Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tutorial~Ruffle shirt~ Why Not Vertical


I found these t-shirts at Target the other day, they were $5 each. When I tried them on, they fit perfectly and I loved the color! I just wanted to add some personal touches to my spring wardrobe. I was thinking about all the other options, then one of my previous posts crossed my mind. I love the shirt and I wear it ALL THE TIME! It is perfect underneath a cardigan. I wanted to do something different this time though... well, why not a vertical ruffle shirt!


{How To}

1. Cut one of the t-shirts along the seam line. To have longer strips, I used the back of the shirt for the ruffles.


2. cut 3 - 2 1/2" strips and 3 - 1 3/4" strips. My shirt was xs, if you are working with a larger shirt, you can cut the strips wider or make more rows.


3. Lay 1 3/4" strips on top of the 2 1/2" strips. Make sure that the top strips are in the middle.


4. Cut several inches off of two of the strip sets, these will be your side ruffles. (I cut 6" off, you may want to do more or less.) You will have 2 - 18" long strip sets and 1 - 24" long strip.


5. Using your largest stitch, sew in the middle of the strips. Pull on one of the thread to gather the fabric to make ruffles. Remember, there are other methods to make ruffles, do whatever method you are comfortable with.



6. Fold the t-shirt in half and make a crease in the middle. Pin the longest ruffle set in the middle of the shirt. Sew the ruffle by using a regular stitch.


7. Do the same with the two other ruffle strips. Lay them right next to the middle ruffle. Once you wash the shirt, there will be more space in between the ruffles.


It was little chilly outside, but I enjoyed the shirt. I can't wait for Spring to come!

61 comments :

  1. What a cute idea! Thanks so much for the tutorial. It really dresses up a cozy tshirt!
    ~Danylle

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  2. Love it!!! I want one. This is going to the top of my To-Do List

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  3. so ready for spring too! that is such a cute shirt, spring will want to come just so you can wear it!

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  4. so pretty! i have to give this a try...i have the perfect shirt in need of strategic ruffles to cover a little bleach spot! thanks for another awesome tutorial!
    xo

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  5. Cute, I like the double ruffle! I have done similar things here:
    http://adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/2010/01/blog-swap-yesterday-tuxedo-tee-tutorial.html
    and here:
    http://adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/jcrews-grand-ruffle-tank-knock-off.html

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  6. This really is such a cute idea. I think it was after your last post on ruffles that I started to follow you. Thanks for the new tutorial.

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  7. Très jolie réalisation.
    Je pense que je vais me laisser tenter et faire la même chose sous peu.
    Merci pour ce tutoriel en images et bravo pour on très joli et très intéressant blog.
    Have a nice day ;)

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  8. so lovely & romantic Tshirt, thank you for the tutorial ^.^

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  9. You are very clever,it looks great.
    Karen

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  10. Great job! Love how your shirt turned out. And the lavender is perfect for spring!

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  11. Love how your shirt turned out! I really gotta give this a try... Theresa

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  12. How adoreable is that? I don't know that I would feel as confident cutting up a shirt...even though it wasn't expensive. I really do have to try this sometime. You once again gave agreat directions with great pics. thanks for sharing.

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  13. I ADORE ruffles! I WANT ONE :)
    Following you over from Shabby Chic Cottage!
    I am a follower!
    Please stop by!
    http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com/

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  14. Your are turning ordinary garments into lovely pieces.
    Great, inspiring Tutorials

    Thanks and Hugs,
    Gerry

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  15. That's a great idea! I'll have to try it some day! :)

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  16. This is a great idea. I also have trouble sewing stretchy knit material. But you've inspired me to try again. :)

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  17. Keep up the awesome work and tutorials. You have one of the best and most creative blogs out there. You inspire me daily to be more creative! I am a true "old soul" and your frugality and knack for using the old in new ways gets me every time.

    Thank you for your amazing blog!!!

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  18. I just found your blog from Ucreate, and I LOVE this shirt! I have always been afraid of knits, but I think I am actually going to try my first knit project now! I heard the secret is a stretch/knit needle. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. So cute! I will have to try this soon! Thanks for the tutorial

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  20. SO pretty! I'd love to try this for a new spring shirt! Obsessed with ruffles right now!

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  21. Oh how pretty! The shirt is so lovely and romantic looking! You did a beautiful job!

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  22. I really love this. But I don't see anything about finishing the raw edges that you cut... will this fray in the wash??

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  23. April-
    I have worked with t-shirts from many different stores, like Target, Down East, Walmart, Old Navy... so far none of the clothing has frayed. Before I started doing this a lot, I thought about the same thing, but I saw many clothes at the stores that didn't have then edges finished for the ruffles and stuff, so I thought I would give it a try.

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  24. just saw this at u create! sachiko you have a knack for these shirts!

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  25. i LOVE this idea. i want to try it and i may have to link to you on my blog :) fabulous idea!

