Wednesday, July 27, 2011

How To Make An Easy AND Versatile Shirt (For Cheap!)

Wow, it's been over a year since my last clothing tutorial.. How did that happen?!

Anyways.. I've seen a few shirts like this floating around the internet.
I saw them, loved them and thought, 
wow.. I could make that!
So, I did.

It was super easy, super versatile!

It cost about 5.00 to make and took under an hour.

I took pictures along the way, but sadly there is not much light in my little apartment.
So, I have some lovely digital illustrations as well.. 
I hope they can help make things clearer! 

You will need:
A sewing machine
A yard or two of fabric
Fabric or lace for the sash
Matching thread
Scissors 

Like I said in my first tutorial, I don't measure, but this part is pretty simple.
I hold the fabric over my torso, until it reaches my sides, 
I add an inch or so, then cut! 
You will need to make two of these. (Front and Back)
It's okay if you make them a little too big, the shirt is supposed to be a bit baggy.
Plus you can always take the shirt in later.
The long skinny, wavy piece above is for the sash.. we'll worry about that later.


Next, you are going to sew up the sides.
Don't go all the way up, 
You need to leave room for the sleeves and arms!

Next, is hemming up the arm holes. 
You are going to want to take the parts where you didn't sew together,
Fold it a little and sew.
Make sure the shirt is inside out while you do this. 
This is what it should look like.

Pretty easy so far right? 
Well, you are almost done! 

Next we are making the part that holds the sleeves.
Fold where the red line is, and sew the folded part onto the shirt. 
Do that with both the front and the back.
The illustrations no longer show the arms being hemmed.. So use your imagination. ;)
It's just a guide to show you where stitches will be.
 (Inside of the shirt)
(Outside of the shirt, plus a Wicket paw)

Next step..
Play with your puppy if you have one. 
He really didn't like not being the center of my attention.

Next step, hem up the bottom of the shirt!

You are almost done! 
Now you add the sash or ribbon.
 You basically just feed the sash  though one hole, 
then through the back, leaving the ribbon out a bit to make a sleeve.
Gather the fabric along the sash, so it has a nice ruffle to it.

And that's it! 
Tie a pretty bow on the side,
or braid the excess fabric, 
you could even attach a cute pin over the bow!

If you don't know how to make a sash, don't fret.. It's easy! 
Cut a long strip of fabric,  again, this is to your liking and size.
sew the sides longways so you have a long tube.
Turn it inside out, so the sewn part is hidden. 
(This part takes the longest.) 
Then hem up the short sides.
(This is the sash being turned inside out)

The best part about this shirt, is that it is versatile! It has interchangeable sleeves.
It looks great on it's own, with a cardigan, a vest, belted.. etc. 
You could even made it a few inches longer and wear it with leggings.

I'm totally going to make more of these!
 The shirt is a tad wrinkly for the pictures.. but only cause I've been wearing it a lot!

Imagine the possibilities!

75 comments:

  1. Adorable!! I like the option of switching out sashes. I'm inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the multiple knotting/braid for the excess sash (in the mustard sash version). It really amps it up!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's lovely! Thanks for sharing Rachel!!! I want a sewing machine!!! x

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a cute idea! Thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this! i recently bought some blue and white seersucker from the fabric store, and now i know exactly what to make with it! well done :) it looks super cute.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm making this as soon as I can get to the fabric store!

    ReplyDelete
  7. http://i.imgur.com/HbUae.jpg <--Here's mine! I made it entirely too small, so it's kind of impossible to get on/off. Either way, when I try again, it'll fit! I broke my sewing machine needle just as i was finishing the sash :) Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kate! It looks good though! My first one was way too big, I had to take it in a few times. It's just a bunch of trial and error. :) Good job though! Show me the other one when you finish it! I would LOVE to see!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this! I can't wait to try it out. I'd like to try to make my own skirts too! You've inspired me to be a little more innovative when it comes to clothing. I was just complaining recently about how I don't have enough feminine clothing (I wear a LOT of T-shirts)--now I can make my own! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just made a dress from t-shirts that I used this technique for the top of the dress. I LOVE it with regular fabric! Definitely will be trying THIS out soon!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very cute. I love the way you accessorize. The red is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  12. i like it with your cardigan and belt. i think it helps to be as adorable as you, though. [:
    i'm going to try and make it i think.

