Ruffle me up!......tshirt refashion Spring Top challenge #3

I hope you are digging out all those unused tshirts in the back of your closet and refashioning them into wearable tops! As promised, here is our 3rd entry and tutorial! (take a peek at the 1st and 2nd)

Ruffle me up! 

Ruffles are everywhere from tops to shoes, handbags and accessories! And they are super easy to add to any top especially when made from tshirt knit because you don't have to worry about the edges! 

If you refashion a tshirt add your photo to our Flickr Group! 


Download and print the entire tutorial HERE

Materials:

2 tshirts - about 2 or 3 times bigger than you normally wear

color coordinating thread

scissors

elastic thread

sewing machine

straight pins

measuring tape

Step 1: Shir the bottom of the tee sewing about 6 lines 1/4" apart. We used our sewing foot as a guide between the stitching lines. 

Step 2: Cut off the collar. OPTIONAL: Cut a small V dip in the neckline if desired for a different neck shape.  Set aside.

Step 3: Lay the 2nd tshirt flat. Cut off the bottom hemline. Then cut 2 strips that are 3.5" wide. 

Step 4: Create 1 long strip by cutting "open" at one of the seams or simply cut the loop in half.

Step 5: Cut 1 strip 2.5" wide. Cut open as instructed above.

Step 6: Gather/Ruffle all 3 strips using a basting stitch in y our machine and gently pulling the bottom thread to gather the fabric together. (Stitch 1/4 - 1/2" in from one edge of the fabric strip)

Step 7: Pin one end of the 3.5" ruffled striped at the shoulder seam and the other end about 5-6" from the top of the shirring lines at the bottom of the tshirt lining it up in the middle.

Step 8: Adjust the gathers so the strip fits between the two pinned areas. Pin in place leaving an opening near the middle of the neckline in the front. Repeat with the other 3.5" wide ruffled strip on the opposite side of the tshirt.

Step 9: Sew the ruffles to the tshirt by stitching over the basting line. 

Step 10: Fill in the open area in the top middle of the tshirt using the 2.5" wide ruffled strip. Place one end of this strip about 1 inch over the empty area. Pin along the neckline and cut the ruffled strip to be about 1 inch over the other side. Pin in place. 

Step 11: Place a second layer of ruffles under this layer making it smaller in width and centering it under the first. (see 2 photos below) Stitch both layers of ruffles onto the tshirt. 

OPTIONAL: to create a ruffle at the neckline and shoulder area that isn't as "full", cut and or taper the ruffled fabric towards the shoulder seam until you have reached the desired look.

Step 12: Cut off the hem on each sleeve curving the edge as pictured below.

Step 13: Shir 3 lines from the cut edge to the shoulder seam. Sew 2 shirring lines on the underpart of the sleeve too.

Add rosettes, beads, etc if desired! 

I love how this top can be casual but dressy if needed too! Be comfortable this Spring and Summer by wearing a "tshirt" but look a bit more pulled together and stylish! 

linking up with.....Keeping it simple, Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, A soft place to land, New Nostalgia, Tip Junkie, Silly Little Sparrow, Todays Creative Blog, Craft Edition