Bored with my neckties, let's talk about options

[figheadair]

Slightly OT but reference Reproduction Colours

Here's what DC Dalgliesh has to say about this palette:

"Probably the most historically authentic tartans on the market, derived from fragment of tartan cloth more than two centuries old, dug up from the historic Culloden Moor in 1946. Careful analysis and research into the original dyes by DC Dalgliesh led to a range of tartans designed to be authentic in colour and design to those worn in 1745 and before. They have a soft muted effect reminiscent of the days when vegetable sources such as lichen, moss and alder bark provided the dyer's raw materials."

I'd take that with a grain of salt, but still, the colours are appealing.

Absolutely, a whole salt cellar in fact. Complete and utter marketing nonsense. Years ago I challenged Kenny Dalgliesh to produce said artefact and/or the dye analysis which, given the alleged provenance, would be of considerable historical importance. Funny old thing, he never replied. The claim about vegetable dyes demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the source of many 'traditional' natural dyes.

[kingandrew]

Tobus,

I have read that in the old days, neckties were made just by folding the silk material several times. The canvas linings and such came along later as cost concerns led manufacturers to leave out the silk that doesn't show. Given the reputation for high quality (and price) that Robert Talbot ties enjoy, I would expect that they would have a bit more silk to work with than some of their lower-cost competitors. It certainly sounds like it will be a good project.

Richard,

I like the sporran tie and the one with the marching pipers. Although I usually don't care for pictorial novelty ties, the pipers make a really striking design.

Andrew

[Tobus]

I found similar lining tacked only in a few places when I narrowed the tie I described earlier. This may not always be the case, but I bet is usual construction for ties. I'm glad you discovered that narrowing a tie doesn't involve space engineering math.

Ha, well, mathematics don't scare me. I have an engineering degree, I'm a licensed professional engineer (and the regional head of engineering for my company); I am elbow-deep in engineering calculations all day long. I would actually be more comfortable with the project if the maths were the hardest part! The intimidating part of the project, for me, would be the fine hand-stitching and pressing to get it to lay and hang perfectly without any wrinkling or 'tucking' at the edges. I suck at anything that requires superfine motor skills. I have shaky hands - essential tremors run in my family - and I have noticed it more and more over the last few years (I'm in my mid-40s). So far, it only affects my hands, but it is frustrating to do something like small needlework.

[frank_a]

My favorite ties are the Tommy Bahama ties. Easy going, nice colors, really not novelty, but pure silk, expensive though, but really nice patterns. My ties look much like yours, but I do add a little more "color", or variety, with such ties as:






You get to wear almost a vacation in the islands....

I love this flamingo tie! I am into flamingos in general, even my coffee mug at home.

Frank

[frank_a]

If I can figure out how to do pics here (again), I will be retiring soon and have a number of nice, mostly silk ties to swap. I'll try and lay them out for a pic soon.

I bought a beautiful subtle brown/green window pane tie at the recent games here, made by Green Grove Weavers in Scotland. I need to wait for cooler weather to wear it. It will be a great kilt tie.

Frank

[Tobus]

Haven't had much time for this project, but I think I'll start by reducing the width of this tie from its original 4" width down to 2.5". I've measured and marked the inside lining material for cutting down 0.75" from each side. I had to unstitch the tie far enough to re-taper it. Once I've cut the liner, I'll press the tie flat and then unstitch where the grey backing meets the sides. After that, I think I should be able to just trim away the same 0.75" from everything else, restitch the grey backing at the newly-cut sides, then fold it and press it to its new width. Last step will be stitching the folds back together, similar to the way it was before with a simple hidden stitch.