I used Woolite in a bucket to wash my ties before ripping them apart. Then hang them to dry. I then ripped the seam on the back and flattened them. There is an interfacing in the center that needs to come out. I then used fusible interfacing and backed the entire tie. The reason for using a fusible interfacing is that ties are completely on the bias. Once fused, you can cut and use them in ordinary piecing. Silk is a bit like a slippery eel, this controls the slip. Moda has a pattern, Simply Woven, on thier website that works well with ties and is quick.