Sewn Garter Ties

**triforme** · 4th November 10, 03:13 PM

It occurred to me today that one could make garter ties by sewing fabric in a tube and inverting it. One would then either sew the ends shut, or fringe them.

By this method, one could make tartan garter ties (out of a lightweight fabric) or any solid. If you cut the fabric on the bias, they might be more comfortable, since they'd have some give in them.

My question: Has anyone done this? How did it work out for you?

**Ryan Ross** · 4th November 10, 03:22 PM

I've never done it, but I've certainly seen it done. It seems to work well, or at least that's the report I've heard from the folks who have made and worn them. The ones I've seen have looked pretty good, too.

**Mikilt** · 4th November 10, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by triforme

It occurred to me today that one could make garter ties by sewing fabric in a tube and inverting it. One would then either sew the ends shut, or fringe them.

This post is great timing because I was just contemplating making my own garters/flashes.

I just wish I could picture what you are describing!

**triforme** · 4th November 10, 05:18 PM

Well, Mikilt,
I've decided to try making them. I'm just off to start now, but when they're done, I'll post a build-along in the DIY forum proper.
triforme

**xman** · 4th November 10, 05:24 PM

I'd probably fringe a bit shorter than those here.

**BobsYourUncle** · 4th November 10, 05:25 PM

This was the subject of a thread on Xmarks back in 2008. A fellow posted a tutuorial about how to KNIT garter ties, and his method looks VERY successful. However, when I used the search engine and found the thread, the photo link from Photobucket has gone bad. I had previously downloaded the photos and text of the thread back when it all worked. The thread gave a step by step instruction in knitting your own garter ties. I will try to reproduce it to the best of my poor ability.

"I’ve been curious about the wrap around hose flashes for awhile, and I tried to make my own as posted ..here.., but I really didn’t like the results that much. The tape that I used wasn’t really that flexible, and the comfort was lacking.

So I again looked at the wrap around flashes that were offered at different locations, but couldn’t bring myself to pay the $35 plus dollars for what is essentially just a strip of cloth. So I tried knitting my own. My results were also unusable. While I was taught knitting as therapy while in the hospital recovering from wounds, I never got to be that good at it. My stitches were un-even, and the tension was not regular. So I kept on looking.

The other day, while wondering around in a hobby shop, I saw the below. Perfect I thought! I bought one, took it home and in less than a half hour, after spending less than $7 (for the gadget and two things of yarn) I have some knitted wrap around flashes. Here's the green ones."

His garter ties look just great. Here is the website where you can get the Wonder Knitter: http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/...Wonder_Knitter. It looks like you can also get it at Amazon and other online retailers. Just search "Wonder Knitter". I bought one a long time ago, and just have not had the chance to get to make them. I am looking forward to it, however.

Here is a pic of the Wonder Knitter:

Here are pics of the garters he made with it:

Hope that helps. Post some step by step photos of what you make!

**Ryan Ross** · 4th November 10, 05:40 PM

...or you can be a glutton for punishment and knit them by hand....like I do...

**BobsYourUncle** · 4th November 10, 05:57 PM

Here's what the 2008 Original Poster's looked like:

He gave a step by step for doing the fringe ends after you had used the Wonder Knitter to knit the tube of yarn for the body, as follows:

"Get s stiff card the width of the fringe to be. In my case I used 3 inches. Yarn, knitted garter, needle, scissors, button hook."

**BobsYourUncle** · 4th November 10, 06:04 PM

Take the long end of the yarn and place needle through the end of the garter, pull tight and tie off to the other end of the needle yarn.

Go through the garter several times, where the fringe meets the end of the knitted garter, then thread the end through the loops several times and pull tight. The last loose end is with all the other fringes.

Hope that helps. I am now inspired to get the Wonder Knitter out of the package and give it a try.

**piperdbh** · 4th November 10, 06:29 PM

I never knew it took all of that to explain how to knit an I-cord.

I made a pair of garters like the OP mentioned, but I haven't tried them out yet. I bought a 6" wide by 45" long piece of light cotton fabric at the Wal-Mart's and cut it down the length to make two 3X45" strips. I then folded each strip in half longways, and sewed a seam down one side. I then turned the newly-formed tubes inside out, and have yet to decide how to finish the ends. I'm thinking I'll just tie a knot at each end and fringe below the knot.