A take can take a man’s outfit (sometimes women’s) to a whole different level altogether. The accessory can provide personality to your style. Often, it’s the finishing touch that can make heads turn. Learning how to sew a time to give to your significant other can make him feel pretty special.

Gifting a tie you made yourself to your loved one is just as significant as red roses since it truly expresses your concern and care. Although making a tie is not one of the simplest sewing projects around, it surely is a handmade gift idea that can leave a lasting impression. 

In this sewing tutorial, we will make a 60-inch long by 3 1/2-inch wide tie. If you have a little sewing experience or in a hurry, you can finish this in under an hour. Still, being meticulous can go a long way in terms of the final result. So if possible, take as much time as you can tie sewing the tie to achieve perfection.

Materials You’ll Need

  • Pattern. There are numerous free tie patterns online. Generally, it will have 2 pieces lining, 2 pieces facing, and 2 pieces interlining. 
  • A pair of sharp scissors
  • Very sharp pins
  • 1 yard of silk or fabric of your choice
  • 3/4 yards interlining fabric with wool is the most preferred one to get that luxurious look. Nevertheless, cotton or interfacing will work just fine.
  • 1 yard of lining fabric which will be basted to the main fabric (optional)

Choosing The Fabric

Without a doubt, silk is the best fabric for making neckties. If it’s not available silk-blend and a woven woolen cloth will also work. When choosing a fabric, go for a color, texture, and pattern that coordinates with the suit, shirt, or jacket that you plan to wear it with. If you’ll give it as a gift, select something that will go well with just about any color or style. 

You have endless choices out there, from handmade cotton to textured fabrics and psychedelic prints. However, most men favor shades like blue, navy blue, teal, grey, grey, and other neutral tones. In terms of prints, they favor polka dots, herringbone, and anchor. Being able to choose and make a unique item is one of the perks of knowing how to sew a necktie on your own.

Length Of The Tie

A too short or too long tie can make anyone wearing it very sloppy. The ideal tie length is that its tip should be touching the middle of the belt buckle or its widest part should be touching the belt’s top. If you’re very tall, you may have to make the length of your tie pattern longer. This allows you to knot it comfortably while ensuring that it lies till the belt. Meanwhile, the narrow part of the tie should be smaller than the height of the collar. Otherwise, it will be visible on the outside.

To make the tie, make sure to cut the fabric on the bias at a roughly 45-degree angle. If not, your tie will just go round and round when you wear it and not lie straight down.

Instructions On How To Sew A Tie

Step 1: Make the pattern

Follow the instructions of the pattern you downloaded. Make sure to take note of the seam allowance needed for your neck tie.

Both the 2 tie patterns and the lining pattern are the same. The lining is a copy of your main pattern. You also need an interlining pattern and 2 facing patterns for both ends. 

Place the pattern for the tie on your fabric and draw around it and cut.

Press your silk fabric gently with a silk setting or as per the fabric of your choice. Then, place your pattern on the fabric with the wrong side diagonally. You will cut the first piece diagonally while the next one can be cut on the straight grain. 

Cut the lining and interlining the same way as well, and then cut your facing pieces. 

Step 2: Join the pieces together

Join the two pieces of all your patterns, including the tie fabric, lining, and interlining.

Step 3: Baste

Keep your lining piece and main fabric with the right sides together. Line up the edges and baste them in place.

Fold up the tip of the fabric at 1/2 inch and then press in place. Do this for both ends and for the facing pieces.

Step 4: Stitch the seams

Place the facing piece and the tie fabric with the right sides together. Next, place the edge of the facing at about 1/4 inch outside from the tie fabric. Stitch along the side with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Do the same for the other side and stitch until the fold line you had made earlier.

At this stage, the facing piece will be slightly smaller since you extended the edge. Also, the tip of the triangular shape will not be aligned and there will be a small fold at the tip. That is ok, so just leave it be.

Fold the two pieces by the center, so that the facing piece is inside. Sew a 1/4 inch horizontal line from the tip where you had earlier folded. This stitch line should touch the stitch line along the edges. 

Turn your homemade tie inside out. By now, you will have a triangular shape at the bottom.

Step 5: Interlining

Insert the interlining piece inside of your tie. Make sure that it is positioned exactly in the center. Push it deep inside the facing and fabric pocket. 

Fold the side edges 1/4 inch to the inside. Press. Fold the folded edges again into the center so that the side edges meet at the middle. Then, press.

Use pins to hold the folds in place. Your pins should be extremely sharp when pinning expensive fabric like silk.

Step 6: Hand stitch the edges

Hand stitch to close opening along the edges. You may use a saddle stitch or hidden ladder stitch for this. 

A ladder stitch slides through the fold of the cloth, catching both edges together and the stitches are perfectly hidden.

At the bottom and top use a slip stitch loop to secure the tie fabric and interlining together.

You’re done! How to sew a tie at home is a great skill to learn. It’s very handy, especially when you want to give a personalized gift that can leave a long-lasting impact.