Watson

I have "inherited" about 125 silk ties. All have been washed, picked apart and pressed and are flat in boxes.

I know I will have to interface...I'm thinking SF101...a lightweight fusible?

I am going to use part of the tie as the main body of a paper piecing pattern called Colorburst by Sassafras Lane quilts, then finish the edges with the rest of the paper piecing. Clear as mud?

Any hints or tips appreciated.

Watson

Dedemac

When I worked with ties, I had better luck using starch to stiffen the ties. Then applied the interfering after the block was sewn. Some of them were too thick to work with when I put the interfacing on first.

Iceblossom

I made an Ugly Tie quilt from big Poly ties of mostly the 1970s... it was fun but not for everyone. I did crazy blocks and had to use the ties I picked out blindly.

I also did a lap sized log cabin with silk ties, they were from a friend's grandfather. It was much more subdued and I foundation pieced on wool. It was a memorial project.

The biggest thing I learned is how dirty ties are, even if they don't look it. The gutting and prepping is the big thing. While there can be a lot of fabric in a tie, there is a lot that was simply unusable by me so I got a lot faster in the prep and what I was willing to work with.

cashs_mom

There is a lightweight woven made especially to use on silk. I haven't bought any in a long time so I've forgotten the name. I would use a lightweight woven, but I've never been a Pellon fan since my garment sewing days when I had Pellon interfacing start to shred after washing.

magicmoonmusings

I suggest tricot knit fusible interfacing. It's almost gossamer thin and light yet stabilizes wiggly fabrics beautifully. I've used it a lot for silks and damasks.

cashs_mom

Yes. That's what I use. I remembered the name. There is one called Touch of Gold. As I remember it bonds with low heat for use with delicate silks that you can't use high heat on

maryb119

I made a Grandma's Fan quilt using my brother's ties. I took the ties apart and stabilized them with a fusible Pellon interfacing. Then, I cut the wedges and didn't worry about grain line because they were stabilized. It turned out pretty. My niece treasures it.

cashs_mom

What a thoughtful thing to do