Becky Striepe
I’m sure you guys have sorted out by now that I am crazy for upcycling neckties!
Part of my obsession is probably due to the humungo stash of vintage neckties that my friend Alicia gave me, but I also just love working with ties. They’re versatile, usually come in super fun patterns and colorways, and the shape lends itself to so many creative projects.
This necktie headband took me all of 5 minutes to make. Bing bang boom! Here’s how you can make your own.
Materials
- Vintage necktie
- Measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- Pins
- 2″ of skinny elastic (I reclaimed a piece from the waistline of a dress that I’m planning to refashion)
- Sewing machine and thread
Directions
1. Cut the skinny end of your necktie to 21″ long.
2. Fold the unfinished edge in by 1/2″ (you can choose to iron here, but I skipped it in the name of speed), and stick 1/4″ of one end of the elastic into that side of the tie. Pin into place.
3. On the other end of your tie piece, pin the elastic (about 1/2″ of overlap will do it).
4. On the side where you inserted the elastic into the fold, stitch across the opening to close it up and secure the elastic into place. On the end where the elastic overlaps the pointy end of the tie, use the zig zag stitch to sew up and down where the elastic and tie overlap.
5. Trim off your excess thread, and you’re ready to accessorize!
You could fancy this headband up, if you want. Maybe you can make a fabric flower out of part of the necktie that you’re not using or use a freezer paper stencil to add a custom design.
I love this idea! Super cute and easy.
So simple and so perfect!
Thanks, Nicole!
Nice idea! I like how simple it is to make the headband. It makes me kinda wish that my wife would wear something like this. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I made one today. It took about 5 minutes. I forgot to make the edge neat, but I sewed it by hand and it looks decent on my head. I also have SEVERAL other ties in order to work on my technique in the process. Look out, thrift store! I bought the ones I have now from a charity fabric sale called Threadfest in Nashville, TN. I had so much fun and it went to help the active agers (50+) at the Fiftyforward Knowels Center (Shameless plug). Now, what to do with the rest of the tie? Any suggestions?
How long did you cut the elastic? Thanks!!
You just want about two inches of elastic, which is nice because you can use up those teeny-tiny leftover bits. That length of elastic in the headband won’t pinch you, but it still has a lot of give to it.