The ultimate chic 'upcycling' gift!

Holiday series with creative suggestions,
sewing patterns and fabrics

For the upcoming holidays, which will be different this year, we have worked out some beautiful sewing patterns for suitable and affordable clothing. So far: Vogue 1605 and Vogue 1520.

In this blog an idea to make a chic gift as an ultimate upcycling project: The idea to give neckties a new life. Ties are not popular anymore. Do you, or your friend, husband, son or neighbor, have a bunch of ties in the closet which are 'working' anymore? Ask if you can use them and turn them into a nice laptop sleeve!

Ties - downgrades or no longer needed
In general, ties are worn less and less since a few years. Dress codes or unwritten rules have declined considerably in the business world. Hierarchy is no longer determined by how you look (according to the rules) but what you radiate (your own personality).

In Germany, for example, the 'Krawattenpflicht' has not been present for a while at companies such as Aldi and Sparkasse. More and more companies are following.
People have always been much less strict in the Netherlands than in Germany. Watch a debate in the House of Parlemennt and you will notice that even in politics are no longer wearing ties. In the business world the tie is slowly disappearing.

Ties are still 'mandatory' during job interviews, official occasions and in certain professions (lawyers, notaries).

Upcycling of ties
The idea of upcycling ties is not so popular, because ties are not containing much fabric and the shape is awkward. Yet there are beautiful things you can make of them! And you are completely lucky if the ties are made of beautiful silk fabrics. Find a few beautiful color combinations together, and let's get really creative!

Do you not have any ties at all, but does the laptop sleeve appeal to you? Take a look at a thrift store. Sometimes you can find the most beautiful ties for a few pennies. You certainly don't need more than five.

What more do you need: not much. Preferably felt fabric, but another thick, soft fabric lining is also possible. Do you have a thick, slightly stiff blanket left? Then you can use it as a lining. Or a thick terrycloth towel, a piece of cloth from a duvet, sleeping bag or old cardigan. Important: the fabric must be a little stiff, thick and sewable (your sewing machine must be able to handle the thickness of the fabric).

In addition, a press stud and a beautiful (preferably silk) fabric for the lining.

Step-by-step

1. Open the ties with a seam ripper, remove all tags and carefully remove the lining.
   
2. Iron the fabric long and intensively (not too hot!), It will be difficult to iron out the shape.
   
3. If necessary, gently wash the fabric if necessary
   
4. Cut squares  of the wide part of the tie, or other shapes that you like.
   
5. Keep the narrow end of the most beautiful tie for closure.
   
6. Sew the squares together and determine the shape of the laptop bag by taking the measurements (plus 5 cm) of the laptop for which you will be making the cover.
   
7. Sew the front (right sides together) with the closure already on, the inside and the lining together, leaving a small area open (in a side seam of the lining) so you can turn the entire cover over to the right side.
   
8. Now only the finishing with a beautiful border, sew the small opening closed by hand and attach the press stud.
   
9. Iron out the wrinkles and check whether the laptop can easily be placed in it but is properly enclosed.
   
10. Ultimate finish: a nice label on the back of the laptop sleeve or pack it with a nice card or 'handmade with love' sticker / label on it.
    

This is an 'easy peasy' project for the seamstress with average sewing experience. For a novice seamstress it may be useful to practice first with an old piece of fabric.

Summarized:
We are creative and we love beautiful (silk!) ties for an upcycling project. Give them a second life and make somebody happy with a nice Christmas gift.

Make sure you choose nice color combinations, smooth fabric (ties or satin, silk, or shiny fabric).

A beautiful gift does not have to be expensive and upcycling fabrics is a creative and sustainable idea. Do you have any more ideas? We would like to hear from you!