DIY Network

Embroidered Ties Tie Makeover #1: embroidering a thrift-store or handmade necktie From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-115

Shannon Okey shows how to embroider a necktie--either a thrift-shop find or one you make yourself.

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Embroidered Tie

Materials:

cotton fabric
an old tie
embroidery thread and/or small beads/rhinestones of your choice
cotton thread
needles

First, you'll need to print photos of your choice (pinup girls, your cat, whatever you like) on cotton quilting fabric.

1. Iron the fabric until it's very, very flat (figure A) (it actually helps if the fabric is new and still has sizing in it--if you're using fabric that's been washed, you may want to spray it with a little laundry starch).

2. Cut the fabric into standard paper-sized sheets (8.5"x11") and carefully feed it, sheet by sheet, into your inkjet printer. (You may want to do test prints on paper first to make sure the photos are printing at the size you want.)

3. Cut the main printed image out, leaving some space around the edges to fold under when stitching down (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

4. With a thrift-store tie of your choice (you can also make your own by using an old tie as a template on your fabric, as shown in figure C), arrange the printed photo on the tie and stitch all around.

5. Add embroidery stitches (figure D), beads or any other embellishments you like. Workplace-approved pinup-girl ties would benefit from some strategic beading!

Figure C

Figure D

GUESTS :

Shannon Okey
Website: www.anezkahandmade.com
Website: www.knitgrrl.com