How Do I Narrow a Man's Tie?

This is a classic example of a skinny tie.

Narrowing a man's necktie allows you to create a skinny tie, a retro style of tie that emerged in the 1960s that was worn by the Beatles. While traditional contemporary ties measure around 3 1/2 inches in width, prior to the 1960s, mens' ties were as wide as 4 1/4 inches. If you're a fan of a narrower necktie width, you don't have to go out and purchase all new ties. Rather, a more economical way is to simply convert the ties you already own into skinny ties. Does this Spark an idea?

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Traditional neckties
Seam ripper
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Iron
Needle
Thread

Instructions

- 1
  
  Lay your traditionally wide neck tie face down on a flat work surface so that the seams are facing you. Rip the seams apart slowly and carefully with your seam ripper.
- 2
  
  Unfold the fabric and remove the lining of the tie that allows the tie to maintain an even shape. Skinny ties measure 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches in width, so you can remove either an 1/2 inch from each side of the tie or 3/4 inch from each side; it's up to your preferences.
- 3
  
  Measure with a ruler how much you plan to cut away from each side of the lining. Mark with a pencil. Make a long vertical line corresponding to these marks on each side of the lining. Cut away these sides of the lining with a pair of scissors.
- 4
  
  Place the lining back into the center of the tie. One side of the silk tie usually overlaps the other. Identify this side and trim 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch from this side, depending on the cut you made on the lining.
- 5
  
  Fold this now trimmed side over the lining. Iron the new fold in place with a hot iron, so the silk part of the tie matches the new width of the skinny tie lining.
- 6
  
  Fold the other end of the silk tie over the side you just ironed in place. Iron this side of the tie in place as well, so it matches the dimensions of the lining. This side of the silk tie will have surplus of fabric. Cut 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch off this side of the fabric. This will create a meeting point of the two sides of the fabric in the center of the tie.
- 7
  
  Fold 1/4 inch of the top side of the silk under to create a slight hem. Iron it in place. Thread a needle with matching thread and sew a tiny seam from the bottom to the top of the tie, using small, tight stitches.