    ReplyDelete
  13. very cute, I like it, I'll try to make one!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's simply gorgeous.
    I'll make one as soon as I get on holiday from work (it's going to be a long, long wait) :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I luvd it. . Its to gud. Thnx :) I luvd it. . Its to gud. Thnx :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. To be honest I don't like to connect my facebook account with my craft blog since most of the people I know don't know about it but feel free to post it on the wall =)

    ReplyDelete
  17. No worries Craft. I don't even use my real name on Facebook. :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. this is so cool. You could totally use a cool scarf as the sash too if its long enough

    ReplyDelete
  19. I want one!!! I recently saw this type shirt somewhere & also thought I'd make one. Now that I see how easy it is...I'm gonna do it!! Thanx!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I wonder...could you make this from a pillow case? Then half of the sewing is done for you *hmmm*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you can:) I JUST made one of these with a pillow case and it turned out great! The only problem is that you can't choose how wide your fabric is. But it works, and now i have a lovely new shirt! :)

      Delete
    2. I've seen this as a little girls pillowcase dress, and they are too cute and comfortable :)

      Delete
  21. You could do that for sure! I personally am a bit afraid to use a pillow case as a shirt. Especially a thrift store one.. Plus I have a bunch of fabric laying around. I might try a pillow case shirt sometime, but I will be very careful when I pick it out!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I wasn't sure at first whether I would really like the look of this, but the more I read, the more I imagined making this myself, and the more I did that, the more convinced I am that I am buying materials for this come payday. =D.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Do you think that for us lazy folks that we could use a pillow case? I think you could achieve the same look and it'd take less time!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks a bunch!..i realy do apreciate this..am a new fashion school student in Nigeria..nd your lecture is very good!.am looking forward to more of your teachings!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your shirt is very similar to a ridiculous American Apparel sells this dress for $40 http://store.americanapparel.net/rsa0300.html?cid=29

    The pattern is the same it just needs to be much larger with a longer strap :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I personally like this version of the dress/shirt way better than the one on the american apparel website.

      Delete
  26. I LOVE your two posts (this one and the dress one)!!! I'm Muslim so I try to wear clothes that are loose and long which turns out to be expensive and really hard to find, especially if I want stuff that actually look cute. So the last time I went to the mall I returned determined to start stitching my own clothes so I would have more control over the length and style of my clothes and wouldn't have to spend so much money. I've never stitched before so I was looking for something basic that I could attempt without messing everything up and you're a life saver. Thank you soo much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Aw Yay! I'm sooo glad you like this tutorial! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really like this project! What type of material did you use for the shirt?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am going to make several of these once I am not elephant size pregnant.

    ReplyDelete
  30. to make turning the sash right side out much faster, place floss in the middle of you fabrics that runs the length and sticks out a little at each end, sew over top when you sew close the one end, this way when it comes to flip, you just pull on the floss, and it turns right side out very fast!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I made two dresses with this exact design. Turned out great! Everyone loves them. One was out of chiffon material. Thank you for the tute.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love this! So making one after I finish going through all the fabrics in this house.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Cute! If you made half of it, you can probably use it as a top for the dress that you have instructions for as well!

    ReplyDelete
  34. oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh i luv it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. wow u are an absolute inspiration to me right now. i find sewing patterns hard to follow and i love making things and being thrifty your stuff is absolutly adorable smart and the simpleness refreshing.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I wanna make one now. Looking all over to make my own clothes this is my favorite sit!!!!;)

    ReplyDelete
  37. So cute! Love it! Cant wait to make one!

    ReplyDelete
  38. So adorable! I have a lovely piece of turquoise fabric I have been longing to use. I think I will be using it this afternoon. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love this shirt! The funniest thing though, is that's my dog! I mean, I know that's your dog, but it is my dogs twin!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love it! What material did you use?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Super adorable... will do... and soon! Hope it looks good on girls with curves!

