How to Sew a Skinny Tie

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If shopping for the perfect Father's Day gift for that dapper father in your life has you fit to be tied, how about making a new skinny tie for his special day? Popular in the 20s, the 60s, the 80s and today, skinny ties are an affordable way to keep a wardrobe looking chic — and you can even use a "vintage" piece to help construct your latest project. Whether you keep it conservative with a silk fabric or more casual with a cotton print, ties are a great way to personalize an outfit and make a style statement. And when it's handmade with love, it could definitely be one of those ties that bind!

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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Things You'll Need

  • Old tie to use for a pattern

  • Seam ripper

  • Iron and ironing board

  • 1 yard of fabric

  • Pins

  • Sharp scissors

  • Measuring tape

  • Sewing machine

  • Needle and thread

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1: Take Apart the Old Tie With a Seam Ripper

Use a seam ripper to deconstruct an old tie with the same dimensions of the new tie you'd like to make. Pay attention to how the old tie was sewn together as you take it apart. This will help you understand the tie making process. Keep all of the pieces to use as the pattern for the new tie.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Tip

Instead of buying new cotton-canvas interlining for the tie, you can just reuse the interlining from the old tie. Recycling this piece will save you money and time.

Step 2: Press the Old Tie Parts With an Iron to Create Pattern Pieces

Use an iron to press out all of the wrinkles from the old tie pieces.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

This tie had three pieces: the interlining and two pieces of the outer fabric, which is called the "envelope."

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3: Lay the Pattern Pieces on the "Bias" of the Fabric

It's important to cut the pattern pieces for the envelope of the tie on the "bias," a 45-degree angle, of your new fabric. Cutting the tie on the bias will increase the tie's flexibility and will allow it to return to its original shape more easily. It will also hang from the knot evenly.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4: Pin the Pattern Pieces in Place and Cut the New Tie Pieces

Use straight pins to place the pattern pieces on the bias. Then, use sharp scissors to cut out the new tie pieces.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5: Pin the Fabric Pieces Together and Sew a 1/2-Inch Seam

Place the middle ends of the envelope pieces with their right-sides together (as shown in the picture below). Use straight pins to secure the two pieces for sewing. Then, sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance with a sewing machine.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 6: Press the Seam Open With an Iron

Press the seam allowance open with an iron and trim off the triangles of fabric that stick out from the edge. Once that's finished, fold over the large and small ends of the envelope with their right-sides together.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Now, sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance on both the large and small ends of the tie envelope.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 7: Use an Iron to Press

Turn both ends of the tie right-side out and press with an iron. Continue to fold and press one of the long sides of the tie envelope over 1/4 inch.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 8: Place the Interlining in the Center on the Wrong Side

Place the interlining onto the center of the tie on the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the unpressed long side over the interlining and press with an iron. The fold will be even with the side of the interlining.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Then, fold the pressed-side over the interlining and the raw edge and iron in place. Again, the fold will be even with the other side of the interlining.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 9: Pin in Place and Hand Sew Using a Slipstitch

Use straight pins to secure the folds.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Sew the folds in place using a big, loose and flexible slipstitch. Be very careful not to sew through to the front of the tie.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 10: Rock Your New Skinny Tie

Pair the tie with a fun shirt and make a style statement. Looking good, Dad!

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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