I’m so happy you’re here! If you’re new, I’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Pinterest!
I was crazy with redesigning tee shirts for awhile and this one was my favorite.
***
I’ve been cutting up tee shirts again. I bought 2 of these ’tissue tees’ at Target and cut up one of them to make ruffles for the other…they were cheap so cutting one was fine! That’s my story…
I cut one of the tees into 6 long strips then sewed a basting stitch close to one side and pulled into a ruffle…no need to hem…knit is a beautiful thing.
I played around with where to put the ruffles and then pinned them in place…
Then just sewed the ruffles into place and ironed them a bit!
I’ve got to quit buying shirts with the idea of cutting them up!
Julie Garmon says
October 18, 2010 at 8:24 amI don’t know what a basting stitch is. Is this a problem?
Love this look!!
Jenny says
October 18, 2010 at 9:36 amI love this! The ruffles add that girly and fun touch!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses =-.
Tricia says
October 18, 2010 at 9:40 amYour shirt turned out so great. I too have an addiction to buying clothes with the purpose of refashioning them. My husband thinks that it’s ridiculous and calls it t-shirt cannibalization.
I am having a Top-toberfest celebration this week at my blog. I’d love it if you’d come and link up this and any other shirts that you’ve made, embellished, or refashioned. It’s kind of a t-shirt show and tell.
Here’s the direct link to the Link Party.
http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com/p/top-toberfest.html
Tricia
Ann says
October 18, 2010 at 10:02 amVery cute tee. I’m going to have to go to Target and try this.
You are so talented!
Ann
Sarah says
October 18, 2010 at 10:29 amSo cute! I can’t wait to try this! 🙂
Sophia says
October 18, 2010 at 11:35 amI’m so in love with ruffles! I have tons of T-shirts at home, so I’m going to give it a try. Thanks so much for the tutorial!. I like reading your blog. I’ve done DIY projects and posted on http://www.makemania.com Take a look at mine and feel free to promote cool projects from your blog!
Jane Carter says
October 18, 2010 at 12:02 pmI am sooooo in love with these fabulous ruffled t-shirts you have been designing and creating!!! You need to start taking orders! This just might be my favorite yet.
rose says
October 18, 2010 at 4:31 pmlooks fantastic. unfor., i don’t sew. thanks rose
.-= rose´s last blog ..THE HORSES =-.
Pinky says
October 18, 2010 at 8:29 pmAre you kidding me???? You need to start a LINE OF CLOTHING!!!!!!!!!!! I really want one of these, I KNOW you coould sell them!!!!!!
janae king says
October 19, 2010 at 12:37 amAbsolutely the most fabulous T I’ve ever seen! I love it and want to make some too. Thanks for showing the process.
.-= janae king´s last blog ..Rubies and Pearls- Felt Flower Bobby Pins =-.
Leslie says
October 19, 2010 at 7:41 amthis looks great!
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..The Big Moments =-.
Cara @ Me? A Mom? says
October 19, 2010 at 8:41 amSuper cute. And, p.s., I’d kill for your torso! I’m short waisted so if I wore this I’d look like something out of the Wizard of Oz. LOL
Michelle @ Sweet Something says
October 19, 2010 at 9:02 amFantastic! I’ve been really wanting to try something like this, looks great!
Jennifer says
October 19, 2010 at 10:13 amI’m making one of these today! Thanks so much for the easy instructions…
Jennifer 🙂
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Easy Twirl Skirt a tutorial =-.
Elizabeth says
October 19, 2010 at 12:17 pmThis is awesome, I love this! I was just at Old Navy and saw shirts like this, and almost bought one. Glad I didn’t! Thanks for the super easy tutorial! Happy Fabric Tuesday 🙂
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Castle Peeps Doll Quilt – done! =-.
Eliana says
October 19, 2010 at 12:18 pmLove this! really creative and cute!
sewing is not my forte… 🙂 check out some of my makeovers @ refinish-it-all.com
Amnah says
October 19, 2010 at 12:34 pmBeautiful! I seriously need to try making one (or four) of these.
