Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thrift Store Style: Recycled T-Shirts
Yesterday I had the joy of joys of happening upon a multi-family garage sale. They handed me a large paper bag and said I could shove as many items of clothing into it for only $5. Well, heck! I couldn't pass that up.
As I browsed the tables piled with clothes, I found a few t-shirts that were, well, not quite my size. But I knew just want to do with them: revamp, reuse, recycle! Here are some photos of how I made over two shirts. Totally easy, super fast, and quite fun.
Items needed:
T-shirts (helps if they are slightly bigger than you'd normally wear)
Scissors
Sewing machine (optional, but I like to have it on hand.)
Classic Rock (okay, optional. But fun!)
Basic Instructions:
1) Try the shirt on and see if you want to take it in on the sides, make cap sleeves, a tank top, etc.
2) Pinch the sides if you are going to take it in and estimate how much you'll need to go in. NOTE: Don't over do it unless you want a shirt that will fit like spandex. Not usually a good look...
3) Take that puppy off and start cutting (or sewing.) Easy does it while you're still getting used to the project. Cut a bit, try it on, sew a bit, try it on. You get it.
This tee was very boxy. Though you can opt to have the new seam showing by sewing it right-side-out, I turned this one inside-out to sew a more fitted inseam.
If the shirt fits at the underarms well, use the ready-made seam as a guide and don't sew deeper. This one fit great in the underarms, but was like a cardboard box in the bodice. Shazzam! Oooh, I got a new shirt on...
It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
This Batgirl shirt had a bleach stain on one shoulder (between sleeve seam and neck) and needed the sleeves revamped.
I cut an asymmetric boat neck to get rid of the regular collar and cut out the bleach stain. Chopped the sleeves to make caps, and check out what I did with the sliced off pieces...
I took a strip from the area I cut out of the neck, punctured two holes in the bottom left of the shirt, inserted the fabric strip and made a bow. The material is slightly gathered, creating a bit of a loosely fitted bodice, and I have a girlified retro tee!
POW! WHIZ! BANG!
Wristlet made from doubling one of the cut sleeves. Wick away that dew on a perspiring forehead with chilled style. Yeah, man.
That's how I roll.
It ended up being about 12 items for only $5, including a new pair of shoes, several scarves and some brand name dress shirts and sweaters. These two t-shirts? Estimating these revamped, thrifted styles put me out about $0.40 each.
Shop. Cut. Sew. Wear.
Enjoy!
Want some more craft ideas? Check out these awesome tutorials for homemade headbands and no-sew jersey knit scarves!
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BATGIRL BATGIRL
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