Maybe Matilda: Pleated Necktie Necklace

Monday, May 9, 2011

Pleated Necktie Necklace

I wanted to point out something new I'm doing, in case you haven't noticed. You know how there are, like, a kazillion amazing blogs out there? And you're always looking for great new ones to read? Here's my little way to help you find some of them--check out my sidebar there . . . I'd like you to meet my Blog Crush of the Week. Every week, I'm going to feature one of my favorite, recently-discovered blogs that I think you'll love, too! Last week was Sarahndipities. This week it's Natty By Design. You'll love them both, I promise. 100% money back guarantee. So keep your eye on that spot if you want to find new blogs that you will love to add to your reading list!

Speaking of my sidebar, how would you like to have your ad on this here bloggy? Have an etsy shop to promote? A blog that deserves some extra attention? A home business you think is da bomb? If you're interested, shoot me an email and we'll set it up . . . I'm now taking sponsors! maybematildaquilts(at)gmail(dot)com

All right, on to the real stuff. In case you missed this project last week over at Running with Glitter, here's my tutorial for the quirky and cool Pleated Necktie Necklace!

 I used one of my husband's old castoff ties (by the way, is your husband's closet stuffed with really awful old neckties that make you want to scratch out your eyeballs? Jeff's collection is a doozy.) to make a fun pleated necktie necklace:


I think it's pretty dang cool, if I may say so myself, and I wish I could take credit for the idea but I stumbled across this picture on Pinterest (are you addicted? Is there a support group I can join?) and had to wipe the drool off my keyboard. It is awesome:


Since I couldn't find it for sale anywhere (correction! Here is it, in this etsy shop! If you have a few dollars to spare, go buy it from them! Unfortunately, I don't . . . dang husband wanting to be a doctor, racking up the student loans . . . but I do have a lot of old ties. I love to support handmade, but sometimes, well, sometimes I just plain can't), I went to town on Jeff's old tie and I think it came out pretty well!

Want one? Sneak into your husband's closet while he's otherwise occupied and get to work!

(Click "read more" to learn how I made mine!)

Start by removing the tag and little loop thingy on the back of the tie:

Then start folding your tie into pleats and pinning them in place, starting at the fat end of the tie. You want the pins to go through just the bottom and middle layers of the pleat and not all the way through to the top of the tie. As you're making your pleats, make sure that you're folding them into a curved shape as the tie gets narrower.


After pinning the pleats in place, I very lightly ironed it so that they would hold their shape while I was sewing (be careful ironing it--I found out the hard way that ties burn really quickly and easily!)
 
Now we're going to sew the pleats into place. You don't want the stitching to show on the front of the tie, so you'll only be sewing through the back of the pleats--just fold the tie so the right sides are facing and stitch a straight line where you pinned from the top of the tie to the bottom.

(Do you see how I'm only sewing the pleats on the back of the tie? Now there will be no stitches on the front!)

As you get further from the fat end of the tie and the curve becomes more pronounced, you'll need to angle your sewing line to allow the pleats to curve. This was kind of hard to photograph, but you'll get what I mean once you get there.

Carefully (carefully!) iron the pleats down flat, drape it around your neck, and decide on a button placement. Sew a button onto the fat tip of the tie through to the skinny end of the tie and cut off any excess length. (It looks like the necklace is really short, but I have no trouble pulling it straight on and off even with the ends sewn together.) (Janelle over at Of Pinks and Fairy Tales made one of these necklaces already, and she actually sewed a buttonhole to make the necklace removable--check out her post about it to see how she did it!)

(This necklace makes me feel very scholarly, for some reason, and I guess this is the face that happens when I'm thinking deeply.  Thank goodness that doesn't happen very often!)

Isn't it cute? I love the tie I stole borrowed from my husband's closet; I hope he doesn't miss it. I think it makes such a great statement piece--with a simple tee and jeans, this necklace really shines!

I'll be linking this project up at some fun parties--check them out!





52 comments :

  1. Very cute! Everything you make always looks so awesome on you that it makes me want to cut my hair short! Ha! So I don't really get how you can only sew the back, but perhaps it's one of those things that makes sense once you are holding it in front of you?

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  2. I love the gray and yellow one...the colors are amazing.

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  3. How cute! Unique and funky =).

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  4. Yep I would have to agree pretty dang cool! I will definitely be checking out your blog crush each week. Great idea!

    -Lindsay
    Delighted Momma

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  5. I like it!! You are so creative:)

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  6. I always see great ties in the thrift stores but never have a use of them. This is a great idea! thanks

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  7. Oh I had the pic pinned on pinterest to try and DIY and I'm soooo excited to see that you already did one AND posted a tutorial! YAY!

