<p>To prevent (actually: to minimise) fraying, you can use <strong>zig zag scissors</strong> known as pinking shears. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/CADkU.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/CADkU.jpg" alt="zig zag scissors"></a></p>

<p><br>
And you can use <strong>non-woven interfacing</strong>. Make sure you choose a type that has a pre-glued side. You can iron it to fabric. It prevents fraying and deforming.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-22T13:12:45.823Z
+1. Zig-zag scissors look odd, but they really work.
Rand al'Thor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-18T17:39:59.680Z
2016-05-19T00:27:20.227Z
2016-05-19T00:27:20.227Z
Ji Ugug
<p>You need to stiffen the fibres so that the thread does not tear though them while you are sewing. </p>

<h1>Clear nail polish</h1>

<p>I ended up buying a small container and applied in all along the edges of the tie tail. About a 1/4 inch all around. </p>

<p>After letting it dry it gave something for the thread to hold onto. Made it loads easier to get cleaner results. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yJziK.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yJziK.jpg" alt="Better done tie splice"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T15:05:57.807Z
Downside appears to be that it completely changes the pattern of your tie though :
Nick Udell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T15:36:15.333Z
@NickUdell Very true. That depends on the complexity of the design and the willingness to let that go for something that is not seen very often. That, in at least my case, I can accept it. I tried to line some of them up but a stitch every 10 is too tight or something and then at the end the pattern is misaligned
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-19T00:28:27.220Z
@creationedge I didn't need to remove it. It's hidden inside the tail now
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T01:27:08.140Z
2016-05-17T01:27:08.140Z
Matt
<p>I was making some clip on ties for work for me to wear on casual Fridays. I could not wear regular ties with t-shirts as that would just look odd. I picked up some second hand ties to make into clip on ties. </p>

<p>Fairly easy thing to do but the issue came when I had to shorten the tail of the tie. I needed to but about 5-8 inches off and sewing them back together was difficult. The fibers used in the ties are very frail especially when cut. I had to sew deeper into the tie to get it to close even a little. </p>

<p>The result was less than satisfactory:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/YhK5f.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/YhK5fm.jpg" alt="Bad tie splice"></a></p>

<p><sup><em>Click image to enlarge</em></sup></p>

<p>What can I do to make sewing this back together by hand a cleaner venture?</p>

<sewing><clothing>
How can I splice the tail of my tie and have it not look terrible?
Matt
# How can I splice the tail of my tie and have it not look terrible?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-17)

I was making some clip on ties for work for me to wear on casual Fridays. I could not wear regular ties with t-shirts as that would just look odd. I picked up some second hand ties to make into clip on ties.

Fairly easy thing to do but the issue came when I had to shorten the tail of the tie. I needed to but about 5-8 inches off and sewing them back together was difficult. The fibers used in the ties are very frail especially when cut. I had to sew deeper into the tie to get it to close even a little.

The result was less than satisfactory:

[![Bad tie splice](https://i.sstatic.net/YhK5fm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/YhK5f.jpg)

*Click image to enlarge*

What can I do to make sewing this back together by hand a cleaner venture?

**Tags:** sewing, clothing


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-18. Score: 8

To prevent (actually: to minimise) fraying, you can use **zig zag scissors** known as pinking shears.

[![zig zag scissors](https://i.sstatic.net/CADkU.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/CADkU.jpg)

And you can use **non-woven interfacing**. Make sure you choose a type that has a pre-glued side. You can iron it to fabric. It prevents fraying and deforming.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: +1. Zig-zag scissors look odd, but they really work.  

---

### Answer by username_0 on 2016-05-17. Score: 8

You need to stiffen the fibres so that the thread does not tear though them while you are sewing.

# Clear nail polish

I ended up buying a small container and applied in all along the edges of the tie tail. About a 1/4 inch all around.

After letting it dry it gave something for the thread to hold onto. Made it loads easier to get cleaner results.

[![Better done tie splice](https://i.sstatic.net/yJziK.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/yJziK.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Downside appears to be that it completely changes the pattern of your tie though :  
> **username_0**: @NickUdell Very true. That depends on the complexity of the design and the willingness to let that go for something that is not seen very often. That, in at least my case, I can accept it. I tried to line some of them up but a stitch every 10 is too tight or something and then at the end the pattern is misaligned  
> **username_0**: @creationedge I didn't need to remove it. It's hidden inside the tail now  

---

