5.14.2009

tee shirt dress.


I've been trying, and failing, to recycle our old tee-shirts into something usable. Well, I saw a rather expensive shirt at Ann Taylor which was basically a jersey knit with raw edges and a ruffle. The lightbulb went on and I went to work.

Pretty much, I cut off the hem of the neck, the sleeves, and the bottom of the tee shirt. Then I turn it inside out and take the sleeves in a bit so the shirt fits around the chest. Then sew around the edge of the neck and sleeves with elastic thread in my bobbin. For the cool ruffle, I cut a strip of the fabric from the scraps and gather it up with a basting stitch and sew it onto the front of the tee shirt. Walla.

Kacie's skirt is just the bottom of Dani's old shirt. I cut it off at the waist and put an elastic at the top.

My quest for quick and easy summer clothes is almost complete. Now I just need to figure out shorts. And big clothes; for big people.


So much to do. So much LOST to think about. I mean, really.
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14 comments:

  1. NatalieMay 14, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    OH, so cute!
    Was Lost on last night? I figured last week was the finale (I think), so I didn't bother to look. I hope I didn't miss anything!

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  2. ShEiLaMay 14, 2009 at 12:37 PM

    recycled t's.

    aren't you spiffy!
    always trying to do what designers do... create.

    cally when i grow up i am gonna be like you... i need to get me a sewing machine... maybe for Christmas... watching you makes me want to do some constructive things with the hours i waste away.

    ToOdLeS.

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  3. DanielleMay 14, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    That is so cute, I love it! I've been busy recycling old clothes for summer clothes too, it's so much fun! Here's a link (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=170402.0) for a tutorial that I found the other day for making a button shirt into a dress. Really cute!

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  4. highdeekayMay 14, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    You are always so artsy and creative. I love it! I just did a bunch of shorts for "big girl Eden" (we can't call her "baby" any more) so now I need to do some shirt dresses and skirts! See some examples of my recycled shorts here: http://sugarandspice-thedomesticdish.blogspot.com/2009/05/saving-money-and-heidi-show-and-tell.html

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  5. LoriMay 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    I need clarification on taking in the sleeves, I've got a whole stinkin' bag full of old t-shirts and I'm loving this as a play-dress option for Lydia. Emma might even think it's cool with Scott's old tees. Thanks Ann...I mean Cally.

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  6. LoriMay 14, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    P.S. I posted a link to a great easy toddler shorts/pant tutorial here--

    http://supercruzes.blogspot.com/2008/10/kimono-pjs.html

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  7. callyMay 14, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    Natalie...really? Did you really not watch that?! A TWO HOUR FINALE! And my heart is still racing. Oh my goodness.

    I love that show.

    My mind...blowing...exploding...with manipulative entertainment.
    just...can't...take it...

    And awesome. Thanks for all the links you guys. I may sleep tonight.

    No I won't. Because Jacob knew Jack would do the bomb thing and brought Locke back to life because it was his faith that sent Jack back and the bomb is going to allow Jacob to triumph over Anti-Jacob who is really the smoke, along with Christian. And Aaron is going to save them all. He's the shadow under the statue. Because Claire is part of the Anti-Jacob I think, without knowing it, and she told Kate not to bring him back no matter what. It's all about choices, and creating our own destinies. I think.

    Oh man.

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  8. jeniferMay 14, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    sweet cally...
    SLOWLY!!!!!
    um. don't you want to do a tutorial or something... i'm visual. :) and, i still have NO IDEA how you made a cute dress/shirts out of an old t-shirt/bottom of a t-shirt.
    LOVE your newest creations by the way... SO CUTE... where are you getting your funky fabrics? cute, cute!

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  9. wendyMay 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    BRILLIANT!!!!!!! If I were really wealthy I'd just hire you to make all these cool things for my grandkids -------

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  10. ShannonMay 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    Yes, I would like to see how the taking in on the sleeves part goes. Did you take any pics of the process, by chance? What a clever and cute idea! Would it look as cute on a mom as it does on your little model? Doubt it.

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  11. AMBERMay 15, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    You never fail to amaze me my friend!!

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  12. NatalieMay 15, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    Just watched it! Aaaahghghghg! Seriously, so good. I bawled REALLY hard about Juliet. I always liked her. And at the end, I just sat there for a minute and shouted, "How can anyone NOT be watching this show?!"

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  13. DonnaMay 15, 2009 at 6:44 PM

    Whats with the new Locke?!?! Is he that guy in the beginning of the show that was like I need a loop hole? I want to get on the Richard Alpert aging plan. He looks good!

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  14. EmmaMay 22, 2009 at 11:51 PM

    Way to go the are great!

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