Necktie Necklace

Start by removing the wide end of the tie. I cut off about 8 inches. Make sure that it’s tall enough to fold the pointed flap down over your phone, plus another 1/4 inch for a bottom seam. Set aside.

Take the tie apart and remove the inner lining. Press your tie to remove wrinkles. If your tie is silk, use extra caution, especially if you haven’t had practice ironing silk before. It’s safest to put a pressing cloth or dishtowel over the tie, then to iron it with steam.

Now we’ll cut the tie into a rectangle. Measure the narrowest part of the tie, then trim off the wider portions to that measurement. My tie’s narrowest section is 3 inches, so I’m folding my tie in half and cutting 1.5 inches in. This should give you a rectangle with even sides.

With the tie folded in half, trim the ends at an angle to form a point.

Fold the tie in half lengthwise, with right sides together. Sew one short end shut, and sew the long side with a 1/4 inch seam. I found it’s easiest to leave a 3 inch hole for turning in the MIDDLE of the long side. Because it’s a narrow tube, this makes turning right side out much easier. Leave the other short end open so you can insert the beads.

Turn right side out through the middle hole. Then sew the hole shut with a 1/8 inch topstitch. If you’re handsewing, use a blind stitch or ladder stitch.

Make a knot in the tie, about 10 inches from the sewn end. This will keep your beads in place.

Now it’s time to add the beads. I’m using 8 1-inch wooden beads. They cost about $1 per package, but you can experiment and buy whatever is on sale at your craft store, because they won’t show.

Insert a bead in the tube, and slide it down to the knot. Tie a knot to keep the bead in place, and continue adding beads. Try to keep the front free of seams.

Stop when you have about 10 inches of tie left after the last knot. Fold in the raw edges of the tie and topstitch with a 1/8 inch seam. To wear, tie a loose knot at the back of your neck.