Lynette says
October 20, 2010 at 1:22 pmI absolutely love it! I have been thinking of making one just like this, but haven’t had the guts to try it. Seeing yours is giving me the courage to go for it! Thanks!
Michelle says
October 20, 2010 at 9:47 pmI LOVE it!! I wish I could refashion shirts.. maybe one day Ill be daring enough to cut up a shirt!
– Michelle @ Bunch of Craft
Amy Lynne says
October 20, 2010 at 11:10 pmSO cute!
.-= Amy Lynne´s last blog ..Tired =-.
Quiltstory says
October 21, 2010 at 11:07 amSo so so so cute. Maybe you could start to buy some tee’s with me in mind if you have too many? 🙂 Love this ruffle idea!! Thanks for linking up 🙂 See you next week!
.-= Quiltstory´s last blog ..Heathers halloween runner =-.
Charlene says
October 21, 2010 at 1:12 pmLove how a plain T comes to life with some dimention!! I LOVE this!! Thanks for the tutorial also!
Ellie says
October 21, 2010 at 9:28 pmSo jealous of your talents. And I mean that in a good way!
.-= Ellie´s last blog ..I surprise myself- it doesnt take much =-.
allie says
October 21, 2010 at 9:29 pmThis turned out super-fab! Excellent job!
You should come link this up to my Making It With Allie Party!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
October 21, 2010 at 9:41 pmBeautiful job! This style is so cute and flattering on you.
.-= Kim @ Cheap Chic Home´s last blog ..Fabric Fun Thursday No 20 =-.
Allison says
October 22, 2010 at 12:11 amI LOVE this look! How amazing a simple grey tee can look! Thanks for sharing! you’ve got me motivated!
Becky says
October 22, 2010 at 11:48 amI love the ruffless–something about a ruffled gray tee that just makes me smile. Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party.
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Under 100 Linky Party =-.
Melony Ralph says
October 22, 2010 at 12:18 pmAwww… I like it. I like it! I shall try it! 🙂
.-= Melony Ralph´s last blog ..She felt like trashbut she was His treasure =-.
Southern Fried Gal says
October 22, 2010 at 2:40 pmYou make it seem so easy. This shirt is really gorgeous! Happy Friday!
.-= Southern Fried Gal´s last blog ..Easy Pumpkin Patch Brownies =-.
Jen says
October 22, 2010 at 6:39 pmLove it! Thanks for sharing your idea!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday- Crock Pot Chicken in Sherry Sauce =-.
Christene {WhipperBerry} says
October 25, 2010 at 12:47 amI LOVE this! I obtained a hole in my cute pink tissue tee (darn nail!) and it’s in the worst place ever on my chest and THIS would be the perfect solution. Thanks for a beautiful idea!
Robin says
October 25, 2010 at 9:12 amChristene…those tissue tees are sooooo unforgiving! I got a hole in mine too! xoxo
TidyMom says
October 25, 2010 at 7:40 amRobin I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! what a cute idea!!
.-= TidyMom´s last blog ..I’m Lovin’ it Wrap Up 10-24-10 =-.
Amanda says
October 26, 2010 at 12:37 pmYou did an awesome job! Love this t-shirt! I want to try one now!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..The Verdict =-.
Carolyn says
October 26, 2010 at 8:28 pmThat is just so cute! I just bought a couple of cheap grey t-shirts. Now I know just what to do with them.
Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden.
.-= Carolyn´s last blog ..Easy Holiday Placemats =-.
somedaycrafts says
October 27, 2010 at 8:18 amcongradulations!!! This was the most viewed link last week at Whatever Goes Wednesday at Somedaycrafts.blogpsot.com. I am highlighting it this week.
Patty says
October 27, 2010 at 8:35 amLove this t! I’m going to have to try this! Thanks for the tutorial!
Brooke says
October 27, 2010 at 5:18 pmLove it!
