It's hard to start a big project when it's hot. All of my plans melted during the 100F heatwave we've been "enjoying" all week. I'll spare you my dear reader another whiny lament on why I hate this weather.
Here's my project from yesterday, it took less than an hour and made an unwearable t-shirt into a comfortable one.
While I enjoy a well-fitted shirt, the collar on this one was too tight. Time to cut off the trim and widen it. There's something really satisfying about cutting up a shirt and transforming it into something more to my liking. Sometimes the end result is a disaster, which is why old t-shirts work well.
Once the trim was removed, the shirt looked like something Madonna could've worn in the 80's in "Desperately Seeking Susan", so it needed an age appropriate finish. I used what I had, a piece of black lace. Nice black lace is hard to find, because it often looks cheap, like the crappy polyester you find in the dollar stores. Yuck. This one however, was different:
Once the trim was removed, the shirt looked like something Madonna could've worn in the 80's in "Desperately Seeking Susan", so it needed an age appropriate finish. I used what I had, a piece of black lace. Nice black lace is hard to find, because it often looks cheap, like the crappy polyester you find in the dollar stores. Yuck. This one however, was different:
I cut the edge off and attached it with a slip stitch, without a plan, very improvised:
And this is the result:
Nothing big really, but remember it's hot outside. It took me 45 minutes and I'll definitely wear this. Although I'm not much for "wearing lace and doilies", this feels like a nice upgrade.
Here's another application for using a doily with a white t-shirt, from the book "Artful Mending" blogged here:
Here's another application for using a doily with a white t-shirt, from the book "Artful Mending" blogged here:
Although I probably wouldn't wear this myself, it does look great. Love the top stitching with the contrasting thread and raw seam. The book "Artful Mending" features more ideas on how to use doilies to re-fashion clothing, but is mainly about artful mending and re-using. A true gem.
It's one of my favorite Japanese sewing books:
Title: "Patch Notes" (yesasia.com) A Japanese friend told me it really means "Artful Mending".
Autor: Katsuya Mayumi
ISBN 978-4-579-11127-5
Autor: Katsuya Mayumi
ISBN 978-4-579-11127-5
Your t-shirt redo really turned out classy looking!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteDu hast aus einem einfachen Shirt ein Designerteil gemacht - ich bin begeistert!
ReplyDeleteGreets,
Liese
*die jetzt ganz schnell mal nach dem angesprochenen Buch forschen muss*
Love, love love!
ReplyDeleteYear Old Birthday Party Ideas
Zuerst dachte ich, dass du das gestickt hast (so wie die Holunderblütenstickerei auf der Armee-Tasche), aber nun war es noch einfacher. Es wäre doch aber einen Idee, so einen Ausschnitt auch mit gesticktem Spitzeneffekt zu machen. Es sieht super aus.
ReplyDeleterealy great..!!!
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteLovely shirt... black is my favourite - you've made it look rather classy... Thanks for the tip about the book - will add to my list.
ReplyDeleteYou have fashioned such a flattering neckline! I think when it's a bit free-form in approach it helps the 'lace and doilies' look not take itself so seriously. It looks so nice!
ReplyDeleteTrès joli ! Very nice
ReplyDeleteI adore all your hand sewing tips and projects and this one is no exception.
ReplyDeletei've been tempted to buy that book on a number of occasions. i think tomorrow i might look at it for the hundredth time and...who knows. :)
ReplyDeleteyou did beautiful work.
i looked at it and left it, again. for now.
ReplyDeletebut i did buy the room shoes book that you reviewed. and maybe 4 other books too. ;)
That's really pretty!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, very elegant. Sorry to read you won't continue blogging, I rather like to come here and read about your creative explorations. There's something very exploratory and whimsical about your approach to writing and crafting.
ReplyDelete