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DIY jewelry

How to Make a Necklace from a Necktie: Three Upcycled Designs

Learn three ways to upcycle one necktie into wearable jewelry: a sewn ruffle, a knotted bead tube and a detachable no-sew tassel.

By ThatPainter Team 5 min read

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You can turn one old necktie into wearable jewelry with either a folded, sewn ruffle; a soft bead-filled tube that ties in a bow; or a no-sew tassel pendant. Start with the ruffle design if you have only a needle, thread and a button. Choose the bead tube for a flexible statement necklace, or the tassel when you want to avoid sewing and swap the pendant between chains.

Choose the design before cutting

Design Best for Main supplies Construction note
Folded ruffle Sculptural necklace made with basic sewing tools Necktie, pins, needle, thread, large button; optional snap Fold and stitch repeated ruffles from the back
Knotted bead tube Soft necklace with a bow closure Necktie, needle, thread, beads, iron Turn a sewn fabric tube, then knot around beads
Tassel pendant No-sew, detachable accent Necktie, jewelry wire, pliers, scissors, ruler, lobster clasp, iron Layer cut strips and bind their center with wire
Layered collar Broad collar shape Layered tie fabric, sewing supplies, brooch or button, Velcro or snap High-level variation; exact measurements depend on your neckline

Silk, polyester and blended ties behave differently, and their internal lining varies. Work gently when opening the back and test folds or knots on scraps before committing to a final layout.

Method 1: Sew a folded ruffle necklace

This is the most straightforward approach for a hand-sewn statement piece. Attosa’s 2018 ThriftyFun tutorial reports about 90 minutes for her project; treat that as her personal estimate, not a guaranteed time.

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Materials

  • One necktie
  • Sewing pins
  • Needle and thread matching, or intentionally contrasting, the tie
  • One large decorative button
  • One snap button if you want a separate closure rather than pulling the necklace over your head

Steps

  1. Lay the tie flat and decide where the necklace should sit. Keep the pointed end or a section with a pleasing pattern as the visual center.
  2. Fold the tie back and forth into a sequence of ruffles. Adjust each fold until the fullness looks even, then pin through the layers to hold it.
  3. Turn the piece over. Stitch across the top and bottom of each fold from the back, keeping the thread away from the visible front as much as possible.
  4. Continue pinning and stitching along the tie until you reach the desired length and fullness. Make sure every fold is secured so the ruffles do not unfold during wear.
  5. Sew the accent button onto the front or center area. If you prefer an opening closure, sew one half of a snap to each end and check the alignment before trimming anything.
  6. Try the necklace on carefully and reinforce any point that pulls. Trim loose threads.

Method 2: Make a knotted bead-tube necklace

A fabric tube creates a softer, bow-tied design. The tutorial by Aletha Israels, republished by Research Ecomakery, uses example dimensions rather than a fixed pattern: her strip is about 3.5 inches wide, she uses about eight beads, and leaves roughly seven inches at each end for the bow. Measure your own tie and beads instead.

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Prepare the fabric

  1. On the back of the tie, carefully split the existing stitches. Remove the inner structure and lining, then press the fabric flat.
  2. Cut one long strip from tip to tip. A skinny tie may not provide enough room for large beads, so plan on smaller beads if the tube is narrow.
  3. Fold the strip lengthwise with right sides together. Sew the bottom and long edge, leaving an opening for turning.
  4. Turn the tube right side out through the opening and press it flat. Avoid crushing delicate fabric with excessive heat.

Add knots and beads

  1. Leave matching unfilled lengths at both ends for the bow. Tie a firm knot near one end.
  2. Insert a bead into the tube, slide it against the knot, and tie another knot on the far side.
  3. Repeat the knot–bead–knot sequence along the usable length. Space beads by eye or mark positions lightly before tying.
  4. Hand-sew the turning opening closed. Tie the two unfilled ends into a bow around the neck and adjust the knot tension for comfort.

Method 3: Build a no-sew tassel pendant

Kim Pepper’s 2019 Salvaged Living project uses wire rather than stitching to form a detachable tassel. Her example is about seven inches long, made from strips approximately 14 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide; those measurements are project-specific starting points.

Steps

  1. Cut the stitches along the tie’s back and remove its lining or form material. Press the fabric flat.
  2. From the narrow end, cut multiple strips. Use a ruler for consistent widths, but alter the strip count and length to suit the tie and the fullness you want.
  3. Layer the strips, keeping their ends aligned. Fold the bundle at its center.
  4. Wrap jewelry wire tightly around the folded center. Use pliers to twist and tighten the wire, then tuck or trim the end so it cannot snag clothing.
  5. Trim the tassel ends evenly if necessary. Attach a lobster clasp to the wire loop so the tassel can clip onto a separate necklace chain. This makes the accent interchangeable.

Adapt the layered collar idea

The Do It, Gurl “DIY Necktie Jewelry” video outlines a wider collar: layer tie fabric, size it to the neckline, sew the layers together, join the top and bottom edges, and decorate with a brooch or button. Velcro or snap buttons can serve as connectors. Because the description does not specify measurements or a complete closure pattern, use it as a design direction and fit the collar directly on a paper or fabric template first.

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Fit, finishing and safety checks

  • Keep the closure or bow at the back or side where it will not press into your neck.
  • Check that button, snap and clasp attachments are reinforced; a single loose stitch can let a heavy accent fall off.
  • Cover or bend wire ends completely with pliers. Test the finished pendant against a scrap of fabric for snags.
  • Balance bead weight and ruffle fullness so the necklace does not twist while worn.
  • Do not assume the finished piece is washable. The sources do not establish cleaning instructions or durability tests, and tie fabrics and linings differ. The Make: overview notes laundering considerations when a tie necklace is sewn to clothing, particularly when silk is involved; store your necklace dry and follow the fabric manufacturer’s care guidance when known.
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The Bottom Line

For the lowest-cost, most adaptable result, sew the folded ruffle and add a button or snap. Use the bead tube when you want a bow-tied style sized around your own beads, and choose the wire-bound tassel when avoiding sewing or changing pendants matters most.

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