Sunday 21 December 2014

A tie for a gentleman

My husband is not a tie-wearing man. In over twenty years, the only times I've ever seen him wear a tie have been at weddings and funerals, so why would I ever make him one?! Well it sort of happened by accident... A few weeks ago I was invited to a sewing afternoon to celebrate the opening of the new Sew Over It shop in Islington. My youngest had been struck down with a sick bug the whole weekend, so by the time Sunday afternoon came around I totally forget to bring a project to work on. Lisa kindly suggested a few quick makes, one of which was making a tie. I had some vague idea that I could give it to my father-in-law or my son's teacher and set to work. I used the Sew Over It Tie Making Kit which I recently featured in my xmas gift round-up.  The kit includes pattern pieces for the front, back and lining as well as separate pattern pieces for the domette, which is the fleece-like interfacing used in ties (no, I didn't know that's what it was called either!)  The domette fabric is also included in the kit. 

I chose a navy polka dot cotton for the main tie (naturally), and a light blue polka dot cotton for the lining. As the tie pieces are cut on the bias, polka dots probably weren't the wisest choice as they're now all in straight lines rather than at an angle! The front and back sections are attached together and lining sections added. This is all done by machine and takes no time at all. The domette pieces are then positioned down the centre of the tie and the sides pressed inwards. The long seam is then slip stitched and that's it! I didn't slip stitch mine during the sewing afternoon as I was too busy chatting - I finished it at home that night and even though I hate hand sewing, it was a strangely satisfying job!




There is a degree of accuracy involved in pressing the sides inwards and getting a nice sharp edge at the tip of the tie. I'm sure if the Tie Police saw my sorry effort they'd lock me up and throw away the key, but I'm pretty pleased with it! Look, you can barely tell the difference between my tie and a posh silk one from Paul Smith….

Ties separated at birth:

Paul Smith polka dot tie….


Handmade Jane polka dot tie….

When I showed the tie to Jon and asked who we could give it to for Christmas, he immediately pounced on it for himself. Who'd have thought it eh?! I agreed he could have it for Christmas on one condition….. that he model it for the blog. Well, that was like a red rag to a bull, he insisted on 'modelling' it complete with pipe!




I can honestly say I haven't laughed so much in years as I did taking these photos! My (pretend) pipe-smoking, tie-wearing husband is in good company though, a quick online search provided him with plenty of famous role models: 

Gregory Peck

Cary Grant

Bogey

Clark Gable

And, because it's Christmas, Clark Gable again, with pipe... but no tie! Have a great Sunday everybody!  x





60 comments:

  1. Oh my ... I think you may have unleashed a new modeling career for the hubby! He's adorable, and it's obvious he's enjoying his new tie very much! Well done!!

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    1. Hahahahaha, thank you! His modelling pics still crack me up! x

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  2. Really fabulous photos and super-entertaining blog post. Hoorah for ties! Your man looks very dashing. He's solving a crime in an Agatha Christie novel, right?

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    1. YES! How on earth did you guess?! In the last photo he's accusing the murderer. x

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    2. How funny. I was going to say that I expected to see him in a vintage police drama! I think the tie suits him. Looks great.

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  3. Great tie! Great post! Love the polka dots!

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  4. Snazzy! Turned out great and seems rather simple - maybe I'll have a go for my dad sometime.

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    1. You should give it a go, it was much easier than I imagined! x

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  5. He's a natural! All spiffed up in his suit and handmade tie, he reminds me of Mycroft Holmes! Your Christmas tree looks lovely :)

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    1. Thank you! And yes he does look a bit like Mycroft Holmes when he's scrubbed up, not nearly so tall though! x

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  6. Great tie! Who would have thought that a non tie-wearing man would have pounced so quickly?

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    1. I know! The polka dots obviously lured him over to the dark side! x

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  7. Fun pics! I love your tree too :)

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  8. Julie from Jet Jet Sewing and I got into a conversation yesterday on IG about ties. I wish I would have known about those kits! Her and I both made ties as gifts this Xmas. I used Named Patterns pattern and wasn't thrilled with the instructions. Next time, I'm definitely ordering this kit!