Gail says
October 31, 2010 at 2:04 amI love this project. Ruffled tees are so cute. I would like one in every color. I love that fact that you actually get the job done. I buy the materials but don’t get the project finished so kudos to you. Great job.
.-= Gail´s last blog ..Reminscing about the 2009 Indiana Trip =-.
Cassi says
November 4, 2010 at 4:56 pmI love the look of this one. I may have to try one similar.
.-= Cassi´s last blog ..UnDead Walking =-.
audrey says
December 1, 2010 at 12:21 pmYou are genius. That is so inspiring. It looks straight out of J-Crew too. Fantastic job!
.-= audrey´s last blog .. =-.
Leslee Mitchell says
February 9, 2011 at 12:12 pmThis is genius! Each time I buy a shirt at Anthro or Jcrew I think to myself “I could make this thing.” I knew it could be done! Great job!
Deborah Roberts says
February 14, 2011 at 12:03 amOMG This is a GREAT idea!! Thanks for sharing! You should totally make these and sell them!
Michelle @ Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says
February 14, 2011 at 12:44 amWow, this turned out so beautiful and professional. Thanks for the tip!
Warmly, Michelle
Cindy @ Custom Comforts says
February 16, 2011 at 7:48 amLove your T-shirt idea. So creative. I will definitely have to try it. Thanks fro sharing.
Cindy
Michelle says
February 27, 2011 at 12:35 amI love ruffles! And this turned out great!!!! Of course, I love the gray color too. Great job! I might have to try this if I an ever find the time!
kelley says
March 29, 2011 at 11:56 amI’ve been looking for just the “right ruffle” project! thank you!!
Danielle says
April 16, 2011 at 1:46 pmThis shirt is fantastic! Do you sell these???
Laurin says
May 11, 2011 at 7:47 pmLove the shirt….love the skinny waist and tummy just as much.
Abby Marriott says
May 28, 2011 at 12:34 pmHey I LOVE this shirt…but I’m new to the whole sewing ruffles scene. I could really use some better instructions. Three questions: How wide and long were your strips? Did you wrap the ruffles in a semi-circle or in lines? And, did you sew them on with a machine or by hand? If you could answer those I would be SO happy. Thanks!!
Robin says
May 29, 2011 at 5:20 pmAbby…I just played it by ear the ruffles were about 1-1 1/2 inch’s I think and I doubled the area I wanted to cover leaving room to ruffle the fabric…The ruffles are lines that meet in the middle because it’s easier to do 2 smaller strips of fabric when making the ruffle…I always use a machine and if you google How to make ruffles…you’ll find lots of great tutorials. This post was more to give an idea on how to use ruffles on a tee shirt so I didn’t go into how to make ruffles! Good luck!
Maggie says
June 18, 2011 at 12:44 amI so want want of these, can you make one to order?
Robin says
June 22, 2011 at 5:27 pmMaggie…oh Sweetie…I’m sorry, I just don’t have the time right now! xo
Maggie says
June 18, 2011 at 2:01 pmOne question…are the edges of the ruffle raw or stitched closed then turned inside out and flattened? Thanks so much, Maggie
Robin says
June 22, 2011 at 5:27 pmMaggie…the fabric is jersey, same as the tee, and it doesn’t have to be hemmed! Oh praise be!
abuzer says
June 25, 2011 at 5:38 amgüzel gögüsler
Ulrika Wallén says
July 3, 2011 at 3:28 amGreat idea. Thanks for the tutorial!
TinKanner says
July 29, 2011 at 7:09 pmthanks this is a beautiful idea, simply executed
DuongSheahan says
August 1, 2011 at 1:10 amLOVE this DYI ruffled T-s!!! Brilliant really.
Kelly says
August 10, 2011 at 11:37 amOh my….I am in LOVE. I might have to get my mom to help me with one and then give it a go myself! I am a complete sucker for ruffles for me and my girls. Found you from pinterest! Off to check out more of your stuff:)
Leah says
August 13, 2011 at 2:04 pmI love this t-shirt! I love it so much I actually have it “pinned” for a birthday present to myself. Problem is, I DO NOT know how to sew. Do you sell these anywhere? If not, were you inspired by a store that carries something similar?
