Friday, October 9, 2009

T-Shirt Makeover and More


I found these t-shirts at Gap when I found the socks I used for the little girls leg warmer tutorial. They were reduced to $4.99 and ON TOP OF THAT, they were having a special sale for an additional 40% off on sale items. I only paid $ 2.99 each.





I didn't buy them just because they were cheap. I had a project I wanted to try for a while. I was inspired by a tutorial on this blog and decided to give it a try.

You will need:

2 t-shirts

Matching Thread (I used DMC floss)

1. Cut circles out of one t-shirt. I made one template out of cereal box. The largest circle is 2 3/4". Then cut two smaller circles to put on top of it. I made 15 sets to cover the whole front neck line.


2. I folded the layered circle in 1/4 and sewed.


3. Then opened it, then sewed in different direction to make a crinkled look.


4. Sew them onto the other t-shirt by hand. Then it is ready to wear!


I saw a pretty t-shirt in the JCrew catalog and have been keeping an eye on them. This is a great way to make a look alike t-shirt inexpensively. I have to tell you though, after I washed it, those flowers layed flat and didn't look the same as in the picture, so, I sewed some of the petals of each flower together so it would hold the open flower look better.

I still have some left over t-shirt. It was really a good amount of fabrics, so I went through all my fabrics and found a match. It was the Amy Butler fabric I used in the headband tutorial. Then, I made Rachel a new tunic dress! I made it a little bigger (well... like 2 sizes bigger) so she can wear it for a while. I had so much fun with those projects.



Six dollars for these two finished items, I am very happy about that. How was my tutorial week? It was a lot of work to do three tutorials in one week but I also had a lot of fun! Especially when I got comments from you all letting me know how much fun you had or that you made the project for your loved ones. It is very rewarding.

Thank you all for enjoying this week with me, I will see you on Monday!

57 comments:

  1. I loved your tutorial week! I haven't made anything yet but I think I'm going to try this soon. This tutorial was my favorite! Thanks!

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    1. useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!..cute tees

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  2. Lovely!! :) I bet I could do the cute little rosettes...but not the dress. That's way out of my skill set. ;)

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  3. Thanks for all the ideas and tutorials on tshirts this week--I always end up with plain colored t-shirts and am always going to "fancy" them up--but do I take the time "NO"--but you have inspired me --so we will see!!!! Hugs, Di

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  4. I love this. Love, love love this. The ruffly t-shirts never get old!! You are a super-blogger, I love your stuff!

    P.S. Thank you for the compliment on my blog!!

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  5. Sachiko,
    I am really LOVING the refashion trend and your fun tutorials!

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  6. I haven't been by for a while, but so glad I stopped in. These items turned out completely amazing. Thanks so much for sharing the technique.
    M.L.

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  7. Adorable! I absolutely love it. Next time I see a good deal on a t-shirt I must try it.

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  8. Loved both tutorials!! Thank you. I will be watching for t-shirt sales in a whole new light.

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  9. LOVE IT!! I am definitely going to try this sometime this week. I just became a follwer, I love your blog, so many inspirational ideas. Thank you for sharing your talent.

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  10. LOVE IT! I am definitely going to try this project sometime this week. I just became a follower and I am so glad I did. Thank you for sharing your talent and being an ispiration.

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  11. Haven't been on your blog for awhile...HOLY COW...such beautiful creations!!! Your talent amazes me! It was great seeing you the other day! Love and miss ya!

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  12. I'm going to have to try my hand at one of these t-shirts one day. It's so pretty. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. I just found your blog through ucreate and I am totally blown away! I want to try all your tutorials -- your instructions are so clear I feel like I can try them, even though I'm a pretty novice sewer. Thanks!

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  14. so genius! these are fantastic, it looks like you bought them in an expensive boutique. LOVE it!

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  15. That shirt looks awesome! I love it!

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  16. Hi there! I'm so glad I found your blog too! What fun ideas you have. I love what you did to the brown shirt. I'm like you....always looking for a discount tee to do something with. Old Navy is a favorite place to look too, especially when then have size XXL t-shirts for like $2. crazy.
    thanks for stopping by MADE. nice to meeet you!
    - dana

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  17. Super cute! May I ask how these wash up? I've been curious about how the unfinished edges on fabric rosettes handle washing. Thanks for the lovely idea!

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  18. This is so lovely!! I featured it on my sidebar today!

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  19. You rock! I am getting into repurposing tees right now, and yours are great.

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  20. I really love this but I have a question, how do you wash it afterward? Do you iron all of the flowers? Do you hang it dry and hope for the best? Whenever I make handmade flowers for a t-shirt I always mess it up with the washing.

    Help!

