DIY Network

Silk Tie Painting From "DIY Crafts" episode DIC-122

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E

Here's an easy technique to make bright and professional-looking silk ties. Guest Jan Janus of Ivy Imports Inc. turns a plain silk tie into a unique accessory using bold colors that work for both guys and gals. Why pay department-store prices when you can make your own for less than $20?

Materials:

Plain white silk tie, preferably silk charmeuse
Silk dye
Paper towels
Four small spray bottles
Nonabsorbent paper (or make your own by spraying heavyweight paper with a plastic coating)
Scissors
Optional: latex gloves
Nondimensional gold fabric paint
Applicator bottle with a fine metal tip

1. Prepare design templates by cutting patterns out of nonabsorbent paper. Make several different shapes: circles, zigzags, squiggly lines and squares (figure A).

2. Prepare the silk dyes. For this project we used orange, fuchsia, turquoise and black. You may want to experiment by mixing colors. Use one spray bottle for each color, and mix one part dye with three to four parts water.

3. Spread a double layer of paper towels on the work surface, and place the tie face down on the paper towels. Paint the back of the tie first. This side of the tie won't show, so you may want to make the design less complex. Because the tie is white, it's necessary to add some color to the fabric on the back. Place one or two templates on the back to create a design.

4. If you wish, wear latex gloves. Spray the fuchsia dye over the templates and onto the tie, using quick sprays. The spray bottle should be approximately 8" from the surface of the tie. Spray the entire back of the tie and along the edges (figure B).

5. Blot excess dye with a paper towel. Remove the template. Use another color to spray over the back of the tie, adding color to the area that had been covered by the template. Blot excess dye with a paper towel. Let the back dry.

6. Turn the tie over so the front faces up. Arrange several templates on the area of the tie that will show when it is tied--about 2" from the bottom up to the halfway point (figure C).

7. Starting with the lightest color, hold the bottle approximately 8" from the tie, and spray in quick pumps all the way up. Be sure to spray the edges. Blot with a paper towel.

8. Rearrange the templates to different positions. If desired, use paper towels to mask areas of the tie you don't wish to spray. Spray with a different color. Adjust the colors by spraying more or less, depending on the desired look. Blot with the paper towel when you've finished spraying (figure D).

9. Continue arranging the templates and spraying with different colors until you achieve the desired effect. Blot with paper towels.

10. Fill the metal-tip applicator bottle with gold nondimensional fabric paint. Apply the paint along the lines created by the templates. Move the applicator quickly to keep the design loose. Don't try to stay in the lines (figure E).