Learning to Fly... err.. Sew

The prototype process is difficult for me. Fabric is not a medium I am proficient in. It has definitely been a learning process to move from scissors to a rotary cutter and from clogging a sewing bobbin every 5 minutes to not having any problems. So needless to say I have gotten better at sewing over the course of this project.

The tie pattern I purchased for this project was extremely helpful although it had to be modified to accommodate the changes and still resemble a normal necktie. One of the largest changes was that the interlining was no longer an adhesive piece run through the middle, it becomes a complete backing for the tie so when it unfolds the whole area can perform as a filter. The next change was the addition of a 9 inch zipper the bottom back of the tie where the two halves meet. The 3/8 inch seam allowance given for the overlap of the pieces becomes the seam allowance to sew the front and back together. Given that this was the first model the zipper was glued in place to see if the functionality was in tact for its position.

Two elastic straps were meant to circumvent the head above and below the ears but this idea gave way to straps that snugged in behind the ears. This allowed for a tighter fit and also less elastic material to conceal within the tie. these were sewn directly onto the back (leaving stitch marks on front). I also stitched part of the cover piece that wraps to the back down to prevent any unwanted bunching. The tail of the tie is made in the same way except for the lack of an elastic piece and zipper. Once both ends are trimmed and turned right side out to conceal the seams the pieces are then sewn together and again trimmed up.

The entire tie is then quickly pressed to give it shape and folded to resemble its final shape. Starting at the tail it is then hand stitched up the zipper. A finished prototype, what a beautiful thing.