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  21. Rachel,

    To be safe, I put it in a net and washed it and then after that I hang dried it. (I don't put my clothes in the dryer because the colors fade so easily). While it's hand drying I spread out the flowers a little bit by hand but I don't have to iron it.

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  22. I love this! Thank you for sharing your tutorial! I am definitely going to have to give it a try.

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  23. Truly beautiful blogspot! Thank you for sharing! You are an inspiration.

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  24. I hope you don't mind but I used a couple of your photos to talk about your tutorial on our blog. I did this same thing to a sweater. I love your blog and all your fabulous ideas and tutorials!!

    http://allen1reliefsociety.blogspot.com/2010/02/repurpose-sweaters-add-ruffles-to.html

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  25. wow, thanks for sharing this! i will have to try and make this for myself!

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  26. Hi! My name is Monica. I stumbled across your site by from another blog member that used your directions for the blouse. I'm so impressed and Im going to try it tonight. Thank you!

    I am giving away the Sookie Stackhouse E Book Series ~ E Books 1-9. Yes they are FREE! Check out my blogg to find out how. If you have like the HBO Series, you've got to read Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse Series E Books 1-9. Yes you read right they are 100%Free. Thanks again.

    Monica Ockenfels
    Troy and Monica's Retail World

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  27. I love your creations! I made one too.
    If you have time, you can take a look here: http://justbettertogether.blogspot.com/2010/07/ruffled-flowers.html

    Justine =D

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  28. wonderfullll ....ı'm ın turkiye
    ı follow youu honey..

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  29. Really useful blog.Good work. Thanks a lot!



    Funny shirts

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  30. I just used your tutorial to make a similar shirt. I got my shirts on sale at Dollar General for $1.20 each!!! Thanks for the idea!

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  31. love it. It's awesome! I've share it in my blog. Thank you so much for sharing

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  32. These are great tees! I love T-Shirts. The first one on the list seems like it works only with a specific look but very creative anyway.I love all of them, I laughed quite a bit reading them.

    design t shirts

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  33. I love this. Love, love love this. The ruffly t-shirts never get old!! You are a super-blogger, I love your stuff!

    Cool Shirts

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  34. This is so pretty! Maybe I can still find something on clearance to work with.

    I am in love with your necklace! Would you mind sharing where it came from?
    Thanks!!

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  35. Very interesting your tutorial. I used it to make a "tiara". I posted some photos on my blog http://ateliecurico.blogspot.com/2012/02/tiaras-de-tecido.html
    Tanks
    Carla

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  36. I think this is the best makeover yet! I got the exact same shirt, I only wish I'd purchased two!

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  37. I really love your blog! If I had enough time, I would love to try all your tutorials. Great ideas! Thanks!

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  38. Oh this is genius! I can see endless possibilities with my old tshirts! Thanks for sharing. -K

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  39. I am loving this t-shirt makeover! Thank you so much! And I am loving the necklace in the picture. Where can I get one? Email me at tk57761@gmail.com

    Thanks!!

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  40. Knuppe Family-

    Thank you for your comment! The necklace is made by my sister who lives in Japan, and it is not for sale. Sorry!

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  41. I noticed that the edges of your ruffles and flowers aren't hemmed. do they unravel when washed? I love your shirts, but am just concerned about how they will hold up.

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  42. I love the T-shirt project it is very cute and cheap. Awesome! I am going to try it today, on a t-shirt and tank with contrast flowers. Thanks, great idea!

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  43. Amazing T-shirt. Love it. And the little dress is so cute.

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  44. I used your tutorial today to embellish a t-shirt I resized from a men's large t-shirt. I had enough trimmings for the embellishment around the neckline. I'm petite, so I made my circles smaller. I'm doing all of this by hand since I don't have any of my usual tools with me. It took quite awhile, but it is looking lovely. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

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  45. I used your tutorial today to embellish a t-shirt I resized from a men's large t-shirt. I had enough trimmings for the embellishment around the neckline. I'm petite, so I made my circles smaller. I'm doing all of this by hand since I don't have any of my usual tools with me. It took quite awhile, but it is looking lovely. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

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  46. Sachiko, I am wondering if any kind of reinforcement is needed on the inside since we are sewing multiple layers onto 1 layer of t-shirt fabric. Have you, or has anyone, had any problem with the "flowers" pulling too much? I've seen shirts where a tiny piece of interfacing is sewn on the inside to reinforce a button on the other side, and wondering if this would be advisable. Comments?

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  47. Rose Garden-

    I have never used any reinforcement with my t-shirt refashions in the past. However, if the opening of the neckline is very big, big flowers could pull the opening down. It depends on the refashion design, it is a good idea to have some kind of reinforcement.

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  48. I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work. embroidery houston texas

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  51. So glad I found your site, can't wait to try this shirt. I do not visit sites that are full of advertisements. Will also visit your Etsy store! Love you stuff . . .

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