The Sewing Place

Men's neckties

charlotte

Men's neckties
« on: October 29, 2020, 10:09:50 AM »
Hoping to make these without having to buy anything new or specialist. Any experts out there?

The ties will be made from a double layer of cotton lawn (I'm underlining because it's white and too see-through otherwise). For the interlining, I was thinking of using cotton flannel, as I hope this will give a nice loft. I also have some calico but I think that will be too stiff and thin. Any tips or suggestions?


Iminei

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2020, 10:14:31 AM »
Dont ??!!!

They use a lorra lorra fabric as they are (Im sure I recall) cut on the bias and are very fiddly ... Ah well your choice ... Good Luck?!!
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

charlotte

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2020, 10:39:31 AM »
Dont ??!!!

They use a lorra lorra fabric as they are (Im sure I recall) cut on the bias and are very fiddly ... Ah well your choice ... Good Luck?!!

Hahaha I love this response! I know!!

I want something very specific (particular fabric underlined with particular fabric), and since I am making nine I reckon I can line a few up along the bias and reduce fabric wastage. Plus I can hopefully get a few pocket squares out of the offcuts. (Incidentally, pocket squares are another boring fiddly thing I can't really be bothered with but will make.)

Kwaaked

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2020, 11:28:48 AM »
I'll be honest, I use 100% wool tie interfacing for ties/bow ties.  But taking a few apart, you do see 100% cotton flannel in some.  Wash and dry it to remove all shrinkage, and then try it...but you may need 2 layers for the proper body.

If your chairty shops have cheap ties, like a pound or less, it may be beneficial to buy a couple and tear them apart to see how they innards work.

BrendaP

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2020, 16:04:21 PM »
Accepting that you want a very specific print which presumably only comes as cotton lawn, I would think twice about using cotton as it will be harder to tie the knot (there may be a pun there!).  Most ties are silk or polyester and shiny/slippery which cotton isn't.

@Kwaaked 's suggestion of unpicking an existing tie is a good one.  Use it as a template pattern.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

weary

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2020, 19:15:58 PM »
If the fashion material is going to make the ties tricky (or even impossible) to tie neatly what about making clip-on ties? 
'How to make' vids on youtube if you want to explore the idea.
(It would ensure that all the ties have exactly the same size knot and lengths too.)

Regards,
Phil

charlotte

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2020, 14:54:11 PM »
Accepting that you want a very specific print which presumably only comes as cotton lawn, I would think twice about using cotton as it will be harder to tie the knot (there may be a pun there!).  Most ties are silk or polyester and shiny/slippery which cotton isn't.

Hmmm... interesting. There are lots of Tana Lawn ties for sale on the internet, but I can't find many pictures of them actually being worn, which may be because they are tricky to tie neatly!

There was a crepe de chine version of the print at one point, but it's sold out now. I think the special bases tend to be short runs so I'm not sure it will be back. Maybe I should wait and see.

If the fashion material is going to make the ties tricky (or even impossible) to tie neatly what about making clip-on ties? 
'How to make' vids on youtube if you want to explore the idea.
(It would ensure that all the ties have exactly the same size knot and lengths too.)

I quite like this idea, but absolutely no way would I be able to convince my fiance to wear a clip-on tie on his wedding day!  :D

Greybird

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2020, 16:15:29 PM »
I would think you could tie it (very carefully!) for a single wearing but you probably wouldn't get a second go at it if it didn't go right the first time - not without ironing in between! A toile will settle the issue. I know (?) your wedding dress incorporates a print. If using the cotton doesn't work out for the ties, perhaps you could go for plain ties in one of the prominent colors?

Celia

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2020, 19:03:02 PM »
I know you said you didn’t want to buy anything special but you can get the correct interfacing for ties here is where I have bought it from not sure if you can get it in the UK https://www.silhouettepatterns.com/html/notions.htm do you need it in a hurry

Esme866

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2020, 10:07:33 AM »
I actually wore/owned several neck ties myself back in the "Annie Hall" days of the 80's. I now regularly buy, disassemble, and wash thrifted ties to use for Hong Kong finishes in unlined jackets. The lofty interfacing also makes a nice sleeve header.

Cotton neck ties would definitely be fiddly to wear and tie. Bow ties in cotton wouldn't be as bad as regular neck ties. Silk is definitely the best as even polyester feels clunky and doesn't glide over itself as easily as silk. I always wore a tie tack or clasp with the polyester ties so that I didn't have to deal with the awkwardness of the tie not returning to its proper hanging position each time I moved. Tracks or clasps should also help this problem with cotton.

Buy a thrifted tie or ask anyone you know if they have one they're tired of to donate. Make notes as you disassemble and use the various parts as a pattern. I'd buy the tie interfacing - those photos are going to be around awhile, right? There's also a bit of lining at the base of the front of the tie, it's usually self faced, but in this instance a complementing rayon lining might help the tie move better while on.

I wouldn't prewash anything. I might steam press before cutting the various fabrics. Neck ties are rarely, if ever, laundered.

b15erk

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2020, 12:38:07 PM »
@charlotte , I've bought tie interfacing online to use for sleeve heads, and it's not expensive at all.  I think the idea of using an old tie for the pattern is a good idea.

I have an idea that the Sewing Guru (online tailor) has a tutorial on how to make a tie.  I'll have a look to see if I can find it.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

charlotte

Re: Men's neckties
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2020, 14:28:44 PM »
Thanks all!

There are also plenty of Tana Lawn ties for sale from Liberty itself, so it can't be an absolutely terrible fabric to use. I did make my partner a tie from Tana Lawn a few years ago (I used an offcut of woven wool fabric as the interlining on that one) so I will make him try that and see how easy it is to tie. I'm not sure he has ever worn it!

I've even found the pattern I used, so that's ready to go.

I think it makes sense to buy proper interlining. I was thinking along the lines of them just being worn for one day, but you're right that the photos will be forever and we want the ties to be hanging correctly!

I'm looking at this ready cut option on eBay. It's polyester, which is putting me off, but it would also be one less thing to cut out! I'll probably go for a wool canvas though - looking at McCulloch and Wallis - £6.50 a metre, so not too badly priced at all.

Turns out I'm working all this weekend, so lots of time for whatever I order to arrive before I get round to making them.