Dear Sun Spots: I have discovered a craft that I would enjoy making that requires neckties. My family has only so many they no longer want. I was wondering if anyone who reads this column has old ties they no longer wear, or want, if I could have them. If you do have ties to donate, you can please mail them to K. Grant, 55 Charles Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 or drop them off at Grant’s Bakery, 525 Sabattus Street, Lewiston. There will be a drop-off box in the store. Your help is really appreciated. – Katie Grant, Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you might want to try the following pattern for making angels from ties:

Materials: Ring of wire, doll hair, gold doily, tie length 16 inches from the tip of the tie (the wide end), large wood bead 1½ inches in diameter, ribbon (similar to the color of the tie) for bow, ¼ inch dowel 5 inches long (cut at hardware store), glue. Tools: Glue gun, scissors, ruler, permanent black marker. Method: 1. Cut the tie to a 16-inch length from the tip of the widest part of the tie up. 2. Place the piece of dowel half an inch in from the cut end of the tie, in the middle of the tie. Squeeze hot glue in the hole of the wood bead head. Press the piece of tie-covered dowel into the glue in the hole and hold it in place briefly until secure. 3. Take a small amount of doll hair and try it out on the head to see if it is enough to cover the head to your tastes. When you are satisfied with the look of the hair on the head (add more if necessary), it is time to glue on the hair. Squeeze squiggly lines of glue over the area of the bead you covered with hair. Press the hair back to the head quickly but carefully so you don’t burn your fingers on the hot glue. 4. Cut a length of metallic ribbon, wrap it around the neck of the doll (lifting the hair so it doesn’t get caught in the ribbon) and tie a bow in the front of the angel. 5. Fold the gold doily in half exactly and lightly glue the edges together so it looks like one piece. Center the doily behind the tie with the flat edge just below the base of the doll head. When you are satisfied with the look, hot glue the doily to the back of the tie. 6. Lay the tie angel flat on your work surface. Draw the face on your angel with the black permanent marker. 7. Turn the tie angel face down on your work surface. Place the wire ring in the middle of the back of the doll head. Holding it in place tightly, turn the doll over to see the positioning of the ring from the front. You want the ring to resemble a halo but also to serve the purpose of hanging the angel somewhere in your home. When you are satisfied with the positioning of the ring, squeeze a generous amount of hot glue on the portion of the ring that will touch the hair of the angel and press it back into the predetermined spot. Hold it in place briefly until secure. Leave your angel lying face down until dry before hanging.

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you so very much for your very informative column. You provide us with an excellent source of research.

I have three pieces of garments, sport coats, which have holes in the fabric approximately 1/8 of an inch in diameter. I am looking for someone who does invisible reweaving. Can you please help me? – Lorraine Fournier, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots checked with some locally, none of whom offered this. Hopefully there are readers or sewers out there who may be willing to assist you.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left hand corner of your computer screen.

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