How to Make a Handbag Out of Neckties

Recycle vintage men's neckties into trendy new handbags with these simple instructions. You can alternate necktie colors for a coordinated style or mesh different patterns together for a calico patchwork. Either way, these handmade recycled necktie handbags will be conversation pieces in style with the eco-friendly green movement. Make some as gifts or sell them at craft fairs. With the right accents, necktie handbags can be used for evening or kept casual for daily use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10 neckties
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Machine-strength thread

Making a Necktie Handbag

1. Lay the neckties out on the floor or large workspace. Begin lining up the large ends of the neckties into a star shape. Lay one necktie out from the skinny end to the large end. Smooth out any wrinkles. Lay another necktie next to it. Place the large ends together so the points are exactly lined up. Make sure the necktie is parallel to the first tie all the way to the skinny top end.

2. Continue until you have five parallel neckties with their points meeting at the end as closely as possible. Pin the ties together without overlapping more than 1/4 inch. Place pins to hold the ties together along the entire lengths. Place five more ties in a separate parallel formation and pin them in place.

3. Place one section of ties on the sewing machine. Turn it upside down so you are working on the underside of the ties. Use the pins to keep the ties in place. Sew the seams between each tie, connecting them from the large point to the skinny tops. Sew 1/4 inch seams between each tie. Trim any excess threads after removing ties from the sewing machine. Repeat with the other section of ties.

4. Place the two sections of ties side by side. Line up the seams just like each individual tie within the sections. Sew a 1/4 inch seam to connect the two pieces. Fold this new large section in half at the new seam so the backs of the ties face outside. Line up the end seams. Sew a 1/4 inch seam to connect the final edges. You have made a large tube of ties. Flip this tube inside out so the backs of the ties are now inside and the "good" sides face out.

5. Smooth the tube of ties onto a workspace. Line up the fat bottom points of the ties with their matches on the bottom layer of the tube. Pin each of the fat points in place. Flip the tube inside out. Sew a 1/4 inch seam around each fat point, sealing the bottom of the necktie handbag. Trim excess threads with scissors. Flip the bag right side out and pop out the points on the bottom.

6. Hold the length of the necktie handbag up to your body. Decide how much of the material you want to be a bag and how long you want the shoulder straps to be. Flatten the bag with a seam at each side. Mark the point where you want the shoulder straps to begin. Place that seam under the sewing machine and sew a 1/2 inch buttonhole seam to seal it. Above the buttonhole seam cut open the necktie seams up to 3 inches from the top. Locate the matching seam exactly opposite this one. Repeat on the opposite seam.

7. Trim excess threads from the necktie handbag. Place your arm through the opening you have just cut in the top half of the bag. The top 3 inches of the neckties will rest on your shoulder. The bag will hang down below your arm. Add buttons, ribbons and other details based on your style.

Tips & Warnings

• Buttonhole seams are standard settings on most sewing machines. If you do not have this setting, make a strong 1/4 inch seam by sewing forward and backward several times.