Thanks to clip-on formal wear, knowing how to make a tie properly has almost become a lost art. Furthermore, ties themselves have become so mass produced, they are beginning to lack style and quality. For this reason, men who love the classic look will appreciate a tie made with care and time, and finally - wear it the correct way.
Homemade Formal Wear
It's always been easy to purchase a tie. Every men's department carries them, and they are available in every size. However, as the workplace becomes more casual, selection has begun to wane in certain stores, and overall quality has plummeted. What was once the mandatory accessory for holding together a look has become a nuisance and foreign object to a new generation of men who are opting for clip-on versions, or are ditching the "stuffy" style altogether.
Despite all this, most women still adore this old-fashioned style on their husbands, and some men are still embracing quality ties - either for professional or nostalgic reasons. Elite offices continue to require ties during the work week, and of course they are still worn quite often for weddings, funerals and other occasions where respectful dress is appreciated.
If you aren't finding a tie that suits you, it is easy to make your own. Simpler than sewing an outfit, and customizable to match any business suit, learning how to make a tie is a great activity for a stay-at-home mom who wants to "clean up" her man, or for a business executive who is growing tired of rotating the blue and black tie options found in his closet.
Step by Step Instructions
- First, you will want to buy a quality silk at a local fabric or craft store. Finding silk is not difficult, but finding one appropriate for tie making can be more of a challenge. Always ask the advice of the salesperson, as he/she will know which textiles work best for particular projects. When selecting a silk, you may want to stock up on both classic designs and fun patterns, so you will have a tie for every occasion. Ties don't need to be stodgy looking, and many men express their unique personality quirks through their tie design.
- Once you have purchased your silk, lay it face down on a flat table and iron out any folds, creases or wrinkles found in the fabric. Place a tie making pattern (also available at your fabric store) on the fabric and trace with a piece of chalk on the back of the silk. Take your time and be careful not to stretch out the material as you draw, or else your tie will be too large or stretched out. You will also want to draw the stitching lines before you cut or sew anything together.
- Next, fasten together the back sides so they are facing each other against the base of the tie. After you have sewn along these stitching lines, take the end of the tie and flip it inside out. Turn the tie over and sew in the same manner, until both ends are securely fastened. Then, sew the two halves together. Do a quick once over to check for symmetry and then iron out your final product.
How To Make A Tie Fit Properly
So you're a wife who hands the tie to your guy, and he stares at you, clueless. Chances are, he never learned how to make a tie fit properly, and now there is another project to undertake! The Windsor Knot is the most basic (and common) tie process, so this should be the first your tie rookie attempts to master.
For a Windsor knot, the wider end of the tie should hang approximately twelve inches below the other. Cross this wide end over the narrow end, so the wide end is overlapping to the right. Next, bring the wide end through the formed loop in between your tie and collar, then pull it back through. Pull the wide end underneath the narrow, back into the loop and back to the right so that the wide end is now lying inside out. After this, bring the wide end over the front from right to left. Once again, pull the wide end through the loop and then bring this end down through the knot that has been created in front.
Sound confusing? It may take a couple of tries to learn how to make a tie look perfect, but fortunately there are pictorial websites such as Tie-a-Tie.net available to help you out. You can also learn more advanced tying techniques such as the Pratt and Half-Windsor.
When wearing a tie, men may find people take them more seriously, and they garner a whole new level of respect they were never expecting! This will make the battle to get them to wear one well worth it.
