Upcycling Neckties into a Dress: A Tutorial
Transforming a loved one’s ties into a beautiful dress can be a meaningful way to keep their memory close. This unique project combines creativity and sentimentality, turning neckties into a cherished garment that carries the stories, moments, and essence of someone dear. Using the Simple Life Pattern Company’s Emma pattern, this guide will walk you through crafting a special tie dress that preserves memories in every stitch.
Step 1: Determine the Skirt Length
Begin by determining the desired length of the skirt. The Emma pattern includes a cut chart on page 4, which will help you find the appropriate length for your dress. Measure from the bottom of the tie up to the length you need, and carefully trim any excess. As you handle each tie, take a moment to recall the memories attached to it—the occasions, conversations, or simple moments of joy that make it special.
Step 2: Deconstruct the Tie
To start transforming each tie, gently seam rip the back middle seam. You may need to remove a tag, which might feel like letting go of a small part of their story. Remove any thick stabilizers or batting inside the tie, but keep the lining intact at the bottom point. Imagine the hands that once tied it, and how this fabric will now live on in a new and beautiful way.
Step 3: Unfold and Prepare the Tie
Unfold each tie and lay it flat on your workspace. Use the fold marks at the sides as a guide to add your preferred seam allowance (in this example, 1/2 inch is used, but feel free to choose what works best for you). Cut along the edges, preparing each piece with care, knowing that these ties once adorned someone special and are now part of a new creation that honors their memory. Trim down the lining (if necessary), and optionally, finish the edge with a serger or zigzag stitch.
Repeat steps 1-3 for each tie.
Step 4: Assemble the Skirt
Place two deconstructed ties with the right sides together, aligning the edges. Sew them using the seam allowance chosen in Step 3. For the skirt, you will need 25-30 ties, depending on the dress size. Continue sewing the ties together, adding each piece until you have enough width for the skirt. Join the last tie with the first to form a loop, and add a placket at the back of the skirt, as indicated in the Emma pattern instructions.
Step 5: Attach the Skirt to the Bodice
Sew two rows of gathering stitches at the top of the skirt, starting from one side of the placket and continuing around to the other. Follow the Emma pattern instructions to attach the gathered skirt to the bodice, ensuring the gathers are evenly distributed.
Additional Notes:
- Use any leftover scraps from the ties to create a patchwork bodice, an option included in the Emma pattern, adding even more character to your dress.
- Consider using an old shirt from your loved one for the bodice or the lining, allowing their memory to be part of every detail.
This tie dress is more than just a garment; it is a living memory, a way to hold a loved one close and celebrate their life in a unique and beautiful way. With every tie, every stitch, and every step, this dress becomes a tribute—one that keeps them with you wherever you go.
Join Our Community!
If you’re looking for more creative ways to honor loved ones through sewing, join the Simple Life Pattern Company’s Facebook group, Simple Life Patterns Fan Group. Connect with others who share a love for sewing and find support and inspiration. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more tutorials and pattern ideas. And be sure to visit our website to explore our extensive list of sewing patterns. Together, we can create beautiful memories that last a lifetime. You can also join a supportive Facebook community celebrating sustainable sewing all month long at The Sewing Hub.
In loving memory of my Big Papa, John Graham. May he rest in the most peaceful of sleeps. We feel your pride everyday, but we miss your hugs so desperately… This is a photo from my wedding of him wearing one of the ties I used in the dress. You can see it front at centre.
