DIY Patriotic Wreath with Cheap Neckties

I’ve amassed a hefty collection of cheap neckties from thrift stores and have posted one tie craft previously (DIY wine gift bags). And once I saw this necktie wreath project in Good Housekeeping, I obviously had to try it for myself! And for extra fun, I decided to use novelty ties in red, white, and blue to make a DIY patriotic wreath.

Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve upcycled some neckties from the thrift store. Remember these wine gift bags that I made?

This project, however, is obviously very different. And once I had the cheap neckties from various thrift stores in hand, I gathered a few wreath making supplies and got to work!

This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.

Necktie Crafts

First, I cut each patriotic necktie to a 15″ length, leaving the wide, pointed end in place. In other words, I cut off the narrow end of the tie.

Then, using a standard-sized wire wreath form from the craft store, I attached the cut end around the frame and pinned to itself with a safety pin.

In the below photo, you are looking at the FRONT of the wreath frame.

Next, I wrapped the necktie tightly around itself so that about 2″-3″ of necktie pointed out from the edge of the wreath frame. Then, I simply pinned it in place with small safety pins.

In the below photo, you are looking at the BACK of the wreath frame.

And here it is from the FRONT of the wreath frame.

Then, I did the same thing again, overlapping ever-so-slightly with the next necktie.

I lined it up so that the wide corners touched and I could, again, pin them together.

Here’s how it looked from the front. And don’t worry – those safety pins will disappear in a moment.

DIY Patriotic Wreath with Cheap Neckties

Then, I just kept going around the patriotic wreath with the used ties.

When the entire wreath form was covered, I got out a needle and thread to add quick stitches to the following spots:

• Corners of neighboring neckties;
• Back of wrapped neckties (on top of the frame back; neighboring ties)
• Back of flap to wound tie (stitched to itself).

It didn’t take long to do and it’s possible you don’t need to add the stitches, but it just made everything seem more secure. 

And of course, Cottonball had to help, which always makes me nervous when I’m sewing around him.

And if you remember, my sewing nerves around kitties inspired me to create this hidden pincushion project!

Once I had added all the neckties to my DIY patriotic wreath, I tied a loop of red ribbon to the wire frame in the back. It looked marvelous on our red front door!

So let me guess- now you’re going to look for cheap neckties the next time you’re out thrifting, right? Well, there are usually no shortage of them at the shops, BUT I do have some recommendations for a tie wreath like this:

• Stiff ties work best (i.e., ties with “body” so that the flap stays in place);
• Silk is always wonderful, but don’t pass up the much-teased-about polyester necktie. Why? See first bullet- poly ties are remarkably stiff;
• Hit various fashion eras- the different widths come in handy, not only for appearance but to help cover your entire wire wreath frame; and
• Never pay more than $1/necktie. More than that and you’re overpaying for something you’ll be cutting up.

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for patriotic decor, then you’ll love this collection of repurposing projects in red, white, and blue!

Craft on!

S

Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?

Please subscribe here.

Join me on Social Media:

 

 

 

 

 
PIN ME!