Robin says
August 15, 2011 at 7:43 amLeah…I don’t sell them. I’m sorry. and I was inspired by all the ruffles everywhere last year! (my go-to clothes come from J Crew) I don’t think I saw a similar one, I just experimented with the ruffles until the design looked right! This really is an easy think to do, but try an old tee shirt first! xo
Erika says
March 2, 2012 at 8:34 amYou should really think about selling! These are fabulous, and I know I’d buy one for sure!
Melanie says
August 23, 2011 at 4:22 pmI love the idea! I am new to sewing but am up for the challenge! How did you sew the ruffles? After they were pinned or one by one?
Robin says
August 31, 2011 at 6:28 amMelanie…I pinned them first then sewed them … good luck!
Sheri says
August 29, 2011 at 9:49 amDid you pull the strips before stitching them to the shirt? Not yet tried this but, hope to very soon! Thanks for sharing!
Robin says
August 31, 2011 at 6:27 amSheri…I made the ruffles before putting them on the shirt! xo
PCTuesday says
September 15, 2011 at 12:20 pmI have been toying with making a recycled ruffle t-shirt here lately. I came across your tutorial. Did you use any kind of backing for your ruffles? I’m concerned about the ruffle part being too heavy and pulling down on the shirt.
Robin says
September 15, 2011 at 5:00 pmPCTuesday…I used a light weight tee for the ruffle and I didn’t have any problems. Good luck
PCTuesday says
September 15, 2011 at 7:34 pmThanks. My shirts are not the light weight. We’ll see what happens!
Amanda says
September 19, 2011 at 8:40 pmI know it’s a year later…Which way did you cut the shirt? Mine have seams down the sides.
joni says
September 23, 2011 at 1:10 amI love this t-shirt! Can’t wait to give this a try. I’m wondering the same thing Amanda is…how did you cut the shirt? Thanks for a beautiful idea!
Liz says
October 14, 2011 at 2:37 pmAboslutely love this….. ive never sewn in my life but would love to try this!! Is there a video i can see how to do this step by step???
Robin says
October 14, 2011 at 5:33 pmLiz…I don’t 🙁 I know there are great videos on sewing out there. I bet there’s one on how to do a ruffle!
Lauren says
October 18, 2011 at 8:11 pmDid you sew them from the inside? I’m not great with ruffles. gonna try to get my g-ma to help.
Robin says
October 19, 2011 at 8:26 amLauren…I just sewed the ruffles on the right side w/ the same color thread! G-ma will get it done I bet! xoxo
cara says
November 12, 2011 at 4:17 pmcan I buy the ruffled tee from you??
Robin says
November 13, 2011 at 5:55 amCara….I’m sorry I don’t have any time to make things to sell right now! I promise though, they’re easy!
Elizabeth says
November 16, 2011 at 9:58 amDitto everyone’s comments on here about how great this shirt is! I am unclear as to how you created the ruffles. Anyway you can jot an easy 3 step process? Just not sure what to do with the strips once you cut them (i.e. how to configure the ruffles and then sew them)
Thanks so much! Sorry if this is a silly question 🙂
Cindy says
January 15, 2012 at 11:36 amI’ve added this to my Pinterest! I shall make this very soon, I hope! great tutorial.
erickapugh1214 says
January 21, 2012 at 11:43 pmyou should start making them! they are great..mabee even with diff color ruffles. if you do let me know i would so be some!
karen says
January 22, 2012 at 3:51 pmso cool=
just tweeted
Thanks,
Karen
tkinninmont says
January 23, 2012 at 7:32 pmI have made something like this before but you are right, it is really easy. It looks hard and complicated but it is not. Thanks for posting this. You did a great job and inspired me to do this for myself.
