I have started a stash of mens ties. Picked some up at Goodwill...some at Salvation Army....some off ebay....bought a large lot off of ebay....pretty nasty. will use gloves and wash them for sure first....If it can't survive the washing machine....then it doesn't become a quilt...THE BOOK is the key, a must how...I am using all kinds of ties, cotton, silk, polyester, linen....whatever...it will give the quilt character....there are all kinds of ideas out there do a goggle....and you will see, have found some for sell for thousands of dollars. OMG !!!! who would have thought