Embellished Tee
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(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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This is an awesome complement to the skirt that I made using your tutorial. It was so quick and cute! What a great idea. Thank you!
This is adorable!! I love it!!
Cute!!! Perfect for spring time.. thanks so much for sharing this with us at Sharing Saturday.
Adorable! And it makes me want to learn to sew even more! Thanks so much for linking to Handmade Tuesdays! I love the bright pink and green colors!
That is really adorable! Great job.
Danielle
Hi! I'm popping in from Design Dazzle. Thanks for sharing such a cute way to spruce up ordinary shirts. 🙂
Thank you for sharing. I love the ruffles and it is a great project for my grand-daughters. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Very cute! Love ruffles!
makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com
This is really sweet. I would love to make something like this for my littlest niece.
Oh my do I wish I could sew like you! THis is so pretty and AMY BUTLER! Awesome!
Thanks for coming by to link up – please come back this Thursday as well!
Stacey of Embracing Change
This is really cute. Just did a ruffle skirt on my blog. Looks like you actually know what you are doing.
I love it! Great fabric choices
You should join me for Handmade 52 at htttp://raisingoranges.blogspot.com
Love it, I might make one for myself, great way to summerize a tee shirt. Love the fabrics you choose. Really very pretty and thanks so much for showing us how. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best!
I LOVE THIS! …and surely I could do it! 🙂
This is adorable – I am so impressed!
Fun,fun,fun! I might make myself one.
How cute is the outfit, just gorgeous.
This is super cute! Come share your ideas at my link party going on now!!! http://www.dwellonjoy.com. Pinned 🙂
I LOVE ruffles and the fabric that you used is soooo pretty. I would love it of you would share this at Fabulous Friday.
http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com/2012/03/fabulous-friday-17.html
LOVE THIS! Is there a pattern for the shorts I would love to make my little girl an outfit like this.
This is really cute!
Super cute!! Love the T and matching shorts!
Stopping by from Sharing Saturday
Adorable!! love your blog! visiting for the 1st time. I host a linky every Tuesday and it's still open if you'd like to link 🙂
Really cute! Thanks for sharing!
~Jenn
housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com
Super cute!
That is so cute! I'm sure any young girl would be happy to have such a pretty outfit. 🙂
That is adorable!!
So, so cute! 🙂
Great idea, so cute!!!! Every little girl will love this!!
Cute! Love the bright colors. Thanks for sharing.
WOW! I love this! I found your blog via Whipperberry's link party. I'm your newest follower. Megan
This is adorable!! It looks so cute on her! I featured you again today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2012/03/friday-im-in-love-with-pop-of-color.html
xoxo
Jenn @ Social Salutations
This is super cute and fun!! I'm jumping over from Petals to Picots!
Thanks for sharing!
Kristy
krisyscupofjo.blogspot.com
The shirt along with the skirt and shorts are sooo soo darling!! I think I will have to make some for my little sisters:) Do you have a pattern for the shorts? Thanks!!
Gorgeous! My girl would love this! Thanks for sharing.
Really cute!!
Shannon@SewSweetCottage
Love the fabric! I love to grab inexpensive shirts and fix them up to coordinate with skirts, etc. I will have to try this design out with some scraps soon.
Super cute! I'd love it if you linked up at Crafty Cousins!
http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-i-wore-sunday-week-7.html
~Natalie
Holla! We're your newest followers! 🙂
Oh this is so cute! I need to do this. Pinning now!
I LOVE the ruffle t shirt!!! Soooo stinkin' cute!! I would love for you to link up at my party going on now at Jillify It! I hope to see you there!!
Be sure to enter to win a Hobby Lobby gift card while you're there! I'm a new follower, too!
Jill
http://www.jillifyit.com
this is so pretty
would love it if you shared these on my link party, Serenity Saturday
http://serenityyou.blogspot.com/search/label/Serenity%20Saturday
Natasha xxx
Love love love this! I want to try it for my teen, wonder if she'd go along with it 🙂 Thanks for sharing the beauty and the tutorial. Hugs~ Mary
SO ADORABLE!! I love it!
What a creative and talented Mom you are!