T
Ash Robbins says
February 11, 2012 at 11:25 amI just found your blog and have fallen in love with it. I adore all of your t-shirt ideas but I have a question. We’re shaped alike but I often have trouble finding t-shirts that show that I actually have a waist. Are you tailoring them? If not, where are the best places to buy project shirts that show off curves. Thanks and I look forward to following your blog.
Robin says
February 13, 2012 at 7:43 amHi Ash! Happy to meet you! To answer your question, I do sometimes take in my shirts if needed. But often times they work fine! I shop at all the “cheap” places! Target, H&M but my favorite store is JCrew. (Any of the shirts I cut up though come from places like Target!)
xo
Cruy says
February 22, 2012 at 10:27 pmDon’t stop I love the idea it’s awesome
Sharon says
March 7, 2012 at 2:38 pmLOVE IT! Really want to try this when I catch a 2-fer sale. How did it look after you washed it? I know that jersey knit can roll up on the unfinished ends and I usually like that but I wasn’t sure if I would on an already ruffled shirt. Thanks!
PS: Def going to follow you on Pinterest now! Yippee!
Robin says
March 9, 2012 at 6:41 amSharon, the ruffle did curl but I looked great wash after wash! I suppose the only issue would be if the ruffles were very small and they rolled making them too small after a wash…:)
Mimi says
March 30, 2012 at 9:56 pmRobin you make me want to save up for a sewing machine!!! Love this tee and been entertaining the idea of making my own clothes. Cool to see you are in Atlanta too. Keep up the great work! Thanks for sharing this idea.
Ginny says
April 2, 2012 at 3:14 pmWhat a great tutorial! I love reconstructing boring t-shirt into something fabulous like this. I like it so much, I ended up including it on my blog… http://darlingadventures.com/?p=574
Thanks!
phyllis walz says
May 10, 2012 at 8:39 pmhow much is one of your shirts, i love them.
Robin says
May 11, 2012 at 4:56 amPhyllis…I’m sorry honey, I don’t sell them! xoxo (thank you so much though!)
Cecilia Vinueza says
June 10, 2012 at 12:42 pmIm a latin-american lady I love making my own clotes tankyou for share very interesting tips.
Julie Garmon says
August 20, 2012 at 8:32 amTruly, you work miracles!
Anja says
December 26, 2012 at 1:15 pmI can see how this has becomd one of your most popular projects. It is so cute!
Rita says
December 31, 2012 at 12:36 pmwhich way did you cut the ruffles – horizontal or vertical? Thanks.
Robin says
January 1, 2013 at 12:08 pmRita, horizontal! Good luck with yours! xo
Michelle says
February 19, 2014 at 11:04 pmI just took a sewing class and this looks like a cool starter project. Not sure about basting on one side. Are you folding the strip then stitching it. It would be so cool if you could do a tutorial video on Youtube!
Robin says
February 20, 2014 at 5:30 pmMichelle, I’ve never done a sewing video! I’ll give that some thought…good luck with your project!
Stephanie says
July 8, 2014 at 1:31 amI tried to sign up via e-mail, but it wouldn’t let me. Any idea why? Also, love the t-shirt! Question about the sewing the ruffles…did you do it by hand or machine?
Robin says
July 13, 2014 at 9:12 amHi Stephanie! I’m so happy to meet you…can you tell me if you tried to sign up on my sidebar? I really appreciate you giving me a heads up…and about those ruffles…I did them w/ my sewing machine! ox
Stephanie says
August 29, 2014 at 12:45 pmI basically know how to sew a straight stitch and that’s it. Is making a ruffle hard? Do you pleat the fabric as it goes through the machine?
Robin says
August 30, 2014 at 6:36 amStephanie, a straight line is all that’s needed! I think you’ll find lots and lots of picture tutorials if you google: how to sew ruffles! It’ll be easier than me telling you…I always do better with photos! ox
Ana says
August 27, 2014 at 4:22 pmI also going to make this t-shirt super
Robin says
August 28, 2014 at 8:15 pmGreat Ana…I know yours will be amazing! ox