Here’s a little project I made the other night. Do you have any Charlotte Russe stores near you? I was in ours and found some great, really basic tees for $4. I really liked the neckline and weight of the fabric. I brought them home and I had this picture of a Anthropologie “Tutu” shirt that I had printed off awhile ago to see if I could recreate.
I also had a Dollar Store Flour Sack Tea Towel that I bought thinking I would stencil something cute on it. So I did a little experimenting and created my own version of the Tutu Shirt. And for $5 — I couldn’t be more pleased!
Supplies:
Round-neck Tee Shirt
Dollar Store Flour Sack Tea Cloth or some lightweight cotton material (28″ x 28″) — You may need 2 -depending on how big your shirt is and how many ruffles you need to make.
Sewing Machine (this is a beginning sewing project – if I can do it, so can you!)
Thread
Pins
Scissors
Instructions:
- Print off a copy of the “Tutu” shirt so you can really see what it looks like. The ruffles go around the neckline and down at an angle on the left side of the shirt. Plus, the top layer of ruffles are shorter than the other layers.
- Cut strips of your cloth or tea towel. The first ruffle I cut at 3.5 inches wide by 28 inches long – which is the length of the tea towel.
- Cut the rest of the strips 5 inches in width.
- You want to sew each of the edges of the strips so there is no fraying. Use a small stitch and fold the edges under about 1/4 inch. You can also iron the edges if you want to be very precise. I just eyeballed it and since you are ruffling the material, you don’t have to be perfectly precise – which is just the way I like it!!
- Once all the edges are folded under and sewed, you want to put a larger stitch down the top of one side of all of the strips so you can ruffle the material. I sewed this stitch right under the previous stitch at the top — do not backstitch this stitch because you want to be able to pull it.
- Now ruffle up your strips. Take the thread at one end of the stitch you just made, and pull on it. You should be able to push the material down and the thread will keep getting longer as the material gets shorter and the material ruffles.
- You can always adjust the length of the ruffles once you get them on your shirt.
- Start with the top ruffle around the neck. Start the ruffle up at the shoulder just like the picture. Run the ruffle around the neckline and angle it down to end just at the seam of the other side of the shirt about 1/3 of the way down the shirt. Pin the ruffle in place.
- Now do the same thing right under that ruffle. You can flip the upper ruffle out of the way. You want to make sure that the underneath ruffle covers the top of the bottom ruffle.
- Keep going until you get to the end of the shirt.
- At the very top of the left hand side are two layers of little ruffles. Use any leftover material to make these.
- When I was finished, the kind of stiff flour sack material was a little too poufy for me, so I tacked down each of the layers with my machine. I tacked each layer down about 4 times across each ruffle. This made me feel less like a confectionery. If you use thinner material that lays down better, you will not need to tack anything down.
I am linking up to these great parties:
;
Unique Idea! I have to try that 😀
Love the ruffled shirt – really well done tutorial, too. Could this shirt be made with all T shirt material? I made a baby ruffled skirt just using a T shirt and strips of another T shirt cut and gathered for the ruffles. Might work for this shirt.
I can send you a photo of the skirt if you would like. It’s really adorable and reminds me of this shirt.
This is one, No, not one, the easiest and most straight forward tutorial that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Thank you for taking the time to make it and I will be checking back here on a regular basis from now on to see what you are working on.
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I have wanted a shirt like this for a long time, but they are way to much in the stores, so now I can make my own!
that shirt is super cute!! good for you…you did a terrific job on it. in fact, i just might make one for myself…thanks!!!!!!!
Jen, This is Adorable and from the looks, how to, really easy. I am going to make myself a couple, different colours. And since I’m on a skirt/dress kick I’m going to make a dress too. Thanks and I will be back for more ideas. Will send in pic of them all. See yall.
JLB
I LOVED THIS BLOUSE WITH THE FRILLS THAT YOU MADE….WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE IF YOU COULD SEW ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ME?
Thanks,
Ramona
Great job! I need some fun summer shirts. Great tutorial. Thanks Kristy from http://www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com my crafty,healthy, blog.
Great idea! Will have to try this
I love this! Thank you for sharing
so clever and so so cute
I love, love, love your ideas. I am inspired! Anything which involves turning old into new or upcycling gets me giddy. Keep up the good work. Rgds, Lynn in Dubai
I love this…I will be making one for myself
What a great tutorial… I have a couple boring shirts that I didn't know what to do with… I think one will become a ruffled shirt…
I just had to share that I was inspired by your inspiration! I bought a package of Men's Ts at Target, a pack of four flour packs and an adorable scarf at the 99 cent store. (I wanted to add a splash of color). I'm emailing you pictures of the finished product. I love it, and my friends think I'm super talented (I tell them it was your idea, not mine)
I would love to see the variation of what this women did with your shirt can you send me her photo of this.
