My husband was about to give away a bunch of stained and old neckties, sensing a creative project I snagged them before they were donated.
I turned the old ties into these DIY Necktie Zip Pouches. A very very simple sewing project that would make great DIY gifts for your favorite guy!
Table of Contents
What Can I do with Old Ties?
I first posted this tutorial several years ago. Today I’m giving it a refresh and updating and clarifying the content and descriptions.
In the years since I’ve posted this Upcycled Neck Tie project, I’ve heard from many readers who were searching for something to do with old ties. Most of the time, it was because a special someone passed away, and they didn’t want to get rid of all of their precious items.
A friend of mine had a father-in-law pass away who had 12 grandchildren. They made one of these necktie zip pouches for each of the grandchildren (boys and girls). I thought it was such a touching way to remember their loved ones.
Important Details for the Neck Tie Zip Bag Tutorial
Each pouch is made from 2 ties, one for the front of the pouch and one for the back.
You will also need other supplies like interfacing and zippers. Those supplies will be listed below.
Are you surprised you can get so much fabric from a tie? So was I!
I had so much fun making these that I just kept going and made more. I think that this would be a great handmade gift for a man for Christmas but would work equally for a girl.
For one of the pouches I added a contrast stripe to the center (the fabric that’s on the back of the pouch). You could have a lot of fun mixing and matching the patterns of the ties.
I even reused the tag from the back of the tie, a fun little touch especially if the ties are sentimental.
Want to make one? Here’s how!
DIY Necktie Zip Pouch Sewing Tutorial
Supplies
- 2 neckties
- 7” metal zipper
- Shape-Flex Fusible Interfacing
- Fusible Fleece
- 1 fat quarter for lining
- Zipper foot for sewing machine
Construction Steps
Step One: Pick the Tie Apart
Begin by carefully pulling the stitches out of the back of the necktie. Most ties are basted together and the stitches should come out easily. Open up and continue unpicking the tie down to the point.
Next remove all of the interfacing and press the fabric from the front of the tie well. You’ll need some steam to get it to lay flat again.
Step Two: Cut your pieces and apply the interfacing
Cutting Directions:
From the tie, cut a piece that is 10” wide and 7” tall. Start measuring 10” from the widest part of the fabric. You can adjust the size if you need to based on the size of your tie, but this is pretty standard.
Cut a second tie piece from your other Tie fabric.
From Fusible Fleece Cut:
2 Pieces 7″ x 10″
From Shape Flex Interfacing Cut:
2 pieces 7″ x 10″
From Lining Fabric Cut:
2 pieces 7″ x 10″
Iron the Shape-Flex interfacing onto the back of the 2 pieces cut from the tie.
Iron fusible fleece onto the back of two fabric lining pieces.
Step Three: Create Zipper Tabs
Cut from the tie another piece of fabric that is 3” x 5”. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press. Open up and turn under each long end ¼” and press.
Cut this piece in half lengthwise so that you have 2 folded pieces.
Pin one folded piece over the end of each end of the zipper so that ½” of the zipper is covered by the fabric. Top stitch in place. Trim fabric to width of zipper.
Step Four: Attach the Tie Tag (optional)
Fold the tag of the tie in half and stitch to the right side of one of the cut tie pieces.
Step Five: Construct the Bag
Next make a “sandwich” with the zipper in the middle.
The right side of the zipper will be facing the right side of the tie fabric, the wrong side of the zipper will be facing the right side of the lining fabric.
Using a zipper foot stitch this seam, I recommend a ¼” – ⅜” seam allowance.
Repeat for the other side of the zipper.
Press the seams away from the zipper and top stitch along both sides of the zipper. This will help keep your lining out of your zipper and you zip and unzip the pouch.
Unzip the zipper.
Finishing:
Pin the pouch with outside pieces matching and lining pieces matching. Pin zipper towards lining pieces. Stitch with a ½” seam allowance round the entire pouch leaving a 4” opening in the lining to turn the pouch right side out.
Clip the corners and trim the seam allowances on the lining down to ⅛”. Turn the pouch right side out. Slip stitch opening closed and press well!
Have fun making zip pouches!
More Sewing Projects for Men:
(or anyone for that matter! It doesn’t have to be just guys!)
How to Sew a Bow Tie (with free PDF Pattern)
Dad’s Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
Leather Trimmed Dopp Case Tutorial
Michelle price says
Such a cool idea! I can’t wait to make these.
Janell K. says
I’ve been looking for some projects to make with my husband’s old ties. What a great idea!
Jennifer says
Love these! Thanks so much!
Anne says
I love this!! These would also make nice presents to remember a loved one who has passed away. I’ve linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-necktie-zippered-pouches/2013/11/09/
–Anne
Laurel K. says
These are awesome.
