Necktie Quilts Reinvented by Mary Copenhaver 11075

As life gets less formal, neckties don't get worn like they used to, leaving us with a stash of unused ties. Recycle those lonely ties into spectacular quilts and home accessories that look nothing like the typical stodgy necktie quilt! Use the rich colors, patterns, and textures found in silk ties to make striking Hexagons, Log Cabins, Lone Stars, Flying Geese, and more. If you don’t have a tie collection, you can pick up ties for almost nothing at yard sales or thrift stores. These quilts also look great in standard quilt fabric. Includes projects for both beginners and more experienced quilt makers.

Give old neckties a gorgeous new life with 16 quilted projects: lap quilts, wallhangings, runners, table topper, and pillows. Learn to wash ties, cut them the easy way (no templates!), mix colors into appealing designs, and tame slippery fabric for quilting.

Make uniquely personal gifts for tie-wearers of all ages in your life for Father's Day, birthdays, graduations, retirements, or just because!

Finding a dearth of attractive quilt ideas for using the excess neckties she had gathered for making purses, the author embarked upon a designing adventure resulting in 16 intriguing quilted projects made from neckties. She discusses the pros and cons of washing neckties, the anatomy of a necktie, deconstructing ties, fabric and color selection, and precision piecing and pressing. The section describing different necktie patterns and how to use them effectively was particularly interesting, especially the fussy cutting! The author shares her experience developing the use of fusible interfacing to stabilize the tie fabric for cutting with a rotary cutter.  Many of the quilts use traditional design elements such as half-square triangles, diamonds, Flying Geese, Log Cabin, and Dresden Plate. What makes the projects so striking is the way the designs and the necktie patterns interact and complement each other. The quilts, which vary in size, also have the skill level identified. What a wonderful way to acknowledge someone's retirement or commemorate the life of a deceased loved one! So, if you, or someone you know, have a stash of ties waiting for just the right idea, this book is perfect.