Molly's Sketchbook: Father's Day Tie

As you may remember we posted a Little Boy's Tie around Easter and it got a great response. Many of you were interested in making a larger version and what better occasion to do so than Father's Day which is on June 21st this year!

When I was growing up my dad wore a tie almost every day. But not the kind of ties you might expect. As an example; he had one, handmade by my mom, with flying eyeballs embroidered all over it. So when we decided to do a man's tie for Father's Day I knew I had to make it special, and not boring for my dad.

Liberty of London Tana Lawn seemed like the perfect fabric for the job. In addition to all of its amazing prints the Tana Lawn has a silk like feel that is perfect for a tie. But when I went to pick out the prints to use I couldn't decide which ones seemed manly but not dull so I enlisted my dad's help. He helped to pick out the three prints I ended up using and even sent this cute little diagram of one of his favorites:

I think the end product is a perfect Father's Day present. It's so easy and fun to make that you might find yourself making one for all the men in your life, and then maybe making one for yourself. This is also a great present for recent grads who might need a tie for job hunting. And it could certainly come in handy if you're planning a wedding as well.

Perhaps, now that I've mastered the basic shape, I will embroider some flying eyeballs on them but that might be a bit much?

If you'd like to make your own please visit my Father's Day Tie Project Journal. Happy Father's Day!-- Molly

Comments

[Josie (Molly's Mom)]

Nice ties Molly! You're carrying on a family tradition. Maybe next one you'll try an eyeball or two. I think your man would love it!

[Stacey]

Yay! I just made the little boy one for my son to wear to a wedding last weekend and my husband was disappointed I didn't make him one. Now I don't have to draft it myself!

[sushi pie]

yay for this. i am going to make one for me! i don't know any boys or dad's in my family who wear ties. i can make it as girly as i want too. ♥

xoxo,

sp

[Katie]

I made an Easter tie for my son using the little boy pattern and reworked it for my husband to have a matching tie. It turned out ok but a little short. Glad to see a pattern for a man's tie.

[nell]

is a piece of the tie back flipped on the pdf? i taped them together as directed but noticed that if I lined it up with the fold, the ends would be two pointed ends, not one pointed and one M. is this how it is supposed to be, because the directions say that the back/end should have an M end.

[Cindy]

You have listened to your 'public'. Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Nell,
Molly is enroute to California at the moment. I'll send her an email to have her check on this and get back to you as soon as she can. --Joelle

[nell]

thanks joelle. actually, i figured it out; one piece on the back needs to be flipped and one piece on the front. the "fold" line just needs to be aligned on all of the pieces. i am almost finished with the tie; i just need to add the lining and sew it up!!!

[Jennifer]

Awesomeness!!

[purl bee]

Hi Nell-
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. We are working on a new pdf but in the meantime we have advised everyone to flip pieces F1 and B2 as per your solution. Hope you enjoy your tie and thanks for being so understanding!

- Molly

[Agnes Nz]

I love the fabrics used for these ties, very colorfull!

[purl bee]

Hello All-

Just wanted to let you know that the pattern has been corrected and should be mistake free now. If you downloaded this pattern before May 26th, 2009 you should re-download it as the earlier version has some mistakes. Thank you all for your understanding!

- Molly

[melissa]

it never occurred to me to make a tie. how beautiful.

[geek+nerd]

These are gorgeous!!!

[k]

i love it! i love it !! i love it!!

[sharon-lizette]

How can you mention the flying eyeballs tie so many times without including a photo? lol

[Leah]

Love the ties! Here's my question though: I want to make matching ties for my husband and son for fathers day. Do I need to buy materials for both mens and boys ties or will the fabric and other materials listed on the mens tie pattern suffice enough to make 2 ties, 1 small 1 big?

[purl bee]

Hi Leah-
You should be fine buying materials for the mens tie only. Thanks for your question.

- Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Sharon Lizette-
I tried to get a photo of the flying eyeballs but my parents can't find the tie- it seems to have gone missing. If they even find it I'll post a follow up. Thanks for your comment! - Molly

[Brian]

Hi Molly,
Thanks for the great pattern for making a tie. I wanted to whip one up before next weeks quilt show here. I'm giving a demo on cutting with the AccuQuilt, and I made my tie out of MoMo's Wonderland Snip Snip fabric. It's the one with diagonal rows of scissors! It worked perfectly for a tie.

Keep up the great work... I love your site, and I'll be back often for more inspiration.

Fellow Quilter,
Brian
www.fellowquilter.com