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Necktie Social
Also known as a Necktie Party, a Necktie Social was a public execution by hanging, a term used by cowboys in the American Old West; "Necktie" because of the noose around the neck, and "Social" because of the crowds such an event usually drew.
Necktie Social was also used literally, however, referring to a social event where neckties were donated and auctioned off to benefit charity.
Necktie Parties were also held in celebration of wedding engagements -- neckties were donated to the groom so that he could be properly attired as he began married life (a symbolic noose, perhaps?).
Here at Prairie Moon Quilts, we're hosting our own version of a Necktie Social, and we invite you to join us.
How the Prairie Moon Quilts
Necktie Social works
• We are accepting donations of neckties of any kind and color.
• The neckties will be cleaned and prepared for use in quilts.
• The prepared neckties will be packaged up to make quilt blocks, and volunteers are asked to make a block or blocks using the ties, and return the finished blocks to us.
• The finished blocks will be made into quilts that will be donated to charities.
• The neckties will be cleaned and prepared for use in quilts.
• The prepared neckties will be packaged up to make quilt blocks, and volunteers are asked to make a block or blocks using the ties, and return the finished blocks to us.
• The finished blocks will be made into quilts that will be donated to charities.
How you can help
• Donate neckties to the cause. Simply package them up and ship them to us at:
Prairie Moon Quilts
Necktie Social Project
31763 Intrepid Road
Macon, MO 63552
Please include your contact information in the package, so we'll know who to thank and give credit to.
• Download the instructions by clicking here to see if you would like to participate in helping make a Necktie Social Quilt.
• Volunteer to make a block or blocks to be made into charity quilts. Email or call us with your request, and we'll ship you a block packet(s). When you've finished your block(s), mail them back to us, and we'll see that they get turned into a quilt. We'll post pictures here of all the finished quilts, with information about the recipients, so you can be sure to see where your good works have gone.
Our List of Donors
Thanks go to all the following for their generous donations of supplies and time. (listed in alphabetical order)
Adena J.
Chamberlain Marketing Group
Cinda M.
Clifford C.
Col. John G.
Darlene (SewCalGal)
Dave B.
Diane J.
Donna F.
Dot V.
George L.
Grant C.
Jeani B.
Judy S.
Kathy K.
Katy K.
Kay B.
Lydia H.
Monday Night Threadbenders
Peggy C.
Richard P.
Rose Marie S.
Sal & Stef
Terry S.
Necktie Social Status Report
Here are a few statistics relating to the Necktie Social Project so far. I thought you might be interested in knowing a little trivia about the project. I'll keep this updated as more stuff happens.
As of July 1, 2010
Total number of ties received: 1441
Where they came from: 8 different states
Number of volunteers and donors: 25
Quilts made and donated: 1
Also received: Five completed blocks, batting, interfacing, backing, and ~35 yards of silk necktie fabric.
Thanks so much, and keep it up, everyone!
June News
We received several more shipments of ties this month, all from the great state of California. I'm now wondering if there are any guys left out there who still wear neckties!
Sal and Stef sent 13 . . .
Col. John sent 43 . . .
. . . and DaveB sent 17 . . .
. . . including this fabulous "Three Stooges" tie. I have special plans for it, so stay tuned.
May News
The first quilt is finished! And it's fabulous! And it's already found its new home.
The Macon County (MO) Relay for Life has accepted the quilt to be used as a raffle fundraiser for their summer event this year. So pat yourselves on the back, all you volunteers. This would not have been possible without the help of each and every one of you! I am so very grateful and appreciative for all the help I got from you -- THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Are you ready to start another one? I am! And it's going to be soon. If you'd like to help out, don't hesitate to contact me.
Oh, and I've posted the pattern for how this quilt was made in the Free Patterns section, so go grab a copy. It's a downloadable PDF file.
April News
I've been asked many times about how I prepare the ties for use in a quilt, and I finally managed to find the time to write a tutorial on that very subject. You can read that here: The Retirement Life of a Necktie. Now you'll know what happens to your ties once you send them to us, or what to do to your own ties for using them in a quilt of your own.
The first quilt is over 3/4 done, and should be finished by May 5, so be sure to check back to see pictures of it after that. Then we'll be starting on the next one!
March News
We received another shipment of ties, this time from GrantC. He generously donated 65 ties to be used in the project, and I'm sure we can put them to good use.
January News
Quilt #1 is over halfway done, and the donations just keep rolling in. I couldn't be more pleased with the way the project is going, and it's all thanks to the many volunteers who have stepped forward to help or make a donation. Thank you all.
Just this month we've received a donation of 18 ties from Richard P:
We also received this wonderful box of necktie fabric from SewCalGal, who has already donated twice before -- I can't thank her enough! This box contained necktie fabric, so the larger pieces will come in very handy. In addition, prep time will be greatly reduced, since the ties won't need to be disassembled.
December News
The Monday Night Threadbenders are on a roll. They just picked up over 30 block packets, so the quilt is well underway. The completed blocks from others are rolling back in, and the best news of all is: WE HAVE A RECIPIENT FOR QUILT #1!!!
The Macon County (Missouri) Relay for Life is going to accept the quilt and raffle it off for their next event. The money will go to cancer research. This is very good, and now I'm even more excited!
I received another box of ties from SewCalGal in California! Woohoo! She had already sent one box containing 50 ties, and I believe this second box had 76 more, if I remember correctly. We appreciate it so much!
I'll be posting a report soon of our first year's activity, so if you want to know how the project is going, check back.
