Add Ruffles to a Shirt

 Hello Readers. I wanted to make a fun shirt and used a ruffle to jazz up a simple t-shirt. This was a pretty easy sewing project. A beginner could do this easily. Let me show you how I did it. 

  

Before and after.  

I used the ruffle from this blue and white dress. I had to shorten the dress anyway and saved the ruffle for this project. You can also use a ruffle that is pre-made for you. (Similar here.) I used approximately a yard and a half of ruffle on each side of my shirt. I needed a bit less than that, but that is a good estimate. You will need to adjust the measurement based on the shirt you are using for this project. 

 

I cut the sides of my shirt open. I needed the sides open so I could attach the ruffle to the shirt on each side with my sewing machine or serger. 

 

I cut the sleeves and shoulder seams off too. I made sure my ruffle pieces were a bit longer than my t-shirt so I could sew the ruffles and shirt together and have enough extra length in the ruffle to hem it to match the length of the shirt. An extra inch to make a hem will do nicely.

 

I used my serger to sew the ruffles on the sides of the shirt. You can also used a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine. A serger and a zigzag stitch will give and stretch a little bit so they are both great for knits like this t-shirt. I sewed my ruffle to my shirt, with the right sides facing each other, from the bottom of the shirt front, up the shirt, over the shoulder, and down the back of the shirt. I did this on both sides. 

 

It looked kind of like this. I liked the shirt in general but this is the time to match the length of the ruffles and the shirt. You might have a long tunic or a more cropped length. You can fold the edge of the ruffle under twice and stitch it down. 

  

I turned the edge of my ruffle under and made a small hem at the bottom. I used my basic sewing machine and a straight stitch to sew this. 

 

When the ruffle and the shirt are the same length, it will be even all the way along the bottom when you lay it out like this. The ruffle will hang down a bit when you wear it and have some movement when you move. It's really lovely.

 

This shirt needs sides and sleeves. I spread out the shirt and made sure all the edges were even, then I pinned the ruffle in the middle, where I wanted the new side seam. I sewed a straight seam on the outside of the shirt, on the ruffle, connecting the front side of the ruffle and the back side of the ruffle. It was hard to see in the pictures, so I put the tools on top of the seam. This seam ends about 5-6 inches from the top, that makes the "sleeve".

 

I tucked the shirt in here but it can be worn out too. I love how it turned out. Adding the ruffle adds to the size of the shirt and makes it more roomy too. Who doesn't love more room? Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taco Bell T-shirts

 Hello Readers. I was given a bunch of t-shirts from Taco Bell. Do I work at Taco Bell? No. A friend owned a shop near a Taco Bell and the manager gave them these t-shirts. Why? I have no idea. The friend gave me the shirts because they know I like to cut things up and make them into new things. So.. what should I make from these shirts??

I love tacos and Taco Bell, I just didn't want to wear the advertising. 

 

A friend gave me all these Taco Bell shirts but what could I make from them? Let's make a dress. 

 

These shirts had writing all over them. It was on the front and...

 

And the back. 

 

I didn't want to be a walking Taco Bell billboard so I cut the graphics away and just used the parts that were plain black. 

 

I sewed the pieces of t-shirt together to make the skirt tiers of my dress. 
 

I clipped the tiers together. 

  

I also had this cropped shirt I made last summer. I liked it but I thought it would make a fun dress. I used it as the bodice of my dress. 

 

I clipped the skirt to the top and sewed them all together. 

My new dress was finished and it is so fun. It is still basic black which makes it easy to wear. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a T-shirt Dress

 Hello Readers. It is time for Dressember 2024. Dressember is an organization that works to fight human trafficking and forced labor in the U.S. and around the world. It is a $236 billion dollar industry according to the International Labor Organization. I try to raise awareness every December by wearing and refashioning dresses all month. Visit their website to learn more.

 Sometimes I can't believe how many old t-shirts I have, the thrift store has, the world has. They can seem plain, boring even seem useless but I wanted to find a way to use some of them. I decided to make a dress since it is Dressember. 

I had a small pile of t-shirts. Some were prettier than others but I think I can use all of them. 

I cut this shirt in half. It fit well and it would make a great top of my new dress. 

 

I cut the shirts where ever I could to remove the writing on the shirts. I wanted plain parts of the shirts. Sometimes the part I could use was narrow. 

If the plain part was wide I cut it into 2 bands. I was going to connect the 2 bands and make 1 larger band. 

I wanted the smallest band at the top and the largest band at the bottom. These will make tiers in the skirt of my dress. They need to get larger as they get to the bottom of my dress.

