Today I would like to share a quick tutorial with you on creating your very own hand sewn ruffled necklace from an old silk tie.  I think this tutorial is so fun because you can really just be inspired by it and create your own look with a silk tie.  My favorite part about this new necklace of mine is that it sits a bit sideways on your chest.  I think that gives it uniqueness and a bit of character.  I would love to see what you create with your neck ties.  Send images of your creations my way via email (upcycledunlimited [at] gmail [dot] com)  Can’t wait to see them.

On to the tutorial.

How to reuse a silk tie and hand sew a ruffled necklace:

1.  Wrap the neck tie around your neck and measure (including enough to ruffle the fabric) where to cut the tie.  The length is up to you.  I wanted my necklace to sit at the top of my chest.

2.  Cut the tie to the correct length.  Mark where the top of the first ruffle will start.

3.  Place the tie so that it overlaps itself where the first ruffle will start.  Sew a straight line using the bottom layer of the tie as your guide.  I used red button thread so that it would pop against my yellow tie.

4.  Create your first ruffle and sew it in place.

5.  Continue to sew as many ruffles as you would like or until you run out of room on the bottom layer.

6.  You are finished!  Wasn’t that so fun?

7.  Find a place to show off your new creation!

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I am a really big fan of both homonogous and dangle earrings.  For this week I thought I would experiment making some dangle earrings.  The main ingredient for this lovely new accessory is an old silk tie.  The best part is that these earrings are super light weight!

How to Reuse a Silk Tie to Make Earrings:

1.  Cut about a 2 inch section from the silk tie.  Take out the insides.

2.  Cut the 2 inch piece at the seams to create 2 rectangles of fabric.

3.  Fold the fabric in half, right side to right side.  Use a hot iron to create a crease.

4.  Sew the two sides of the fabric.

5.  Fold the fabric inside out.  You will have one side that is still open.  Carefully fold the fabric in on itself and sew the sew shut.  For more info on this step check out step two of my tutorial on a silk tie necklace.

6.  Pick a button and center it on your new silk tie square piece.  Starting from the back sew your button to the fabric.  Make sure to leave extra thread at the end so you can attach your earring hook.

7.  Attach your earring to the hook.

YAY!  You now have a new pair of earrings.  I think these work as dressed up or casual earrings.  They are fun, simple and unique!

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Here is how to reuse a necktie and tshirt to make a necktie necklace:

1.  Place the neck tie around your neck and pin it wear your clasp/button will go on the front.  Cut out any excess tie material from the center.  For my tie I cut 14 inches from each end and left the rest for another project.

2.  Sew each open side closed; then sew them together.

3.  To make a tshirt flower:

a.  Cut tshirt fabric into different sized circles.

b.  Use a needle and thread and sew around the edge of the circle.

c.  Pull the thread so the fabric bunches up togehter.

d.  To secure your new flower put the needle and thread through the center a few times.  Then, put your needle underneath the thread that is at the center of your flower.  Don’t pull it all the way through; just enough to create a loop.  Put your needle through that loop 2 times and then pull tight.

4.  Design your tie.  Use a button as your necklace clasp.

5.  Sew your flowers, buttons, button holes and whatever else you want on to your new necktie necklace.

I changed my design at the last minute….

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So, seeing as it is still super chilly at night around here (I wore a pea coat to dinner last night!) I have decided to give making a neck warmer/scarf sort of thing a try. Bonus to this item, you can switch it up when it finally gets warm and use it as a headband!

Here’s How to Reuse Silk Ties to Make a Neck Warmer:

1. Take two ties and place them big end to big end. Cover one tie with the other and sew across the top.

2. Cut one of the ties so that only about 6-8 inches of it is left.

3. Cut out some of the inside of the tie you just cut. Fold the ends so they fit inside the tie and sew it closed. Yay for creating a nice seam!

4. Take a third tie and place it one top of the middle tie (the one you just cut) and sew along the top and sides.

5. Take the two smaller ends of your long ties, cut out the insides, fold them in on themselves and sew seams (like you did in step number 3.)

6. DECORATE!

7. WEAR IT!

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I had a bit of a silk tie left after using part of it as a handle for a Don’t Forget Door Hanger. I love the colors and patterns on it and thought it would make a great bracelet.  Plus, I’d like to expand my knowledge of jewelry making.  I had a great deal of fun with this because I love jewelry and I love buttons!

Here’s How to Reuse a Silk Tie to Make a Bracelet:

1.  Measure your wrist with a flexible tape measure.  Place it around your wrist the way you would like your bracelet to fit (tight vs. loose) and see how long your tie needs to be.

2.  Cut your silk tie to your desired length.

3.  Silk ties have guts!  Cut out the fabric that is placed in the middle of the silk tie (about the top 1/4 inch).

4.  Fold the edge of tie where you just removed the guts and sew your edge shut.

5.  Make a button hole!  I have never used my button hole maker on my sewing machine and wanted to give it a try.  I love it!  Much faster than sewing my own button holes!

6.  Sew your buttons and whatnots on to your new bracelet!

HOW TO SEW A BUTTON:

1.  Thread a needle.  Tie a double or triple knot at the end.

2.  Start from the back side of your fabric (the part that is less likely to be seen) and push your needle through; place needle through one of the holes in the button.

3.  Cross over and place your needle through another hole in the button.

4.  Repeat this process one more full cycle.

5.  One the back side of you fabric thread the needle beneath some of the thread.

6.  This will create a loop; thread your needle through the loop two times and then pull tight.

7.  Cut off any excess thread.

See, almost as easy as eating pie.  yum.

If you HAVE to have this bracelet (and I completely understand if you do) check it out in the shop HERE.

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I’m a big fan of buying a reusable water bottle to take with you where ever you go.  I wanted to create a carrier for my water bottle so I can carry it with any bag I happen to be using on a particular day.  A couple of weeks ago my mother-in-law sent me a box full of stuff to reuse!  I was so excited and got the idea to use silk ties to make a water bottle holder.

So, here’s my version of How to Reuse Silk Ties to Make a Water Bottle Holder:

1.  Lay your water bottle down on your choice of ties to see where the top of the bottle ends up of your tie.  You’ll want to sew about an inch below that spot for each tie you attach.

2.  Sew your ties together by laying them right side to right side and sewing along the side.  Continue adding ties until they completely wrap your water bottle.

3.  Fold your ties in half (long way) and sew the bottom of your ties together .

4.  Choose the two ties you would like to use as your handle; cut them to your desired length.

5.  Cut the remaining ties 1/2 inch above the point you stopped sewing.  Fold that 1/2 inch down and sew it.  Flip your bag so that the right side is now on the outside.

6.  Choose some fabric for your lining; iron it.

7.  Measure your “tie bag,” double it, and add 1/2 inch.  That will be the width you will need for your lining.  Cut the height of your fabric so it is 1/2 inch longer than your “tie bag.”

8.  Fold the top of your lining over and iron it; fold it so that the right side meets the right side.  Sew the bottom and side together.

9.  Place your lining into your tie bag.  Sew it to the tie bag.

10.  Take the ties you chose for your handle and remove 1/2 inch of the inside of the tie.  Fold the fabric into itself and sew it together.

11.  Place velcro on each handle.

Now you have a reusable bag to go with your reusable water bottle!

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