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  26. I was just about to cut my fabric, and wanted to double check. You have written, "3. Lay 3/4" strips on top of the 2 1/2" strips. Make sure that the top strips are in the middle." Is it really 0.75 inch strips that are on top of the 2.5 inch strips. From the pic it looks like 1.75 inch strips. Just curious.
    Thanks for sharing your cute ideas!

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  27. Lauren VdH-

    Oh my gosh!! Thank you so much for pointing that out! Yes, I meant to write, "1 3/4"" not "3/4".
    I fixed the mistakes in the post.
    Thank you again for catching that!

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  28. I love these shirts! What a great idea..I am a novice at sewing. When you place the ruffle on the shirt, where do you sew? On the front or the back and do you sew right down the middle of the ruffle? Thanks so much for this tutorial, it's awesome.

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  29. Craftee Wanna Be-

    About your questions... when you place the ruffle, you sew the front. Also, when I made the ruffles for this project, I did big stitches slightly off to the side from the middle. Then, to sew it on to the t-shirt, I sewed it on the middle. Does that make sense? Good luck with your project!

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  30. So pretty! I am going to try that out. Also, the cardigan you wear in the top picture is beautiful! May I ask where you got it from?

    Great blog

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  31. Love the ruffle t-shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Found some cute ribbed tanks at Gap today. Do you think it would work w/ ribbed knit fabric?? Or would it fray???

    Hmmm.

    Thanks for any advice.

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  32. Michell-

    I am so glad that you liked this tutorial. About your question, I think ribbed knit would work, because, I have seen clothes using ribbed knit for this kind of project. I can't say for sure though...

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  33. Great colour and tutorial. Thanks for this:)

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  34. Just did this and love it! Found those same shirts at Target. I would suggest that if you do this that you iron the strips with starch. Mine rolled up so much (so it is with t-shirt material) that I couldn't match them up. The starch will wash out but it helped me SO much in getting the ruffle strips all sewed up! Thanks for the great tutorial, I want to make another one, but I don't think I should wear the same shirt in different colors every day :)

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  35. Thank you for the inspiration and the tutorial. I just finished my shirt. It's so cute.

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  36. I used this idea and made a shirt for my daughter. Love it!

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  37. beautiful! I made this and with a larger chest it looks scary on me!

    I think I'll have to make "more" rows to not draw so much attention.

    Love the idea.

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  38. Than k you for the fabulous project. It turned out great. I'm off to try some others!

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  39. Thank you for this awesome tutorial! This was a great confidence builder for a beginner like me. What a great way to be stylish and still save $$!

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  40. This might sound crazy, but would it be possible to make this shirt without a sewing machine? I don't own one and don't have money to buy one anytime soon. I thought maybe I could employ my mother's help because she has sewn everything by hand her entire life lol. Any thoughts?

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  41. Just finished doing my own shirt... talk about quick! 20mins later an i have a cheap fix to a plain shirt! Love it!

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  42. Fabulous! Such a beautiful result! I'm definitely trying this one!! Thanks! :)

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  43. Heloo! I´m from Brazil, You blog is wonderful!
    Josiane http://coisarando.blogspot.com

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  44. Great decor! I liked very much, I love ruffles.

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  45. Your ruffle shit tutorials are incredible and the shirts are so cute! You have inspired me to try a similar project of my own. The only problem is when I go to sew the ruffles on the largest setting in order to gather them, the T-shirt material bunches and becomes impossible to sew. Any ideas? Thanks for your great ideas!

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  46. Ashley-

    Hmmm... I don't know why your t-shirt material does that. Perhaps, you might wanna try sewing it slowly and holding the ends tight as you go? I am sorry I am not much help. I hope it works out!

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  47. Very nice design. thanks for sharing this blog!


    Funny Tees Shirts

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  48. I love your refashioned Ts. So much that I made one today using an old T and blue/white plaid fabric. Thank you for sharing your tutorials!! This was my post for today's 365 blog. You rock girl.

    Felis Creatibus on Blogspot

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  49. Do you not need to hem the edges? Will they fray?

    Jessica

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  50. What a great idea! Love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  51. What a great idea! Love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  52. I just made one! LOVE IT! Wearing it right now and planning on wearing it out tonight. I can't wait to tell people that I made it myself!
    Thanks!

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  53. Keep Posting your projects! I will be following you faithfully. I am excited for the next warehouse downeast sale I will be stocking up!

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  54. Hi!
    This is Alicia Joy from http://ajoyworthhaving.blogspot.com.
    I just wanted to let you know that I've nominated you to receive the Most Inspiring Blogger Award! You can read all about it here:
    http://ajoyworthhaving.blogspot.com/2013/04/very-inspiring-blogger-award.html
    Keep up the good work!

    Alicia Joy

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  55. I love all your ruffle shirt ideas~! It really inspires me and gets me into the creative mood. I've taken the way you've made the ruffles, and even added them to umbrellas to make parasols~

    ~Edith

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  56. Nice so nice.
    thanks for share.
    Happy New Year and happy design...

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