Have you made a quilt from ties?
 

If you have made a quilt from ties, did you leave them folded, or did you open them out so all the design was visible. I just made a round Christmas table topper and am getting ready to start another necktie quilt and I am wondering if it might be easier if I leave them folded. Is the quilt too bulky that way? What do you like to do.

I never have, but I believe that on Fons & Porter yesterday they mentioned opening the ties. Then, back them with lightweight iron on lining like you do on tee shirt quilts. They said it was easier to use and/or cut into proper size.

I haven't, but I saved this picture, because it's so beautiful and so different from all other quilts with ties I have seen
(the 2nd and 3rd picture) http://queeniepatch.blogspot.nl/2013...ctures_17.html

I've made 2- both I take the ties apart & remove the inside stabilizer fabric- one of the quilts I then fused a lightweight tricot stabilizer to the backside (they were all silk ties) then refolded them and put the together in a Dresden plate pattern- the second quilt I cut the ties up (again stabilized with fusible tricot stabilizer- again all silk ties) I used the pieces in a crazy quilt. I also wash all of my ties before using them (after removing labels & interfacings)

I'm glad you posted this. I have been collecting ties and want to put together a tie quilt. I hadn't thought about stabilizing issues. Good luck with yours.

I opened them and washed them 3 times with Woolite to get the oils and colognes out of them. Each tie was stabilized with fusible to stop the bias edges from slipping.

If you want the quilt to be washable, you have to take the ties apart and take the stabilizer out of them. The stabilizer will shrink and distort unpredictably if left in.

Someone on the QB says she washes the ties in a bag in the machine first (keep like colors together), then takes them apart, then backs them with Pellon SF101 Shape Flex Woven Fusible . I bought some of the fusible on eBay to try out, but have several tops to finish before I get the ties out.

Thank you for the blog. Wow !

Thanks for all your input, really appreciate it. I did wash all the ties as I bought them at thrift stores and took them apart after washing. Removed the inner lining, opened the tie up completely, and then ironed on fusible. I probably should have used the fusible interfacing but didn't have any. Maybe on the next one I will fold them back into the original shape and give it a try. I finished the Christmas tie quilt yesterday, but can't get it reduced enough to post on the QB . Will give another try later.

I longarmed a quilt made from ties and she left them folded. The quilt was definitely heavier but it wasn't too heavy in my opinion. It came out nice.