VickiT says
These are awesome. Thank you. A few years ago I had seen a super cute skirt made from men’s ties. The next time I went to the Salvation Army store I checked to see if they had any ties for sale and they had a ton of them. I bought a bunch of them so I’d have them when my Granddaughter was older so I could make some skirts. But, I think I might want to make some of these instead with those ties if I get time.
I was thinking that you could get ties easily at local thrift stores. I might look since I’d like to make a bunch for Christmas. The skirt sounds adorable btw.
Stacia says
These are such a great idea! I am always in need of little pouches to store things in, and ties at the thrift store are inexpensive which makes this a super budget friendly way of achieving them!
Chelsea says
My husband worked at Brooks Brothers while we were dating
These pouches will be the perfect stocking stuffer–manly, but great for travel. Thanks for the tutorial!
onel says
Smart and practical idea! Great upcycle project 🙂
Simple Simon and Company says
THese are so darling!!!!!! Love the idea!
Kathleen says
I love this pouch! I collected a bunch of my Dad’s ties after he passed away and would love to make some of these. But what is Shape Flex fusible interfacing? I know what fusible interfacing is but I’m not familiar with Shape Flex. Is it just a brand name and any fusible would do? Thank you for sharing your tutorial.
Peggy Winifred says
Love this idea. Sending the link to the crafty ladies group I belong to and to my “2014 Year of the Scraps” folder for same…
Thank you for sharing the idea!
Kim Hart says
This is such a cool idea! I love so many tie prints but didn’t know how I could use them…now I do. 🙂 Thank you!
Debra Kay Neiman says
I have a huge box of silk neckties… crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
Elaine says
Was looking for a “guy” pouch idea and found this! Now annoyed my dad got rid of all his ties 10 years ago when he moved… guess I’ll head to the thrift store! Btw, why use interfacing + fusible fleece?? Could it work with just the fusible fleece?
You need the Shape Flex interfacing- The ties are stretchy and the interfacing keeps them stable (so they don’t stretch) as you sew.
Hannah says
Have you tried expanding the sides to form a dopp kit, maybe using laminate instead of fat squares for lining? I like the idea of this zipper pouch, but my guy could use a little more room to store a razor and creams.
The size of the bag is controlled by the size of the tie- since a tie is in the shape of a triangle you could make it longer but not wider. I would not recommend laminate for the interior- if you press the bag, the laminate will melt and stick together on the inside making it so you couldn’t open it. You could use laminate as long as you never ironed the pouch.
Melanie says
I always feel the need to rescue ties at garage sales. I have a box of them and now have a great new project to try. Great tute. Thanks so much for sharing.
Evermine says
This is a fantastic idea! Love it.
Beth says
Melissa, Thank you so much for this tutorial. I found it on Pinterest and I’m making a bunch as gifts for my quilt group. Here’s one thing I learned that helped immensely:
When I used the older real silk ties, I found the fabric slid around and stretched out of shape so I thought I had a nice square cornered rectangle and then when I moved it, I did not…and then it didn’t match the other one I cut. So I finally got smart and cut the shape and flex FIRST, then ironed it onto the tie and cut. MUCH easier. Also, I could plan placement of pattern better that way too.
ties for men says
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Laura Nygaard says
Trying to find the shape flex. Is it in the interfacings?
Brian says
Brilliant idea! Being a male on the older side & a sewer, I have a wardrobe of old ties I no longer use, but I will now!
Shirley says
I can’t seem to turn pouch right so lineing is inside pouch….am I laying pieces together wrong.is there
a utube demo….
Mandy says
These are so adorable! However, I don’t think I can pull this off! Any chance you sell these?
Thanks for your time and Happy Holidays!
Cindy in Canada says
A few years ago, upon his passing, my Nan gave me a bag of my Gramps’ ties. One includes his Royal Canadian Air Force tie. I’m going to do this with the ties and give them to my Nan, mom and sisters. I think they’ll love the keepsake of him. Thank you for such a wonderful idea.
Marti says
That is such a super cute idea!!! I’d love to share it!
Frédérique says
Lovely, and so elegant! Thanks for the tuto 😉
Marty says
Melissa, thank you so, I love this idea! I have a box my uncle’s, my fathers’ oldest brother, and my fathers ties (both long past), this would be a very special gift to make all my cousins, siblings and nieces and nephews.
Kathy Clayton says
Melissa, this looks like a great project. My husband has so many ties that he never wears now that he is retired. For almost 40 years he wore a tied almost every day so he has quite an assortment and almost never wears one. Question: I notice you said to use a metal zipper. I have lots of zippers from years of making clothing plus a stash recently acquired from my mother’s sewing stuff, now that she no longer sews. Is there a reason for using a metal zipper over the plastic one before I set out to make a bunch of these for the kids and the grand kids?
No reason, I just like the look of the metal zipper.