk is basically folded around it and stitched together around it. Unlike other interfacings, tie interfacing isn't glued and/or attached to the self in any way. Proper tie interfacing is not particularly easy to come by, and, depending on the width of the fabric, you need between 1 yard and 1 3/4 yard to get a 57" bias cut. It's also not cheap (we paid $25 for a yard of imported tie interfacing). We have a few suggestions for a comparable replacement. To start with, take apart an old (preferably high quality) tie and see what's inside. If it's the right length and width (or bigger, then you can trim it down) you can use on old tie's interfacing for your new tie, and skip hunting down the elusive tie interfacing AND finally find something cool to do with old ties. OR you can create a comparable replacement. A slightly stiff muslin with a soft fusible interfacing could work nicely. Perhaps try a few different things you have lying around to get a similar body to what you find inside that old tie.

  All that said, cut your pattern pieces. Make sure your pattern pieces are all heading the same way on the fabric's design.

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  Step 2 of 14

  Sew the tipping to the tie ends. Using tailor's chalk, mark the angles so you can pivot on them exactly while sewing. For visibilities sake, I marked these corners with highlighter on the pattern because you can't really see my marks on the fabric in the pictures.

  Repeat for wide and narrow ends.

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  Step 3 of 14

  Important! It is best to construct the tie without ironing the silk. If you feel you absolutely need to, please be gentle and use a silk setting. The tie will have a better body and the natural beauty of the silk's bias will come through if you don't use the iron.

  Turn the tippings right side out. Depending on the thickness of your silk, you may be able to form a beautiful point without trimming any of the fabric. (Not trimming the point will help the keep the point shaped well, but if you have a thicker silk you made have to.) Gently pull the fabric out with the sharp end of a pin. If you need to, trim some of the excess fabric out from the tip.

  Repeat for wide and narrow ends.

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  Step 4 of 14

  Sew the middle of tie to one end.

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  Step 5 of 14

  Sew the middle of the tie to the other end. (Notice how naughty I was with the fabric design/bias--don't be naughty like me! (But honestly it didn't detract that much from the final result.))

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  Step 6 of 14

  Sew the keeper. First, sew long sides together, then trim SA to about 1/4"

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  Step 7 of 14

  Using a safety pin or loop turner turn the keeper right side out. Sew the short ends together. Don't trim this seam allowance; we're going to use it to tack the keeper in the back seam of the tie.

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  Step 8 of 14

  Lie the silk part of the tie out, placing the tie interfacing inside it, making sure the tips of the interfacing are snugly in the tips of the silk. Send the interfacing smoothly down the center of the silk.

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  Step 9 of 14

  Fold the outer edges towards the center line.
  

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  Step 10 of 14

  Now fold the folded out edges towards the center line. The edges should overlap a bit. Pin down the center. Check to make sure the ends are even and beautiful.

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  Step 11 of 14

  Slip the seam allowance of the keeper in between the two layers about 9 inches up from the bottom the wide end. Sew the seam allowance to the top layer of silk.
  

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  Step 12 of 14

  Use an even slipstitch down the entire length of tie.

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  Step 13 of 14

  Sew the four corners of the keeper down. If you have a tag, sew that on now too.

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  Step 14 of 14

  Now you have a beautiful silk tie with which to tie up your loved one!