The Necktie Iron-on-Ink Project That Got Away

Designer Betsy Burnett back with my next blog, and as I shared in a previous post, I am in the thick of my Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing season. So my first thought these days always is geared towards those efforts! My first thought when I was preparing for my necktie project was, “Ohh! I can turn it into a stuffed snake”.  (Yes seriously, look it up, they turn out cute!) I gathered my Iron-on-Ink and a Folk Art “Herringbone” stencil and set out to add a sublimated rainbow of color and pattern to the necktie, with the goal to create a cute stuffed animal. Right after I finished heat setting the tie, my daughter came home from work. A quick outfit change and some simple styling and I knew the tie had found its home. Not in a shoebox gift as an animal, but in my daughter’s wardrobe.

 
What is Artesprix Iron-on-Ink?
Artesprix Sublimation Inks are specially formulated heat transferred ink. These inks allow you to create personalized designs on polyester coated surfaces and polyester fabrics. Using plain copy paper, you create your design,, you then transfer the finished design onto your compatible blank using a heat source and pressure. The results are vibrant, colorful, and best of all permanent! Before Artesprix you needed a fancy printer to experience this level of personalization, but not anymore! 

Supplies:
Necktie
Sublimation Stamp Pads
Blending Brushes
Lo-tack Masking Tape 
Plaid Craft Fold Art Stencil - Herringbone Pattern
Copy Paper 
Scissors
Heat Tape
Protective Paper
Heat Source: Heat Press or Handheld Craft Press 
Step-by-Step Tutorial: 
Step 1: Position your stencil down on your copy paper and secure using masking tape. 

Pro Tip: Due to the length of the tie I used legal size (8 1/2” x 14”) copy paper.
Step 2: I wanted to create a rainbow ombre’ effect. I began with red, and then followed rainbow order blending one color into the next, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and then finished with pink. 

Step 3: Once I had filled the first stencil area, I repositioned the stencil to the paper in a blank area and continued the process. I filled 5 sheets of paper like this.

Pro Tip #2: Since I wanted to completely cover the tie with pattern and color, I thought the pink would blend nicely with the red when things wrapped back around when I connected things. 
Step 4: Cut 3 of your sheets in half lengthwise, (4.25” x 14”) the other two at the 5” x 14" mark. Your 5” wide strips will be used at the wider end of the tie. Then connect  the next strip of stenciled image (one of the 4 1/2” wide pieces). The final piece of the image strip will be the 3 1/2” wide piece.

Pro Tip #3: You may need to use scissors to cut out the excess white space, and/or lines of stenciled artwork, to make the pattern line up correctly. Use a small piece of heat tape to connect the images outside of the design on the edge.
Step 5: Place your necktie face down on your stenciled design. Hold in place with strips of heat tape.

Step 6: "Sandwich" your secured necktie in-between two sheets of protective paper. 

Step 7: Time to make the magic! Place your “sandwich” in your heat press. Press your design 400℉ for 60 seconds. 

Step 8: Be sure to “Peek Test” to make sure the colors transferred well after the first transfer to ensure success for the next sections. 

Step 9: Repeat steps above to personalize entire necktie. 
Optional: To achieve the exact look as seen in photo, repeat this process on the back side. 

Instead of "my dog ate my homework", it's a case of "my kid took my project". She tried it on, and the rest is now “Her-story”. I have to admit I LOVE how the tie turned out! The vibrant colors just “pop” ! And the daughter looks totally adorable in it of course. 
Tune in next time to find out if I ever turn an Artesprix Sublimation Necktie into a stuffed animal, or join the Artesprix Facebook Group. 
Happy Crafting! 
Betsy Burnett