Custom Handstitched Ties

One of my favorite things to do is to make Men's ties and there's nothing better to make it with than beautiful tie silk. While in New York last December I had the opportunity to walk the Garment District and visit so many incredible fabric stores. I found this silk at Mood Fabrics (of Project Runway fame) and fell in love.

Because it is difficult to find the proper interfacing and linings for a fine tie I resort to other options. I hunt for ties at thrift stores and bum them off my dad and others who are donating ties because the fabric is outdated. Then I strip the tie and scavenge the interfacing from it. (In the past I have used the old fabric for "tie" dying  Easter eggs.) For the lining I usually just use the tie material. This does make it slightly bulkier and slightly more expensive (tie silk is $25 per yard and lining is $8-12) but I like the look and, as I said before, it can be difficult to find a suitable lining.

It is possible to make ties out of materials other than tie silk. I have made them from Aloha fabrics, cottons, taffetas and satins. I am often asked to make ties to match prom and wedding dresses. These ties were a special gift for my Father. He is a collector of ties and was so excited to receive these beautiful one of kind neckpieces.

If you are interested in ordering a custom tie give me a call. I charge $35 which includes the (recycled) interfacing.

Handmade Gifts: More Love Monsters

Sometimes it is fun to do something a little different. Most of my sewing work is on clothing. Sometimes I do Home Dec work and occasionally I do sports equipment (hammocks, stuff sacks, etc.). Every once in a while I have the opportunity to make something totally different like these Love Monsters. 

My daughters got me on a Love Monster kick a few years ago when we started making them as gifts for friends. These little monsters were also made as gifts and were inspired by a similar monster my husband saw on a business trip in Korea.

These guys  sit up at a mere 6 inches tall and are made of polar fleece. There were a lot of little parts and details like the embroidery, stitching around the eyes and the tiny ears but they did go together relatively quickly. The most detailed and time consuming part was stitching and turning the teeny tiny arms and legs. The best part of these little guys though was the happy reception they received when gifted. They are dearly loved in their new homes.

Check out the first Love Monsters we made

Handmade Gifts: Pencil Pouch

Another Birthday party this last weekend meant another Handmade Gift. Afton made her friend a fuzzy pink lei and asked me to sew up a pencil pouch. This is the cute pencil pouch.

She loved it.

Handmade Gifts: Love Monster

The Love Monster is one of the many handmade gifts we have made.  This one was gifted just this past Saturday and was received with great joy and adoration.  Afton sketched the design and chose the fabric from my fabric stash and then I made the pattern and sewed her up.  The finishing touch is of course the embroidered eyes, mouth and teeth, and red heart. All the kids are begging for their own Love Monster now.