    ReplyDelete
  42. You are adorable! LOVE how you styled it too! So super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Keep Doing tutorials. They're great.

    ReplyDelete
  44. It looks easy. I'm a beginner with a sewing machine w/hardly any knowledge. That looks really simple and pretty. Oh, and your hair is SO CUTE! Thx!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Another cheapie idea is to take a dress from a thrift store and maybe it is pretty fabric but too long, or has a stain or something on the bottom...cut it off and hem it into a shirt. You could also use the bottom of an old dress to sew to a tank top. (Easy finds at thrift shops)

    ReplyDelete
  46. PLEASE keep these coming! Thanks and i love the dif ways you styled! adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Awesome tutorial. My friend and I just had a craft date and whipped twoof these out in two hours sharing a sewing machine. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I've been thinking about something like this for a while now, I don't use patterns either, so I usually just make skirts:D lol This settles it, I have a cute blue/white check that begs to become my first of many of these shirts! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love this idea/ I am your newest follower. Tiffany

    Check my blog palace out sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  50. You are amazing!! So creative (and not to mention ONLY $5??!!)! I have a feeling my summer will be a little less boring and I'm going to dig out my mom's sewing machine right now!! Thank you so much, I couldn't take much more of re-runs of "What Not To Wear" and "Good Luck Charlie" :) ;)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your instructions made this look so easy, and so even though I cannot sew I just made this! Right up until the end my husband kept looking in and saying "uh...it looks like a bag" but then I strung the sash through it and all the sudden it was adorable! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Cute CUte Cute!! I love how you paired it with skinny jeans too! Great idea! Thanks for sharing! YOurs is the first tut. I've found that wasn't with tshirts! THANKS YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I used an old sweater that I don't wear, and used the sleeves for the sash! Its the most comfy shirt ever! Thanks sooo much:D

    ReplyDelete
  54. Best shirt.I really do appreciate you for this superb designing,I will prefer it for wearing.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thank you for another great tut that I can use.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm addicted to these, too! I make mine out of t shirts that I buy at thrift stores.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow - the tutorial is great but i fell in love with you hair! looks amazing!!!!!! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  58. thats soooo cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thank you so much! Today, I used this tutorial to make a dress. I simply made the panels longer (all the way to the ground), and left vents at the bottom of each side seam, so I could run, should the need arise :) If you don't mind, I would like to blog about the dress and link back to this page, so people can see your tutorial (and your adorable top).

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love your blog! I wasnt going to say anything but i decided to because it is so amazing! I am not really "of age" but who cares?! I have to say your dog is cute, even though i am incredibly scared of dogs. anyways your blog is awesome! i love the tutorials for your dress and shirt but maybe you could do another one for a shirt?Tommorow i will try it out on scrap fabric to see if i can do it then go out and get real fabric. if it turns out well i will do it will lavender and white satin and wear it with jeans to my family reunion! Well thank you!
    -Lianna

    ReplyDelete
  61. What type of fabric should i use????

    ReplyDelete
  62. You are sooo pretty and the outfit fits you great! I'm inspired to be as creative as you are! Thank you:)

    ReplyDelete
  63. I'm so glad I found this tute - I just made one of these tops and I'm impressed. It was quick and easy to make and it fits! I'm definitely going to make some more! I also think it's a great idea to switch out sashes for a different look. You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  64. i read your other tutorial and it was awesome! i loved it so at the end when it said you made another tutorial i was all for it! an it turned out pretty epic!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I just made this one out of a mint-colored sheet! I used white ribbon for the sash and it turned out dang cute! The back is pretty poofy, so I am going to see if I can find a way to tone it down, but I love this. Very comfy.

    ReplyDelete
  66. this is cute, iam going to try this. ty for showing us how !!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY,,, GOD BLESS

    ReplyDelete
  67. You are so pretty and thin that you would look great in a paper bag! Great job!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment!
Be sure to leave a link to YOUR blog so I can come say hi! xoxo