Sunday, April 25, 2010

diy: fabric ruffle tee

One of my favorite places to shop is Down East Basics. Recently they were having a sale on their under-tees so I picked up two for 6 dollars. Then with some simple sewing I added a pretty ruffle detail. I just love projects like this!! Lately I've made a few different fabric embellished tees. This is one of my favorites.
You should know, that I am far from a seamstress so if I can sew anyone can.
I actually was quite surprised that I didn't sew the shirt together.
Step 1: Started out by taking one of the shirts and cutting long strips of fabric down the front center of the shirt. About 1/2" to 3/4" of an inch thick. I used 10 strips.
Step 2: I laid out the strips where I wanted them and pinned them in places. Since once you start sewing they don't stay in that exact place it was still nice to have a guideline. Knit fabric is probably the trickiest to sew because it's stretchy but since the ruffles are random and the design is forgiving. Just try not to stretch the shirt while you're sewing.
Step 3: Start sewing down each strip. I have my tension set to 2.5 and my stitch width set to 2.5 with a straight stitch. Then I randomly fold over the fabric while I'm sewing to make a ruffle. Avoid thinking too much about how often to ruffle and just go for it.
Step 4: After I did about 5 strips I tried on the shirt and pinned where it needed more strips. Also, if a strip is too short you can always add another one to it.
Step 5: Turn shirt inside out and tie knots after pulling the top thread to the back to the bobbin thread. Cut off the extra thread and voila!!
Happy diy Day!

76 comments:

Kat said...

wow! what a GREAT idea. you are so innovative :)

Patti S. said...

i think i just paid $68 for a similar look! Ha! I adore yours-you talented chica! Love it!

Candace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Candace said...

gorgeous!!! You may appreciate this site if you have never seen it, this woman is amazing much like you ;) http://www.madebylex.com/

Jill said...

Umm, brilliant!

Nancy Wyatt said...

Looks oh so FABULOUS! This is great, with the extra $ you save you can get many other items! *hugs from conroe, tx

Michelle Burry said...

Absolutely lovely! TFS!

Diana Martin said...

WOW....this is amazing!!! xo

Tracey Holdyk said...

WOW is right. This is just so clever and thanks so much for sharing. I'm am off to find some cheap tees and give it a go.

Marit said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT!!

Anonymous said...

wow love it...want the same.... i'll buy shirts !!

Rachel M said...

That's gorgeous, thanks for sharing your tutorial. :)

april y said...

WOW!! It looks like an expensive and unique top now!! Love it!

8bis said...

great project, it seems to be easy when reading you !
i'm gonna try

swell.life said...

this is amazing! i can't wait to try it out!

Sarah said...

This is way, way cool! I can't wait to try it- TFS! :)

Melissa said...

So very cool! Gotta try this!

Unknown said...

This is amazing! I love it! :-)

Capescrapper said...

Boy oh boy, is that fantastic! Love everything about it, but probably the best part is you came up with it yourself!! AWESOME!

Evelyn audet said...

wow i love that!!!

Winter said...

Oh My Gosh! I LOVE this SO much! I made a T with the embellished flowers that you showed on your blog and I had SO many compliments on it and now I have to try this one! Thanks so much for sharing!

Sara Ancich said...

jcrew just might have to close their doors. so cute.

Sarah Mullanix said...

Soooo cute and pretty!! My 13 year old could definitely run with this idea and make a million different versions for herself! TFS

Meg said...

oh my how i love this! you just gave me some much needed inspiration to make some! i have been meaning to for some time...but have not! but this week it is my project for sure! you are so creative and lovely i love it!!! hugs

Ashlynn {mamabear} said...

Thanks for the idea, super cute!

Anonymous said...

Oh my WORD !!!! I just LOVE this top ! simply and funky. I don't sew YET...think I'm going to buy a sewing machine !!!!!
Do you know of other sites that show GREAT DIY clothing projects ? If I'm buying a sewing machine, I should make it worth it right !?!?!? LOL

Sandi aka BIG fan of your blog and style

Kristen Manson said...

that is Fantastic!

Jamie said...

Looove this!!! It looks gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for the DIY!!!

Renee Zwirek said...

You ROCK! Awesome tee! Can you make me one...I'm a Small!? tee-hee. Thanks for the inspiration...I can do it! I'm gonna try it. :) Again, you're the best! Have a GREAT one!

Davinie Fiero said...

You are a smart cookie. DEB has some nice things, and you turned it very Anthropologie. A good $6 spent there!

Chelsey Kurtz said...

ohhh I LOVE this!! I am so going to have to try this myself! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

That is the cutest dang shirt I have seen in a long long time!!! I think you should make and sell them.... I know I would buy one.

Laurie said...

Love the ruffled look, what a cute idea. Unfortunately, my computer blocked out the other three photos, but I got the idea. Great bargain for an adorable look. Thanks for sharing as usual!

Jessica Woodford said...

So pretty! I'm making some pillows with the "ruffles".

Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer B. said...

