All about Ties

Oh, goody, I thought, when we visited Sander Tie Company yesterday with a group of friends, I’ll be able to purchase another bag of tie off-cuts.  But it was not to be, there was nothing available.  Seems the word is out, and everyone now knows all about this source of fabric.  Never mind – since I live relatively local, I can phone ahead to see if the box of off-cuts has been replenished next time I feel like a visit. This handsome green elephant stands on the reception counter to show what can be done with  some of those interesting off-cuts of tie fabrics.

  Elephant made from tie fabrics

Our group was given a tour through the factory, and we were shown the different stages of tie construction.  The fabric is cut on the bias, which would make it very difficult for the home sewer.  However, each stage is stitched on a different machine, and bit by bit, the tie takes shape. 

   One of the set of pattern pieces used

The ties are made up of several parts, with each machine doing a specific part of the process, from sewing on the “tip”, the lining, stitching bar tacks, and adding the label.  I loved watching one particular machine as the ties were threaded onto rods, then whoosh, away they went inside the machine where they were turned right side out, just like magic.

Turning the ties right side out

I was interested to see that metal bars are inserted into the ties before they get put in the large presser.  Rather like the bars that quilters use to construct and press bias stems for appliqué.

Rolls of fabric ready and waiting

Although most of the tie making processes are done by machine, bow ties are finished off by hand.  We watched as one of the ladies was trying to thread a needle, but I’m afraid the presence of our group rather put her off.  With her needle finally threaded and raring to go, she then delicately stitched the small sleeve around a length of folded fabric to make the bow.

A selection of striped ties

Those keen on sport will be interested to know that Sander’s holds the licence to produce the All Black ties both at retail and team level, and for the Black Caps teams.  They also won the licence  to produce ties for the 2005 Lions Tour of New Zealand. Our guys were delighted when they were presented with three of these 2005 Lions Tour ties each to take home.

Look at those happy faces

Extra long ties are made for very tall men, so their tie does not end up halfway down their shirt front.  Bow ties and cravats for the discerning man are available, plus hankies and scarves, and there is a lovely range of New Zealand inspired souvenir ties.  The company can also make a “one off” tie to match a ball gown or wedding dress, at a most reasonable price.  Well worth checking out if you have a special occasion coming up.  Although I didn’t manage to purchase any of that lovely fabric, it was an interesting morning finding out “all about ties”.  

I couldn’t have chosen better myself

Today is a special day for me, a long awaited day, finally the day that I retire from the workforce. Like many of my age group, I started work at 15. Unheard of these days, isn’t it? With just a very short time indeed off while I produced two children, I was soon back at work. It was the only way for us to buy a house, so there was no choice really. Fifty years of work – doesn’t time fly! We had a celebration morning tea which everyone contributed to with delicious home baking.

The Team Leader said a few nice words about me, and I was presented with a signed card and…………a voucher to spend at my local quilt shop, Thimbles and Threads. I couldn’t have chosen a better gift!

Great gift for a quilter

My friend Gloria gave me a lovely bunch of pink roses, that was so nice of her. Then I received more flowers – this time from Kim the Agency Consultant. I am one of many temps in the workplace and Kim liaises with the Team Leaders and looks after us all. Two beautiful bunches of flowers to take home, plus my voucher – lucky me! I had earlier decided that a 5 hour day was quite enough on my last day at work, so at lunchtime I packed up the last of my belongings, gathered up my beautiful flowers, said my goodbyes, returned my swipe cards to the office, and out the door for the last time. Just think of all the extra stitching time I will have now. Here’s hoping I can make a dent in that pile of UFOs. And we will have time to enjoy extra long trips away in the caravan too.

Gloria, Jenny and Joy, and my beautiful flowers

The colours of Autumn

Look what I found nestled amongst the fallen leaves just by my place of work – several of these brightly coloured toadstools. They look so vibrant with their gaudy orange colouring and their white spots. They don’t last long though, the rain damages their tender flesh and makes them go all mushy. Some people like nothing better than giving them a good kick just to see them disintegrate into pieces.

I wonder if the fairies come calling at night and sit on top of these lovely coloured toadstools? Wouldn’t that be wonderful to see?

Ollie Octopus on Duty

Remember the Swine Flu scare last year? I was well protected at work with my little piggy friends doing “swine flu protection duty”. Arranged on my shelf I have a blue floral pin cushion pig, and a 25th Anniversary gift from Joy, a pair of little ceramic pigs decorated with hearts. My theory is that the piggies will keep the swine flu germs at bay. Joining them is a new kid on the block, Ollie Octopus, all the way from UK.

Ollie Octopus

My friend Janet from Cromer, England sent me Ollie a while ago with the following message. “Ollie Octopus – to join your pigs on the anti swine flu shelf”. It’s certainly working, I haven’t contacted swine flu yet. Mind you, having a flu injection probably helps too!

Hard at work keeping the flu bugs away

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Quilter at work

Ho, ho, ho, it’s back to work I go. Actually, it’s been a couple of weeks already. It certainly feels like I’m working down in the coal mine (or should that be the salt mine?) sometimes. Bosses seem to focus on numbers these days, productivity, statistics, input and output, and all sorts of accountancy type terms. But never mind, it is good to catch up with my colleagues again. And then I have these little friends looking over me while I toil away on the computer.

My friends at work

Why pigs?, you might ask. Don’t really know, I’ve always just loved them. The real live ones one especially. I can remember going to A & I Shows (Agriculture and Pastoral) in years gone by and I just loved to see all those pigs and piglets in the stalls. I used to drag my children around these shows in the pushchair so that they could share my passion for pigs. But they never did, I’m sad to say. I wasn’t even born in the Year of the Pig, think it was the Year of the Rabbit, or maybe the Rooster? Does anyone know what Chinese Year it is, for those born way back in 1945? My blue floral pig is a pincushion who was gathering dust at home, so I thought she would be better employed looking after me at work. And the little pair on the right, Mr and Mrs Pig decorated with hearts, were a gift from a workmate when she discovered Robin and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary a couple of years ago. In the dish are polished stones I purchased from the Natural History Museum in London when we were there in 2008. Pink and blue, my favourite colours, and they are nice and soothing to touch.

Quilts and the Beatles

Then I have two postcards pinned up on the screen around my desk. There is the one from Ohio, showing a quilt shop with beautiful quilts hanging up out in the fresh air. Then there is my Beatles postcard, sent from our friends travelling the canals of Britain in their very own NB Gypsy Rover. They stopped off at Liverpool a while back and visited the famous Cavern Club. Last but not least I have my very own mouse pad, featuring even more quilts, a gift from another pen friend. I may be at work, but my mind still turns to quilting from time to time. And pigs. And the Beatles.

Quilter’s mouse pad