UPS just delivered a box of men's ties from my step-daughter who collected them from her deceased step-father and FIL. She wants me to make her a quilt out of them. I've searched dozens of quilt books and magazines but haven't found a pattern. Anyone have a good pattern and/or advise I need before starting this project. Things I need to be aware of? Thanks, Connie

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/1252.page

Look at this thread.

I made a wall hanging and pillow from them and my advise is to use the same fabrics. I used silk, poly and had a hard time with the silk stretching out of shape.

i'm working on an all-silk log cabin. the blocks will not be identical, but will be distinctly dark/ light with bright yellow centers(i have a lot). i chose this because the tie fabric goes a long way when cut into strips, both long and short, with little waste. because silk is so stretchy, i will foundation-piece. that way i won't worry too much about grain.

so far i have washed the ties hot water in a lingerie bag, dried them in the bags in the dryer - i don't like surprises, , and then taken them completely apart. i recommend strongly washing all the reds separately. i had a lot of bleeding, but what i have now is safe whatever happens to the quilt. i then starched and ironed the ties. before i knew it, my children were asking all their co-workers, who were asking their family members for silk ties. what i got was a riot of silk stuff. ties, underwear, shirts, blouses, dresses, even men's boxers. everything got put through the washing-drying-ironing regime. i take everything apart, press it and store it. when i have 500 lbs. of the stuff, i'll start putting it all back together in a new and unrecognizable form. wish us both luck.

seriously, i think log cabins on foundations is the way to go. fast, easy, and least wasteful.

I saw a couple of quilts made out of ties. No idea how they did them but one was a dresden plaste using the small end of the ties and one was a fan block. Very effective. Marge

So do you recommend using only silk ties. A lot of what I have are silk-poly. I never thought about washing and DRYING silk but will give it a try. Thanks for your suggestions. Connie

if the intention is to ever wash the quilt again, then definitely yes, dry as well. in the washing, the softer silk loses it sheen and takes on a subtle brushed look and feel. it will not look like NEW silk anymore, even when crisped up. so why not dry as well?

i don't use polys because they don't behave like silk and most are heavier to start with, but if you are planning a wall quilt that will never be washed, you can use whatever you like and in the future have it dry-cleaned so there will be no bleeding. with no washing the ties, or any other silk, will keep all of their original color. mine will be used as a large lap quilt, and i expect to have to wash it from time to time.

an easy way to use all fabrics is crazy quilting with nice embroidery. same process for the silks. tell us what you decide to do. it would be interesting to get another take on this.