Ways to Reuse Old Neckties
June 17, 2008 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Home & Living
After Father’s Day is the perfect time to talk about what to do with unwanted ties.
There’s the donation option, but what if that tie, even though ugly or a bit worn, is special to you? Maybe it was given as a gift by your 10-year-old who’s now 30. Or maybe it just sat in your closet because you never wear ties, ever.
Whatever the case, there are a few reuse options you may enjoy. Most of these links will lead you to other sites with directions for the project.
1. Frame it up as recycled tie art.
2. Make a silk tie quilt.
3. Use it as an emergency tourniquet in your first aid kit.
4. Make a funky tie lampshade!
5. Hippie tie skirt, baby.
6. Use it as a shoe shine cloth.
7. Make one-of-a-kind place mats.
8. Make a school bag (pictured from CraftBits).
9. Make a Sneaky Snake.
10. Turn the tie into a dog collar (or buy one already made – pictured from buygreen.com).
Do you have any tie creations to share?
Dog collar image via buygreen.com. Tie purse image via CraftBits.
You might want to re-think the tourniquet option. Current first-aid theory holds that they’re only useful when the limb below the tourniquet is unsalvageable – say because of accidental amputation. Otherwise, you apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding, and pressure bandages to snake bites.
Bakaness, thanks for the info. I’m certainly not a first aid specialist. I came across that idea online and added the link. It does seem that tourniquets may cause complications and tissue damage in some cases. I’m wondering though, couldn’t a tourniquet still be useful if you were unable to stop bleeding through applying pressure?
It’s also depressing to think about, but I guess if you’re stuck on a mountain and know your leg’s not going to make it – a tourniquet would be a great thing at that point. Eek.
Thanks for the ideas, Peggy. My DH has a gazillion old ties he never wears anymore. I’m heading to Craft Bits to check out the tie bag idea right now!
I’ve also seen gorgeous skirts and vests made from old ties
)
Thanks for the ideas. I would like to add another one. I had one of those knitted ties lying around and ended up making 2 cute pin cushions from it. Have a look: http://www.mcuniverse.com/Pin-Cushion.1875.0.html
Noreen, I’ve also seen the tie skirts. There are so many tie uses, it seems!
Marlies, I like your tie creation! Very handy.
Thanks for information, paggy. Every building group I have ever run across has a need for help with their costume elements collection. They all go to good use. You have to roll all the way down to see all the images they are adverting, but it illustration fairly well how the author created her project.
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john smith
luxury silk ties
Another use for old neckties
I Use silk neckties to make a shoulder or waist strap to hold/carry bags when at the farmer’s market
or when a beast of burden for my wife’s shopping excursions.
The whole this is like a girth hitch for horse’s saddles only with an extra ring with a hook attached.
Need 1 1/2″ white pvc pipe, one old necktie and a wire coat hanger