This is easily my favorite and easiest t-shirt refashion that I have tried so far. All it requires is a needle and thread – no machine!
I started with two clearance t-shirts from Forever 21 {$2/ea.}. I used the second t-shirt to make the flowers. But you can use leftover fabric for the flowers and then you only need one shirt.
I made a sketch of what I wanted the t-shirt to look like.
Then I used my circle template to cut out some circle forms.
I made four sizes of circles, ranging in size from 4 inches in diameter for the largest to 2 inches in diameter for the smallest.
I cut out squares of material and then stacked the squares under the template and cute them all out at once — saves a ton of time!
I cut out: 9 ex. small (2 inch), 11 small (2.5 inch), 5 medium (3 inch), 3 large (4 inch).
Then I laid the circles out on the t-shirt — the way it looked in my drawing. I layered the circles — two circles for each flower and three circles in a couple near the center of the t-shirt. I pinned the flowers in place.
Then I made the flowers. I folded the circles in half.
And put three stitches through the back, then I unfolded the circle and folded it in half the other way and did the same thing. This gives the flower more dimension. Then I put the needle through the center of the flower, up toward me and attached a matching bead (found them at Michaels Crafts). I threaded between 3-7 beads in the center of each flower. I didn’t want each flower to be exactly the same. When I got all of the flowers sewed on, I tried the shirt on and if the flowers flopped around too much, I put a couple of extra stitches in the edges of the flowers to keep them in place.
Super easy and the beads add a little bling. Kind of fun with a pair of capris for Summertime! I am frantically running around getting projects ready to go on Studio 5 on Thursday. I am going to be doing a segment on Subway Art!! I can’t wait to show you the subway art projects!!!
Updated to add: When washing your shirt, turn it inside out and wash it on delicate. Then while wet, turn it right side out and lay on a flat surface. Arrange the flowers so they are flat and air dry. Have a Happy Day!
Katherine says
I love this and can’t wait to try it, but I’m a total novice at sewing. How do you keep the fabric circles from fraying?
Katherine says
I’m excited to try this but a total novice at sewing. How do you keep the fabric circles from fraying?
Alisa says
i saw a similiar shirt in walmart….but your shirt costs less and looks better!
Crazy Tees
JHill says
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
Fawnda says
This is AWESOME!! I love it! I also love Forever 21!
Ashlee @ I'm Topsy Turvy says
I LOVE it! So cute. I love t-shirt refashions. In fact I just bought myself 8 new shirts to play with.. when I fix my sewing machine! Anyway I just started a link party and I would love it if you would drop in and add your amazing shirt! http://imtopsyturvy.com/index.php/2010/07/topsy-turvy-tuesdays-1/
Misty says
Cute, CUTE T-shirt makeover!! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
★All Thingz Related★ says
Thanks for helping us have another great Anything Related! ~Bridgette
Heather says
This shirt is so cute I featured on my new blog if you want to check it out and grab a button!
http://soverycreative.blogspot.com/2010/07/t-shirt-refashion.html
Stephanie says
Great job, I love it!!
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Super-cute! I just picked up a few tees to embellish and was looking for a how-to. Thanks for providing one!
Stephanie says
What a pretty shirt (and such a fabulous color too!). I'm impressed by your craftiness. 🙂
[email protected]
Jennia Hart says
I love that you used your Fiskars cutter for the circles. The first thing I thought when I saw the shirt was " I wonder if I can use my Sizzix to make the circles?" Guess I got my answer!!!!
The shirt is adorable. I'm bookmarking this and I'll be back to make one!
Laura says
Jenn, this is the cutest! I love the color of the shirt.
Ann @ makethebestofthings says
Beautiful redo. Love the color too.
Jacqueline says
My girlfriend just sported several of these she had made on a trip we took to Cabo together. I bought matching t shirts but haven't done any yet. This is so cute and easy. Thanks. Looks like you have a lot of other fun shirt make overs too. Tre fun.
Debbie says
This is amazing!!! I linked over from The Girl Creative this morning. I'm looking forward to spending some serious time looking around your blog. Thanks for sharing!
FrouFrouBritches says
That turned out great! I love the little beads in the middle – such a great detail.
Jen says
I saw this one when you posted the link to Studio 5, it's my favorite t-makeover! I love that blue, it is so pretty. You have so much talent Jen 🙂 I wonder if there is a Forever 21 near me…
Andrea says
So great! I love how it turned out!
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com
Sibel'in hobi dünyası . . . says
Super, very nice idea, this fashion is loooks great, thanks for sharing 😀
Jennifer says
i love "super easy"!
and this shirt is super cute!
can't wait to give it a try!!
jen@eighteen25
Kari @ Ucreate says
I LOVE this!!
Tricia says
The refashion looks great. I love the color of the shirt as well. Thanks for sharing.