I L.O.V.E. this!!!! Great job :)

The Savvy Scrapbooker said...

Could you do s post on how you get such great photos. It's like they're all edited in photoshop and maybe tweaked with a vintage filter... or the saturation is adjusted??? I'd love some tips.

Cortney said...

Uhhh..what..why..HOW do you come up with this stuff?! It turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! You should work for Downeast Basics as a designer--as if you don't already have enough on your plate! :)
I go to you for my scrapbooking needs and NOW my clothing needs. Next I am going to NEED you to find me a husband. Thanks.

Brielle Photography and Design said...

Love the fun idea Liz! You always inspire me to create new things! :) Because of you I have started my own fabric accessory line. Go here to check it out! http://briellephotographyanddesign.blogspot.com/ Thanks again for the inspiration!!

Danielle Flanders said...

beautiful! love what you did with it!

Unknown said...

i love ur style. so HipMom, love this

Emily Leiphart said...

Wow, pretty and cute! Love the idea of making your own. Thanks for sharing!

Jill said...

So darn pretty!!! I love it! Gotta try it. Thanks for the inspiration...you rock!

sarah said...

LOVE the shirt! :)

Efrat K said...

Lizzy, this is SO pretty and clever! Thanks a lot :).

Kelly Goree Photography said...

super cute, liz! will i get to see this in person this weekend? I might have to make you bring your sewing machine ;)

Pearl said...

That is way cute!
I love the peach color too!

Pearl said...

That is way cute!
I love the peach color too!

Elisa said...

love the idea!! you are such an amazing designer :)
it´s beautiful your shirt now, you can sell it now :)

Melanie said...

Love this! I'm going to give this a try!

Unknown said...

Love it! Would love to see the other shirts you've been working on as well!

Esther said...

Loving this shirt!

pakosta said...

gorgeous! I saw some cute embellished t-shirts at Target, and I thought maybe you had designed them! they looked so like YOU! amazing!
tara

Danielle said...

What a fantastic idea!!!! I love, love, love it :)

Denise Jonas aka Aunt2Jaymz said...

That looks GREAT!!!!!!!

Elizabeth Terry said...

Brilliant!! and inspiring!!

Alycia Grayce (Crowley Party) said...

you are brilliant :)

Michelle said...

Hi Lizzy, I couldn't find where to email you so I'll post my question here. I went to my local LSS and was looking at your new line. My question is how would you use it for boy pages. Please don't tell me that flowers can be used on boy pages cuz my 9 year old son would roll his eyes and be like yeah right mom..flowers puhleeze! LOL I would love to support your line but its a little girly for my two boys. Are you planning on making other lines that are gender neutral or boyish? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Love this idea...thanks so much for the tutorial.

Gladys said...

Omg! Loving this! I really dont know how to sew!!! :( Wish I know so that I can do the same! Love your stuff and please keep it it coming! you are so talented!!

Wendy said...

Totally adorable!

Jane said...

That is soooo GORGEOUS!!! But let me tell you...if I tried that..I'd end up with a lovely rag to clean my floors with! ;)

Jane said...

Ok...I just checked out that store and I LOVE what I see.......AND....they deliver to CROATIA!!!!!!!!! WOW!!

Scrappy Girl said...

That is adorable...unfortunately I am allergic to sewing...lol

Kim said...

So cute!!

Bonnie said...

That is such a fantastic idea and what a great way to spruce up a plain T! Can't wait to give it a try, thanks so much for sharing your talent and how-to on this one Lizzy!

jen geigley said...

DUDE, brilliant! I'm soooooo not a seamstress either and I've been trying to figure out a way to do this. Your instructions make me feel more confident. THX!

Cristal Fab said...

Why oh why do I follow the links? Almost $100 later at the Downeast Basics! 2 skirts and a cute summer bag. You should get a commission, Elizabeth!

Lori said...

so cute - i'm going to try it out! thanks for sharing!

Debby Schuh said...

Just darling... cuter than Anthro!!

Aja Jenise said...

You are a goddess!!

And a music guru!!

Thank you for your inspiration...

CalleLillyCafe said...

I love this shirt! can I just purchase one from you!?? =) Time is not on my side...

sweetlifeinthevalley said...

Love this idea. I need to make one for myself and my daughter too.

Kendra said...

Hi Lizzy, I love your blog and your scrapbooking ideas from your book are amazing! I'm a new scrapbooker and want to try out some of the sewing techniques... but I don't own a sewing machine. Does anyone have any suggestions for an inexpensive/easy to use sewing machine that will do simple projects like the shirt project and stitching on scrapbooking pages? I don't need one with too many bells and whistles. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I just want to thank you. I tried this today with some clearance Target tanks. 2.25 each. It came out gorgeous!
E

Unknown said...

I just made this and I love it!!! My kids love it and think I am a genius! LOL Thanks so much for your inspiration! I will probably post it on my blog shortly.

aidam said...

I really wish you guys would sell some “funny t-shirts” vector templates on your tshirt-factory store.

awesome tees