Now that the weather is getting warmer I've realized I don't have a lot of short sleeve tees for the season. So I'm trying to add some here and there without spending a lot of money. Today I'm going to show you how I embellished a $5 tee to make this Sun and Sky Tee. (I have to name it you know and the colors led me to that title. Striped bow tee just didn't sound as fun :)
Here's the before. It was cute, but I wanted to spice it up a bit.
I cut 1.5 inch strips from an old t-shirt (which was knot so it won't fray) and sewed them around the collar, pleated the fabric as I went. I tried to sew down the middle of the strip and I used my hand to feel underneath, making sure I was centering the strips over the collar line.
It's not possible to use just one strip, but it's easy to hide where a new strip starts with the pleating. I wanted the bow to be off to the side, so I left a space for it. (I also tapered the strip at the end so it wouldn't stick out behind the bow at all.)
To make the bow I folded a strip like this.
Then I cut a thinner strip and wrapped it around the middle tightly.
I handstitched a few stitches on the back side, making sure to catch all the layers.
I set the bow where I wanted it so I could gauge where to sew the next strip.
Once all the strips were sewn down I added the bow, sewing right under the loop of the bow right where my finger is in the picture. You can do it with your machine, but just be careful not to sew the top layer. Do the same to the other loop.
That's all. It was a quick project.
And just to keep it real, I didn't get a shower yesterday so I cropped my photos and unzipped my sleeper just enough to slip on this shirt and take a picture. My husband came home to me in my jammies.....just like I looked when he left that morning, but the house was clean. Yay!
Thanks for stopping by.
Linking to Tatertots & Jello
39 comments:
Awesome. I don't know why my brain doesn't think, just embellish it? lol.
Jessica
It's amazing how a couple strips of fabric can really spice up a shirt! Very cute!
That is cute! And I got my house cleaned yesterday as well - top to bottom. In my jammies.
That is so adorable! I am jelous of those who can sew!! I have been taking old shirts and making them into brooches and hair clips.
Cute! I'd attempt that, but it took me 2 weeks to bust out the machine to hem my curtains. I'm a chicken when it comes to sewing!
I like it! I'm very interested to see it after it gets washed though....maybe a follow up :)
Super cute! I especially love the colors! It looks all bright and sunny! Where did you buy the striped shirt?
I love a good embellishment! That was very cute.
http://mommacdesigns.blogspot.com/
So fun...once again, you have me motivated to create!
The shirt looks great! Thanks for the tute! (And I'm all about hanging out in jammies - or underwear, gasp! - all day. I rarely get dressed. Especially in the summer, underwear only is a great way to keep the AC bills down.
that's just awesome! way to go keepin it real. :) lol
meg
Very cute!! :) Much better than a plain tee!
Taylor - The tee is from Wal-mart. It was $5.
awesome!!!
Very, very cute! I'd love to hear how it washes, too.
super cute and super summery!
Totally cute... Guess I may be stopping at walmart today... =)
So cute!! I wish to God I could sew but I don't see that happening anytime soon. Could you just sell these to non-sewer people like me? :)
C.
Hi! this is beautiful! thanks for the inspiration ... and the explanations too! ^-^
That is REALLY cute, thanks for the inspiration!
Love it and I love that you are keeping it real :)
I just did a ruffle collar on an old shirt, but now I want to do PLEATS! :)
I love this! You have so many easy ideas for making regular shirts look better!
Thanks so much for all your inspirational ideas.
love the shirt! & a clean house is better than getting dressed anyway.
This looks great!
This looks great!
I love this! How simple it is, to the colors you chose, to the fact that you shared that you hadn't showered all day! Ha...you're awesome.
That is adorable. And we all have days where we could use a little cropping :).
Very cute!!!
Um...I am loving this shirt. I have a blue and cream striped shirt much like this one that I could totally redo and wear more often. Maybe I should find some yellow knit... :)
Wow! So cute and easy! This is going on my list of quick n easy sewing projects! :)
Awesome and cute!!!
This is so cute!!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sun-sky-tee-with-pleated-ruffle-neckline/2011/05/11/
--Anne
So inspirational to know we don't have to spend a fortune to be cute and stylish! Love this top:)
I love those colors together. Seriously cute shirt.
How adorable ~ it's a totally different shirt now!! Love the name. :) The colors are perfect for summer.
http:/simple-serendipities.blogspot.com
Gorgeous! I love the yellow and blue together. Stopping by from TT&J.
I just love this! Great colors and the bow, so cute!
So summery!
I definitely want to try this...just wish I knew how to sew!
Post a Comment