Embellished Tee

(Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)

I made my daughter the cutest little coordinating skirt and short set from a half-yard bundle of Amy Butler’s Soul Blossom fabric that I’ve had in my stash since last year.  I love the fabric but wasn’t sure what to do with it since it was only half-yard cuts.  I finally settled on a pair of shorts and a skirt.  I even had enough scraps left over to embellish one of her blank t-shirts to match.

If you would like to make a similarly embellished tee, here is how to make one:

Materials needed:

• T-shirt
• 2 strips of fabric +/- 3 inches by 23 inches (you’ll measure to find out how much you need.)
• measuring tape
• coordinating thread

Instructions:

Layout your tee and measure 1.25 inches down and around the neckline.  Multiply that measurement by 1.5.  This number will be “Measurement A”.  Multiply the neckline measurement by 1.75 and this will be “Measurement B”.

How you finish the edge of your ruffle will determine the width of the ruffle strip.  If you have a serger or will leave the edge raw, cut one strip 2.5 inches wide by measurement A.  Cut a second strip 1.25 inches wide by measurement B.

If you will need to hem the sides of your fabric strip, cut one strip 3.5 inches wide by measurement A and cut a second strip 2.25 by measurement B.  Fold the raw edges over 1/4 inch, press.  Fold over another 1/4 inch, press, sew and stitch along the edge to create a narrow hem.

Change the stitch length on your machine to its longest setting and sew a straight stitch all the way down the middle of your fabric strips.  Hold the top thread while sliding the fabric down so it ruffles up like this:

Pin the widest ruffle along the neckline and sew right over the gathering stitch to attach the ruffle strip to the shirt.  Then pin the second ruffle on top of the first and sew it on the same way.

You can be finished at this point, or you could add some fabric flowers or a bow for a little something extra…

If you make a shirt be sure to come back and show it off on my Facebook page or Flickr group.  The links can be found on my sidebar.

I have had a few people ask about the shorts pattern I used, it can be found here.  I made a size 5, and they were a great fit.  I will definitely be using this pattern to make a few more in some solid knit fabrics.

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