Interest in sustainable and organic design emerged right at the start of this millennium. At that time, I was teaching re-design at the School of Organic Production. The realisation of just how polluting the textile industry is, and how exploitative the supply chain often is, was a sort of ‘point of no return’ for me. Nor was I in the slightest bit in any doubt when I set up my company – it was to produce fashion-forward clothing, but with respect for people and the environment.
Re-design and upcycling are, after all, a really clever way to approach sustainable design! Here, you can create a highly creative and individual look by transforming old clothes that are no longer worn, for one reason or another. And in this way, extend the lifespan of old items. But it’s obviously not a method that lends itself very well to mass production. That’s why I mostly use this ‘art form’ when I’m designing haute couture garments.
Congratulations to my mum!
A HUGE congratulations to my dearly beloved mum, who has just turned 70! To mark the occasion, I’ve sewn and recreated the tie-skirt…
The silk tie skirt is actually something my mum invented back in the 70s. She sewed it herself and has been wearing it for as long as I can possibly remember. It’s absolutely gorgeous! And now I’ve got it, because she thinks it’s become too short for her – though I did have to sew in three extra ties so that I could fit into it;) I wore it for my birthday, and I’m really, really happy with it! It’s both beautiful and full of old memories. My mum always says it’s ties from all the men she’s ever known! That’s not true at all. I don’t actually think there’d be more than 4 or 5 ties on that account. But hey! – it’s a good, funny tall tale 🙂
I’ve been collecting old silk ties from charity shops over the past year or so – to sew a new, long version for my mum as a 70th birthday present. Here they are – both the old one and the new one. And with that, the idea has been passed on…
If you’ve got a lot of old ties (for one reason or another;) they can be used for all sorts of things. I wanted to use the WHOLE tie, so I’ve created a hair flower/hat/brooch from the thin ends and two small bags from the middle sections – and, of course, the skirt.
Make your own upcycled silk tie skirt
First, cut the ties to the length you want the skirt to be, after which they can easily be opened and the lining removed. The pleats should be ironed out, but the tips should be left intact. It may be helpful to cut the ties to the desired size, but I would recommend leaving 3–4 cm at the top of the waist + seam allowance. And then comes the hard work…
It takes a LONG time, and it’s actually quite difficult, because the tie is cut on the bias and therefore pulls askew and is very difficult to sew together. So be patient! Otherwise, it won’t look neat. You could try hemming it first. A concealed zip makes for the most elegant fastening. Use a tie with interfacing and a waistband for the lining to hold everything together at the top. I’ve chosen to line the skirt so that it lasts longer and because there are so many seams at the back.
The centre panels I used for small, delicate bags are intact. In other words, I didn’t remove the lining fabric. They’re simply sewn together and gathered slightly at the top. It’s actually rather nice that it’s a bit thick for bags or purses. On the lining of the bag, I’ve sewn all the little logo labels from the ties onto a small pocket. Just for fun and for the sake of the story :)
Enjoy!
♪To all the men I loved before♪… With love, Johanne and Anne Marie Helger
Photographer: Thomas Cato.
You certainly don’t feel the slightest bit envious of that fantastic creative talent (NOT!)… In fact, it makes you happy that there are people with such great creativity and talent… Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you very much, Anette.
How lovely that you’re featuring the tie skirt. My grandmother has told me about the ‘swing dresses’ they used to sew from things like ties when she was young. No money but a flutter of excitement turned into an ‘upcycled swing dress’. She’s 88 today.
I’m working on my own, but I’m still missing a couple of ties. I’m a bit fussy, so it’s taking a while 😉 But thanks for the tip about the bag, the lining fabric and the sewing method. My grandmother can’t remember the procedure any more.
Dear Joan. There are many ways to sew it. This is just my way :)
Good luck…
When I first met my boyfriend, he surprised me by owning a pair of tie-front trousers. He’d sewn them himself during the winter of 1976–77. And he’d worn them frequently in the years that followed. They were worn for the last time at his brother’s milestone birthday in 2001. (Had they become too small, or had he grown too big?) They are now on display at Tidens Samling in Odense.
Dear Karin, LOVELY story :) Thank you!
Just a couple of weeks ago, I dug out my ex-husband’s ties – my idea when I put them away was to sew a skirt – now I’ve really got the courage to do it – thank you, Johanne, for your method of doing it – and a big hug to Anne Marie 🇩🇰♥️🇩🇰