Woven Ties

**This is a part of our ‘All Things Checkers’ series–Make sure you watch the tutorial on how to make a Basic Half-Strip Checkerboard if you haven’t already!**

While I am sure there are easier ways to make a duct tape tie, I of course am going to show you the complicated and cool duck-o way. We are going to stick with the weaving not only because it goes along with our checkers theme, but also because it makes it a lot easier to fold them without a bunch of wrinkles. Plus, as an added bonus, they look like a work of art when finished. They also take a lot longer than a plain one, but trust me–they come out way nicer especially if you are unpracticed in the art of duct tape.

So, this post I am going to show the basics of making a tie as well as introduce a new weaving technique. Next time I’ll show a second technique as well as how to take those two techniques and make a variety of patterns.

The one we are going to do today I call “the biased diamond”. I am sure there is an official name for it but I just don’t know what it is.

So here we go. First lay out 36″ worth of 8″ long full strip. Cut them into half strips. Then in the center of your green strip lay a half strip of your contrasting color at a 45-degree angle.

Next, pull up two of your strips just like you would if you were making a regular checker board. The only difference here is the strips fold over at a 45 degree angle. Weave with 14″ pink half strips, moving up the length of the tie at the same angle.

After you have gone up as far as you can, lay down a half strip of pink at a 45 degree angle square with you first strip.

Okay, this part sounds trickier than it actually is. To make it easier you may want to mark your tie to 8″ wide all the way up. Now place the corner of your ruler on the outside corner of the tie. Pivot the top so that it angles in and hits the line at 2 and 1/2″. Draw a line all the way up following the same angle and repeat for the other side.

Cut out the front “square” at the tip of the tie. Pull up tie and lay sticky site up.

Pull a 4″ square and cut into two triangles. Line up the tip of the triangle with the tip of the notch and lay the triangle flat.

Now fold the pink strips over your green triangle and press firmly.

This is where the wrinkles happen, but just don’t panic–I wasn’t kidding when I said that the weave makes it easier. Plus, because it has so many layers of tape, it will hide a lot of the wrinkles that you may get anyway.

On your mark, get set, go! Hold the edge of your tie and fold to the middle. Don’t worry if it covers the entire green triangle. Press evenly up the tie until it is as flat as possible. Repeat with the other side overlapping just a tad. Phew!

Next lay your second triangle over your first. Fold down your pointy corners and trim with sharp scissors.

If you are doing yours clip-on style like I do, it’s all done but the tying. If not you are going to need to lengthen the tie. Now keep in mind that tying a duct tape tie aint’ as easy as silk by a long mile. You are going to want to keep your “tail” skinny skinny. If possible use a thin brand of tape like scotch brand to make it a little easier to tie later.

Lay out a 28″ or so full strip. And trim off your uglies. Lay your tie in the center then fold the tape over so that it is about a half and inch at the top.

Add your scraps to your duck-o ball and you are done!

**Yes I know my pictures are sideways. This post was done via satellite with an iphone and an adorable husband across the sea. Until I replace my broken down computer. This is going to be about as good as it gets. o.O**