Accumulated more ties than you know what to do with? Want to make up for all those lame Christmas and Father's Day gifts you and your siblings gave dear old dad and granddad?  Consider giving those closet-ridden neckties a second life by repurposing them into a new quilt. Or better yet, have a professional do it.

Designed and constructed by Quilts by Kate, necktie quilts like "Dad's Necktie Quilt" (pictured above) are made out of ties hand-picked by the customer and mailed to Kate. In turn, she will turn cut, pattern and sew those old ties into a totally unique quilt. If you only have some ties, but like the idea, check your local thrift store where old ties often congregate en masse. Kate also has necktie pillows and table runners available that require fewer ties and are quite affordable.

The quilts I saw ranged from $400-$650, depending on the size and pattern. While that's not cheap, when you consider the painstaking labor required to sew measure, cut and sew together, it actually seems like quite a deal.

If neckties are not your thing but still want to find a better life for some of those old favorites that spend more time in the closet than they do on your body, do not lament. T-shirt quilts are Kate's specialty.

If you're handy with a sewing machine and want to take a stab yourself, Kate has posted a photographic tutorial of the necktie quilt-making process on her blog. If you do, we'd love to hear about your experience.

Hat tip: Off the Cuff