Re old ties. Several years ago I bought 2 big BOXES of ties from (I don't remember). I tossed them in the washing machine, figuring that the ones that didn't make it should be thrown away anyway. They all survived, and most of the stains came out. I didn't put them in the dryer - didn't have THAT much courage! You should have seen my clothes line! My husband thought it was so funny that he took pictures. If I knew where they were, I'd post them
Next came the BIG job of unsewing them and removing the interlining. I sorted them @ color and foundation pieced a bunch of burgundy and gold blocks, intending to make a quilt. That turned out to be the year that my granddaughter asked for a red robe, so I used the blocks on the robe. Fortunately, she asked for an extra big robe, and she hasn't grown much, so she's still using it!
Foundation piecing is perfect for old ties, because they are made on the bias.