When my grandparents passed on, it was very hard for me to look through their effects, which brought on many fond memories as well as a gushing of emotion. Eventually it wasn’t their furnishings I was drawn to but their personal effects, such as my grandmother’s handbag collection (she was very hip) and my grandfather’s neckties.

I believe that a person is often remembered by the clothes they wore to family functions such as birthdays, christening, weddings, even just around the house. Clothing and accessories such as scarves, handbags, hats and ties stand out in a person’s mind and can even be found in family photo albums is the person wore them a lot. This is why, when it came to “Deda”, his necktie collection held special meaning to me.

Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what to do with some of the things a person inherits. Usually they either keep them or toss them. What about thinking outside the box for a moment and actually making something useful from them? Take neckwear. They can be turned into everyday useful items such memory quilts and pillows or even worn by the next generation.

Memory Quilts

Quilts can be big enough to cover a bed or small enough to hang on a wall. Take your cue from the number of ties you have at hand. There are many how-to books as well as wonderful patterns to choose from, but if you are not so inclined or don’t have the time, consider a family member who is. It can even become a joint or group project, during which you can talk about the good times you shared with the dearly departed. If all else fails, you can even hire a professional to create a masterpiece for you.

Decorative Memory Pillows

I like the idea of creating pillows because you can make several, even if you have a few ties. Depending on the size of the pillow, you need as few as 4 or 6 ties. If you plan on a square or rectangular shape, try to keep an even number available. Because of their shape, sew one right side up to another upside in order to keep the lines straight. You can choose to break apart the tie, remove the lining and work with the material, but that can prove tricky with silk. I recommend keeping the ties intact. They are easier to work with and actually give a pillow a quilted look! You can make one for yourself and give away others. They make lovely gifts for family.

Wear your Inheritance

By chance a high school teacher friend of mine told me the story of a student who inherited his grandfather’s neckties and decided to start wearing them to school and other social events. It was his way of keeping the memory of someone dear to him alive, and the ties were pretty cool, too! The young man's collection included men's skinny ties from the 50’s and 60’s as well as vintage designer ties from the 70s.

So, when you are not sure what to do, try to think of creative ways to enjoy things you inherit from loved ones. Little trinkets can be glued to boxes as decorations or incorporated into handmade jewelry. Men’s ties can be worn or repurposed into beautiful quilts and pillows, which are both functional and a wonderful way to keep the memories alive.