I put the top shirt and the first band together with the right sides facing each other. 

I connected one tier after the other. 

I liked the different colors together and there were enough to make the dress long enough. 

This dress was casual and fun. I liked how it turned out. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This dress is an instant favorite. I have worn this a couple times already.

 

 

Alter Your T-shirt

 Hello Readers. If there is one thing I love to do, it is cutting up and refashioning clothes. I love to alter my t-shirts because you can do it with no sewing at all. It is quick and easy. They fit better and they feel better when I do a little cutting. It's so easy. You just need a t-shirt and a pair of sharp scissors.

Before and after. 

This is just a basic t-shirt. There is not anything wrong with it but I like to change my t-shirts up a little when I can. It's fun and easy and I always like the results. Let's get started.

I like to remove the neckband. I cut all the way around the neck close to the neckband. This opens up the shirt a little. The neck opening will be a bit larger and feel more comfortable.

I cut off the armbands next. I like to do this because it makes a looser sleeve and gives my arms more room around the bicep. This can make a t-shirt fit more comfortable if the sleeve is a little tight. 

These sleeves fit well but I kept cutting. I cut sleeve again. I cut along the top of the sleeve. I tried to match the location and direction of the shoulder seam. I cut the sleeve only. I did not cut the shoulder seam or armhole seam. Leaving those seams intact will help the shirt keep its shape. 

 

I tied the corners of my new sleeve cut in a little knot. It adds some extra interest to the sleeve and looks a little more feminine. The opening adds a little ventilation too. 

 

I cut the bottom of the shirt next. I wanted to remove the hem of the shirt. I cut all the way around the shirt. This only makes the shirt about 1/2 inch shorter. 

 

I cut a slit in the center of the front of the shirt. It made my slit approximately 5 inches long. My cutting mat has measuring marks on it. You can also use a ruler to get the length of cut you want. That made 2 little corners just like the sleeves.

 

I wanted to tie a knot at the front of the shirt too. It will work well visually with the sleeves. It will also add some shape to the waistline. 

 

Thanks for reading along. I hope you have fun cutting up one of your t-shirts. 

***Year End Update***- I love cutting up my t-shirts. I will never get tired of it.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Simplify & Create

 Hello Readers. I love striped shirts. This t-shirt was a hand-me-down and it fit great but that tie in front was throwing me off. It seemed too big when I tied it and too long if I let it hang down. Something didn't seem right. The tie is so big, it really calls attention to my waist/stomach. 

Before and after.

I couldn't tuck this shirt in because of these extra large tie pieces. I like to tuck my shirts in. Sometimes you have to cut things off in sewing.(And in life.) These tie pieces were no good for me.

From the inside the shirt looked like this. There was an opening at the hem where the ties were. I could have just cut the ties off but then this opening would be like a weird window for my belly button. My belly button is not for public viewing. After 3 large babies my belly button has retired and will never be seen again. 

I decided to remove the tie pieces and sew the shirt together. I just wanted a basic t-shirt shape. 

I used my serger to connect the front opening and close it up. 

What about these 2 pieces? They can't go to waste. 

I sewed them together. It is just the right size to wrap around my head.

I had a new headband to go with my new t-shirt! Thanks or reading along now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update***- These classic stripes are going to get worn to threads from me wearing it so much.

Crop a T-Shirt

 Hello Readers. I wanted to pair this sporty t-shirt with this ruffled skirt. I liked the contrast. The skirt was a little dressy and the shirt was more sporty. The shirt was a bit big and long though.

Before and after.

This shirt was a men's M. It wasn't doing much for me. It would be better if it was shorter so the skirt wasn't covered up. I wanted to crop it, that is cut it shorter. I don't mean a 1/2 shirt that showed my stomach and my mom tummy. I just wanted a shorter length shirt. Not all cropped shirts need to be revealing if that's not your style. It's your shirt. You pick the length.

I used a mirror to make sure I was cutting the shirt at the length I wanted. I was wearing the skirt so I could be sure how they would work together.I marked the shirt with chalk so that I could cut it the right length.

I put the shirt on my cutting table and made sure the shirt was spread out and smooth. Any wrinkles would mess up my cut.

I used my rotary cutter but scissors would work fine too. I cut straight across the shirt.

I pulled the newly cut hem to make the edge roll up a little. It looks more finished that way.  You can cut the sleeves shorter if you want and you can cut the neckband off too. It's your shirt, you can decide.

I liked my new sporty shirt. The skirt is so fun and I didn't want it hidden. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This outfit was fun and casual. I love it.