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  8. So Stinking cool! Is there anything you can't pull off?
    Kaitlin @ The Goodey Knot

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  9. The tie is totally rad and looks amazing on you. But, I'm fairly certain I couldn't pull it off. Although since the guys at the office have to wear ties, this could be my subtle nod to their suffering.

    PS - You best believe I just hightailed it over to Pinterest to follow you. I've been using it since September and I'm fairly certain I need to go to Rehab. But in a good way.

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  10. Love this! I also re-purpose old ties (I make them into rosettes and add them to necklaces). I've seen these on etsy before, and they're just darling! Looks like I need to get a sewing machine and try something new!

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  11. ADORABLE. Love the model too! ;)

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  12. hope you'll come back to 20 minute tuesday and link this up ;)
    http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com

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  13. I love it! I wonder if you could make a fun belt in the same style? Maybe just a baby belt :)

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  14. You already know I love it! Come over to my house and play :) I'd love for you to join my link party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/05/running-with-glitter-link-party-8.html

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  15. This is adorable and looks adorable on you...I just don't think I can pull it off. I'm impressed that your husband owned a purplish tie....I can never talk my husband into the "girlier" colors...

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  16. The mellow pattern of th first tie goes really well with the pleats! Love it :)

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  17. Oh my gosh this is awesome! The pleats are stunning great job. I am a new follower too.

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  18. linked this up at my facebook page!!!!

    kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

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  19. So, I wandered over here because you left me a nice comment...and whoa! I freaking love your blog! You rock! :)

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  20. So awesome that I just spent the last hour making my own :)

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  21. Saw this at Running with glitter, and seeing now again, I still love it. A very smart and ingenious idea.

    love~mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  22. Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday - I featured you today! - Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

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  23. Ummm, yeah. You suck. You just added another thing to my already growing list of crap I want to make. Darn you, woman. ;)

    -Jen

    http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/

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  24. I am totally LOVING everything about this! Thank you so much for sharing your awesomeness! I'm so going to make this!!!!

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  25. it loooks so awesome. I love your blog!

    new follower!
    kathryn
    www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com

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  26. How darling! Such a fun look!

    Carlee
    www.ladybirdln.com

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  27. LOVE this! and I agree, it would be a fun Father's Day accessory :)

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  28. I have NEVER seen a woman wear a pixie haircut as well as you do! You are adorable...

    OK, flattery out of the way- I really love this necklace idea- so fun and creative- Rock and Roll!

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  29. Very brilliant idea, they look fabulous

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  30. LOVE this! It's also my favorite color!
    www.project-purple.blogspot.com
    I'm your newest follower and I pinned this on my Pinterest board! Thanks for sharing on Tatertots and Jello

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  31. Saw your necklace this morning, raided DH's ties, & am almost finished with one. Just need to sew on a fab button from my stash. I'm also going to hand stitch the pleats down at the top. Did you do that to help yours lay better?

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  32. LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial!

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  33. This is adorable! I love the pleated ruffle look. There are so many super cute ties out there too! Hope you have a wonderful week ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  34. Fabulous, Rachel! Great tutorial, and it looks amazing on you. If you find that Pinterest support group, let me know :)

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  35. What a great idea! and you can easily get those men ties that nobody wants because the colors are hideous for a man...but great for a woman's necklace!
    BTW...now I have one more blog to follow ;o)

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  36. this is extra beautiful and amazing!

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  37. GAH! i'm so in love, i can't even breathe right now. (maybe a bit of an overstatement but still). i'm so doing this. like now. or maybe tomorrow.

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  38. oh, and i JUST pinned you. thought you should know.

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  39. okay, i made one and wore it: http://fashionforaday.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-wore-tie-to-church.html

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  40. oh i love, love, LOVE this.
    i have to make myself one!

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  41. FINALLY I made one!! SO stinkin' cute, and of course gave you props my dear!

    http://rainbowandsunshineproject.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-new-favorite-accessory.html

    Thanks again for sharing! :0)

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  42. I bought a bag of old ties with very bright colors at a yard sale so guess what going to try your tie?? LOVE IT!!!! Thank you for the idea!

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  43. Awesome! Was about to feature your tutorial when I found Ties & Whimsy so I combined the post.

    http://candoodles.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcycle-repurposed-neck-ties.html

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  44. Love it! I love craft and its back in fashion!

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  45. I love this! I took your idea and changed it a tiny bit. I actually attached the tie to a shirt. I gave you credit for the original idea. See the post here: http://handfuls.posterous.com/tie-shirt

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  46. Rachel I love this look!And Becky did a nice job too!Thanks for sharing.

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  47. Just found this tutorial and followed it! Mine turned out good too! Thanks!!!

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Thanks for commenting!

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