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    1. It's a very good kit. I was just given the pattern pieces and domette on my sewing afternoon, but the kit also includes fabric and thread. I'd definitely recommend it. x

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  9. Loved this post, the Paul Smith one isn't a patch on your version :-) Fab photos, Gregory Peck too, sigh... Now there's a man!

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    1. Ah yes indeed, gorgeous Gregory! And thanks! x

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  10. Mmm, a bit of a showman but with a Handmade Jane tie who could blame him? Thanks for a fun post and especially all the pics of gorgeous men.

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  11. What an ace post Jane, love the tie, and what a good sport your hubby is! No matter what you said about him never wearing a tie, in my mind he will forever be a sophisticated looking, pipe-smoking, suit & tie wearing movie star type who speaks in a clipped English accent. (Brief Encounter style).
    Wishing a very Merry Christmas to the Handmade household x

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    1. Haha, that's just made his day! Well, he does have an English accent and it is a bit posh, so you're not far off! Merry Christmas. x

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  12. I love the tie! I love polka dots too. Your husband is awesome for taking pictures and really getting into modeling it! That's awesome!

    I've been wanting to make these and after reading this, I just might! It would make great gifts!

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  13. Oh I love the 'modelled' pictures! Had a good giggle over that one! :)

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    1. So did I! There were lots of unusable photos which were blurred - the camera was shaking because I was laughing so much! x

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  14. I love the tie and these photos are awesome. My husband would also enjoy pretending to be a distinguished, pipe-wielding sort of fellow.

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    1. Scratch beneath the surface and I think it's his natural persona! x

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  15. My darling hubby never goes anywhere without a tie on AND he smokes a pipe he has it in his mouth lit or not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. EXCELLENT! I think Jon will carry on 'wearing' the pipe, it adds an air of gravitas to any conversation! x

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  16. Wonderful post, wonderful tie, and wonderful, wonderful husband for getting into the spirit of blogging modelling!

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    1. Ah thank you! I think he's rather splendid too! x

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  17. Haha those photos are excellent! What a good sport. I think navy is a great colour for a tie too.

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    1. Thanks! I'm biased but I think navy is perfect for a tie too! x

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  18. Your husband is a fantastic model! Love the tie too.

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    1. Haha, the word 'model' still cracks me up! Thank you! x

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  19. Oh how lovely to see John workin' it! Great tie, fab model and of course, who doesn't love a bit of Gabe and Grant! Fab post Jane xxx

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    1. Haha, yes pipe in mouth is definitely Jon's idea of 'working it'! Thanks love! X

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  20. Great job - both of you. He looks very dapper!

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  21. bahahaha! you're husband is a HAM! I think the tie looks great! and I had no idea about the domette. good to know

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    1. Thank you! I know, I was super pleased to learn about the domette too! x

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  22. Tell your husband he's a good looking man, but don't let it go to his head! Love the photos - shows you both have great sense of humor!! Thanks for all the great blog posts of 2014. Wishing you all the best in 2015!!

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    1. You're very welcome, and thank you! I'll drip feed him the compliments, as you say, I don't want it to go to his head! x

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  23. Oh, you are the BEST santa for giving us that last Clark Gable! Also I've never seen your husband without, but he looks pretty damn fine in a tie.

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    1. Believe me, the pleasure was all mine Reana Louise!! And thank you, I think I'll make him wear a tie more often - it instantly transforms him into a 1950's detective! x

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  24. I love the tie, but your husband modeling it is even better. How handsome!

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  25. But he's not wearing the tie in the last picture......

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    1. I know! I included that last one as a special Xmas treat! x

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  26. Hilarious!! He models it so well, I hope he pops up on your blog again!

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  27. Just finished my tie!!!! Loved the kit, I hope my husband can pull out some poses as well thought out as yours to show his appreciation :)

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  28. Jon looks fantastic in that tie! Love to you all bx

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  29. OMG, this is too good! The tie looks great and your husband looks fab in it! Blake sported a pipe the first time he modeled for my blog, too... seems a fella likes a good prop when he's forced to model! ;) I'm feeling a twinge of guilt, though, as somewhere deep in my sewing space there's an unfinished tie that's been lurking for, oh, three years? Shudder!

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  30. Thank you, Jane. That's the cutest post I've read in a long time. Love the tie and the model. It's all too, too, too cute. Happy New Year!

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