Tricia Leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com
Fleur de Bee says
Girlfriend….haha! When do you find time to sleep? You have blown me away again! I am SO making one of these….but AFTER I get some sleep 🙂
xoxo
Shop Without Money Sisters says
This is great! Another non-sewer here who thinks she could handle it…maybe bringing back to life some shirts with a few food stains dribbled on them that just won't come out? Hmmmm….now that would be fashionably frugal!
Heather
ellie g says
Loved this shirt from the first time I saw it. I think the circle flowers look so cute! I say this, while qualifying that I won't be wearing a shirt like this because I stood in the "big chest" line 7 times in heaven. And, consequently, try not to bring any attention to the top half.
I will totally be tuning in on Thursday. I think they might do a little mention about a funny story that happened to my Mom. (they said either tomorrow or Thursday)
Anyway, I can't wait to see what you have ready for Thursday. DVR is SET! Yay!
The Farmer's Wife says
This is great stuff! I'm so glad you have a blog to teach us!
Chelsey - The Paper Mama says
That is very cute! I may have to try this.
berg4 says
I love this project – easy & classy! Thanks for sharing
BLJ Graves Studio says
Adorable! I am so going to try this… after I finish painting my kitchen island. This could take a while. 🙂
Beth at Aunties says
Seriously, this turned out so adorable! I am going to head out and find some of the t-shirts and make my daughter and dil's each one. What a great idea and so darling!
Is your mom doing alright? I miss her posting although I too have not been very diligent with our lives happenings. Please give her my best…
I remember her last years 4th of July celebration post which was filled with family, great ideas and fun. ~♥
seemommyknit says
Oh I LOVE this one! I might have to make some for my toddler as well! (without the beads ;-))
Thanks Jennifer!
Terrell says
UH-MAZING!! Just love this idea! I'm going to have to make up some for my daughter and myself! WOOT! can't wait! Thank you for sharing the idea!! HUGS!
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~
Kelli @ RTSM says
That is a seriously cute shirt! I have one kind of like that from Target, but I love the bling that you added!
Tracy Rogers says
LOVE this idea! Simply adorable…! Love your blog…love your ideas…you rock!
xoxo
Rhonda says
Yea, more Studio 5! You are doing awesome. I love the color of this shirt…it would really bring out my blue eyes. I bought 2 turquoise shirts to do something too. I may try this one. Too cute!
Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful says
Ok…I think I can do this, me and my non-existent sewing skills! That turned out so stinkin cute and I am in LOVE with that beautiful bold blue!
Good luck with Studio 5…I know you'll be great!
~Amanda
Staci J says
I LoVE how this turned out!! It's super cute, I sooo want to do this!
Carrie says
Absolutely love this!
Courtney says
So cute, Jen! This is getting added to my to-do list!
Take it Personally by Christine says
Super Fabulous! Thanks for the amazing ideas!!!!!
Leah @ A Butterfly In My Stomach says
I'm in love with this shirt! I can so do this! THANKS!
Janet says
I like that!!
Janet
Jenglamgirl says
Totally adorable. Love that color too. Great job Jenn! HUGS, jENN
Aubree says
Love it! I have been wanting to make a shirt just like this. Thanks for the inspiration!
I am glad to hear you say you are working on Studio 5 stuff. They have been showing re-runs for so long that I was worried it had been canceled!
mama k says
That is so cute!!! Love it!
The Working Home Keeper says
Very cute! And easy enough I could do it with my non-sewing abilities!
Mary Ellen
L ~DIY Diva~ says
That looks great. i saw a similiar shirt in walmart….but your shirt costs less and looks better!
~L~
Fashion DIY Giveaway going on
ENTER NOW
http://www.AvidAccents.blogspot.com
L ~DIY Diva~ says
That looks great. i saw a similiar shirt in walmart….but your shirt costs less and looks better!
~L~
Fashion DIY Giveaway going on
ENTER NOW
http://www.AvidAccents.blogspot.com
Country Mouse says
This is great!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!!
mle says
Wow! super adorable!!
Regina Moore says
super-cute!
Real Life Reslers says
It's beautiful! Now I have to run….got to go find some shirts!
Genevieve Le Bel says
WOW!!! LOVE IT!!! So super cute! I'm so trying this TODAY!!! 🙂
KJ says
This is a great refashion! looks fab!
Paula says
Very cute! The beads in the center of each flower really look great!
Bethany @ The Paper Pony says
So cute and totally doable. Thanks for sharing such a fab idea!
Sara says
This looks like something easy enough that I can do! I don't have a sewing machine yet.
The colour looks gorgeous on you 🙂
Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants says
That is adorable!!!! I wear large size clothes and they never have anything like that in my size, I will have to try to make my own!!! Thanks for sharing!
Nina @ Momma Go Round says
Seriously so adorable! I have a closet full of plain, boring shirts that need some help. Can't wait to try this one!