Other uses for parts of ties:  The labels from a collection of ties used to make a garment can be used as stabilizers for sewing on buttons instead of using interfacing.  You could also use them as a stable foundation for buttonholes.  Buttons can be covered with scraps from the ties.   Theme ties have a large format design on at least one end that can become a focus that is either cut to size or added to for a larger design area.