This morning I took a trip down memory lane by looking at some old posts on my blog. I decided to share this one again. Spring is coming – hopefully really soon – and this t-shirt project would be a great way to add some fun to your girls wardrobe. If I were making these shirts again I would use elastic thread in my bobbin when sewing around the necks. These lasted just fine but I was always a bit worried the girls would break the stitching when they pulled them over their heads. The elastic thread in the bobbin allows you some stretch to the seam when finished.
Note: – photos are all from years ago before I had a real camera and before I had found the magic of photo editing :D
It started with this fabric. Middle Sister has been asking me for almost a year to make her a skirt out of this fabric. So now that my skirt like this is faded and rather everyday I finally pulled out my scraps and made, not one but two little skirts out of it. They were a hit. Both of my ‘little’ girls were excited. Since I used orange twill trim to finish the bottom of the skirts I wanted orange shirts. Thought I would pick some up in town sometime. Then I saw this on Lorajean’s blog. Inspiration struck! I wanted some ruffle t’s for my girls. I wanted them to be orange.
Enter a pack of boys t-shirts. Plain white basic t’s. They came in a pack of 6. I needed 3.
I am so in love with RIT dye. Thanks to Kara for the info about all the colors you can order from them. I used ‘tangerine’. You can also go to the RIT website and find their chart for custom colors. The possibilites are almost endless. More than I could ever exhaust!
Voila! Now I had 3 ORANGE t-shirts:) Time to alter – make them girly!
Enter scissors.
Cut off ribbing around neck.
Cut off sleeve hem.
The thread used on these t’s is not cotton – therefore it does not dye. So I removed it.
Wondering why I needed 3 shirts dyed?? The 3rd one got cut into 2 inch strips.
Just like Lorajean I used a gathering stitch on the sleeves, gathered them up, and stitched the gathers in.
And once again, just like Lorajean, I ran a gathering stitch through the center of the long, now-sewn-together strip of orange t’shirt fabric…
…gathered up the strip and pinned it to the front of the t-shirts…
…made some tucks in the neckline at one side in the front…
…and took pictures of the finished shirts for my blog.
I added some tucks at one side in the back (opposite side from the front) just so the shirts weren’t quite so big around the neck. Middle Sister and Little Sister arn’t very big! I also added an extra tuck in Middle Sister’s after she tried it on and about 3 more in Little Sisters.
They wore their outfits this morning because they just couldn’t wait. I did make them change when they were ready to go outside. These are some of the funnest outfits I’ve had for them in awhile. The best part? VERY VERY inexpensive!!!!
And of course, Middle Sister insisted I take a picture of them making silly faces:)
Don’t they look so little and cute? Can’t believe the difference a few years makes.
Have a Happy Saturday :)
Sew a Fine Seam
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So cute Jill! There are so many great ideas floating around out there for remaking plain t-shirts, and this one is adorable. My girls are beyond the cute ruffly stage, but I’m pinning this for future reference should any of them change their mind. :)
Debbie
Thanks Debbie! I’ve actually thought about doing this for myself and never got around to it. sort of an Anthro knock-off!
What a fun idea! I bought a spool of elastic thread, having seen people mention it here and there, but I haven’t actually put it to use yet.
Hi Rachel! The elastic thread in the bobbin is wonderful but can be a little tricky to use. you have to wind it on the bobbin by hand – ACK! And I’ve not used a machine that really likes having elastic thread in the bobbin! LOL! I need to do some searching to see if anyone has any tips on using it. I don’t use it often but when I do it would be nice to know if there are some tricks to make it even better!
That was totally my assumption. I’ve been not so actively looking for tutorials or advice before I fed it into my machine. Let me know if you find anything good.
Love the girls haircuts and those t-shirts!
You have such a creative gift. Makes me want to buy some t-shirts in a rainbow of colors for you to alter.
Thanks Kellie, weren’t they cute! They grow up so fast! You should totally get some t-shirts and RIT dye! It’s such a fun project!
Those are really cute- almost as cute as the girls modeling them- xo Diana
:) Thanks Diana!
Awww, the girlies look so little! How do the years go by so quickly?? Glad they’re healthy and growing, but oh my. Such cutie-patooties!
I know weren’t they so cute and fun?!! Not that they aren’t now but it’s always such and awwwwwwww moment when you look back at old pics!
Oh my goodness. The girls look so cute and so little. I love your altered and dyed tee shirts.
Thanks Amy! They were so little and cute! I can see you and Grace doing this project together!
oh my! I should try this…my girls are 17 months apart, and a lot of people think they are twins :)
Dani you definitely should try this – it’s easy and cheap and so cute and fun!