How to Make Mens' Ties

It can be a chore sometimes to purchase a gift for the men in your life. But instead of buying a gift, why not consider creating something you know they'll enjoy and actually use? Men always need ties for formal wear or special occasions. You can easily make a tie and customize it for a perfect fit. You can choose the color and texture of the material and present a gift that you made with your own hands.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 yards material Needle Thread Scissors 9-by-33 inch cardboard Sewing pins Measuring tape

Instructions

How to Make a Tie

1. 

   Use the piece of cardboard as a form. The tie will taper from 9 inches across the bottom to 7 inches across the top. Measure and mark these dimensions with sewing pins and then cut the material accordingly. On the bottom of the rectangle cut a V shape. The V shape should start 2 inches from the bottom of the pattern. You can cut out the V shape at a sharp angle or a smoother, more rounded one, based on how you want the tie to look.

2. 

   Cut the second piece the same way as the first, but with different measurements. This piece should be 24 inches long. The bottom V section should be 7 inches across and the top, 5 and a half inches across. This pattern also must be cut at an angle.

3. 

   Lay the two pieces on a flat surface. Cut out two new V-shaped tie pieces to cover the bottom triangles of the two pieces you have already cut. (One triangle V piece will be 3 inches long by 9 inches wide and the other, 3 inches long by 7 inches wide.) Sew them to the bottom triangles of the corresponding tie pieces. You can also cut a small 4-by-2-inch rectangle to be inserted in the first piece to hold the tie in place.

4. 

   Sew the V pieces to the bottom of each original tie piece. Then turn the tie pieces inside out so that the seams are hidden.

5. 

   Take the first tie piece and fold it on each side twice, until the folds meet in the middle. Mark the folds with sewing pins. Repeat this on the second piece and sew the folds together. Do not sew completely through the tie; only sew the folded seams. Then sew the two tie pieces together to complete the tie.

6. 

   Take the 4-by-2-inch piece and fold it together on each side of the tie to make a long, thin strip. Sew the strip together and place it approximately 6 inches from the bottom of the 33-inch piece, right across the fold. This strip holds the tie neatly in place.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using a material that does not fray, you can omit the folding process. Embroider or sew a decal on the bottom front V for a customized tie.

• Always hand-wash your newly made tie and lay it on a flat surface until it is completely dry.

References

• Tie making Information