MommaDorian

Could I use silk neckties for a dresden plate? Would it work the same as a polyester blend? How do I iron out the wrinkles and folds?

TIA

the casual quilter

I saw a Dresden Plate quilt made from silk ties at a quilt show this weekend and it was stunning. After you've taken the ties apart, set your iron on silk and press them. I've done this an it worked great. I even used steam and set my iron a little hotter than silk it was fine. You will probably have to use a fusible stabilizer on the back of the ties to give them a little body so that they sew easily. If you do, use a light weight or featherweight stabilizer. Some of those silk ties are made of really lightweight silk.

earthwalker

Yes, as the casual quilter said, they look stunning.

I plan on doing one and have started collecting ties. I carefully take them apart first, wash by hand and iron whilst still a little damp. If you do this, you will then see which bits are usable (check for stains, worn bits). You can actually get quite a lot of fabric out of some ties, specially the wider ones. Washing them gets out the majority of the creases and also any residue of dry cleaning chemicals.

Holice

there is an interesting article and direction on using silk ties in the current issue of McCalls magazine. Gives some direction for preparing them for cutting.
Also the book "Daddy's Ties" by Shirey Botsford is very good on using silk ties.