Resistor Necktie

• Cut stripes from each colored fabric with the grain and reassemble a single piece of striped fabric.
• I used a serger to keep things tidy.
• Press the seam allowances towards the colored stripes.
• My stripes are a half inch wide with a quarter inch of seam allowance on each edge, and I left about 5 inches at the end of the "champagne" colored fabric that's meant to represent the ceramic body of the resistor.

• Fold your fabric into a triangle to find the bias-- a 45 degree angle from the grain of the woven threads.
• Lay out and cut the three main tie pattern pieces along this bias. A tie cut with the grain would try to twist on itself instead of draping flat and straight.
• It's less important that the two lining pieces be cut on the bias, so try it both ways if you're curious about the effects.

• Press iron-on interfacing to the wrong side of the cut pattern pieces.
• I used parchment paper to protect my ironing surface from sticky residue.
• Cut the pattern pieces from the interfacing.
• Use a low iron setting for synthetics with no steam.

• Pin pattern pieces to line up at 1/2" seam allowance.
• Use a straight stitch to sew the seams and press them flat with your iron.

• Press up each point about 1/4 inch.
• Press a 1/4 inch seam allowance along the nearby edges of both main and lining pieces.

• Pin the linings to the main tie with the recently pressed edges hidden inside.
• Use an invisible stitch to secure these lining pieces to the main tie.

• Press a 1/4 inch seam allowance along both long edges of the tie.
• If your tie fabric is very thin, install a piece of thick collar interfacing inside this fold with the ends tucked behind the lining.

• Fold these edges once more to meet in the center back of the tie.
• Press this fold along the length of the tie with your iron.

Use an invisible ladder stitch to join the seam along the length of the tie.

• Wear to your next formal occasion.
• A high-quality tie is all about the details, so take your time and you'll end up with a really nice finished product.