Oh wow, that looks so cute, and even cuter on you. You are just adorable, now on me, all those ruffles, may not be so cute, but for my daughter, yes please. NEVER would have thought, so gotta love you for sharing!!!
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
OMG! I already have white ruffled fabric! I now know what I want to make out of it!
Wonderful. It looks awesome on you.
Lovely tutorial! I posted it on my blog 🙂
http://katiegariepy.blogspot.com
Very cute! I just discovered your blog today, and I love it! I love to sew and I love clothes, and you have a lot of great ideas on how to look stylish on a tight budget.
Linked! http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2010/08/anthro-inspired-ruffly-t-shirt-dollar-store-remake/
Jen – you always amaze me. I just adore the ruffles – super cute! Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it. I am featuring this today. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. ~ Stephanie Lynn
wow! you nailed it! visiting from shabby chic cottage.
You are so cute! Genius use of the flour sack towel. 🙂
WOW – awesome shirt – I have to try that
Simply amazing! Love what you've created here. Thanks so much for sharing. So creative and I love, love, love ruffles.
So, so cute…I wonder if I could get away with it…
So cute! Just one more thing to add to my "to do" list! Hahaha!
So dang cute! I wish I could wear something like that. But it wouldn't work for me. Looks adorable on you! Thanks for sharing.
That is so stinkin' cute! You should come over and link up to Tuesday Tell All. MyCraftielife.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing. I went to our Dollar Tree to get the towel today and found a irregular, white scoop neck t-shirt that was perfect enough for this for a $1 too! I cant wait to get started!
Um seriously amazingly adorably cute!!! 🙂
We'd love if you came and added them to our new linky party just for fabric projects!!
Wow, you did am amazing job!!
Tracey
So cute! I'm loving the new design on T&J!
kristy
http://www.illgetyoumypretties.blogspot.com
That is really amazing! I love it!
suchakingdom.blogspot.com
SO CUTE. It turned out so awesome. I love your cute trampoline pictures. You are so stinking ADORABLE.
I love your site…have forever.
I would love for you to stop by my site any time you have a free second.
Just Another Day in Paradise
I just got a plain white tee from my mom yesterday…it might just get refashioned into this!! Thanks for sharing!!
That came out adorable. I didn't know that the dollar store had tea sacks. Will have to go check that out. 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
Cute top! I never thought of using a flour sack! Great idea!
That is adorable Jenn
Cheri
Fabulous…simply fabulous!! I am so glad you de-mystified the layout of this shirt. I actually tried to make a similar one, but it was a total disaster! 🙂 I am filing this at thecraftersfilebox.com. Thanks so much for sharing!
And I'm also linking up to the party today. Thanks!
I subscribe to along for the ride. Love it!
Awesome job. Give true meaning to that old saying about looking good in a flour sack!
What a wonderful idea! I shared your tutorial on my blog: http://craftyfever.blogspot.com/
I can't wait to try to make one for myself!
So Cute Jen! You have so much talent, for reals!
I love this!
I need to make this!!! GREAT job! 😀
I love it! Too bad I can only sew butttons…sometimes..if I'm desperate.
Very cute! I love all the ruffley-girly stuff that all the stores are carrying now. Thanks for sharing the great step by step!
Fantastic. I think I'm going to make myself something FINALLY!! This is fabulous! Thank you!!!
Cute and talented…can't believe I like you so much! I am blown away by the things you can create. I love the shirt, it looks great on you and I'm amazed by how you did it!
You are so talented!! LOVE It!
Love it, Jen and I love your new blog look!
Oh WOW! That's a fabulous shirt!! I would never have guessed that you used a flour sack! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-anthropologie-inspired-ruffle-tee-from-inexpensive-materials/2010/08/20/
–Anne
I love when you take these projects on, Jen, since your versons always turn out looking nicer than the inspiration piece! All the ruffle projects are my favorites, too.
What a cool shirt- I wish I could sew– if you are willing to sell one let me know- I'll buy one from you-or maybe we can exchange- I'm a photographer and have tons of prints on my website–
Have a lovely weekend!
Kelly
http://kellyannstudio.blogspot.com/
So pretty! I love any project where I can use dollar store items!
Adorable! I love your clothing ideas and hope to one of these days try a t-shirt redo out myself. I like your new blog design, too!
I love a great bargin, even if I have to do a little work 🙂
What a fabulous t-shirt project Jen! I love it! Is your mum ok? I haven't seen anything from her in a while. xxoo
Beautiful
Brilliant! I think I'm going to have to do this.
AMAZING, who would of thought of a tea towel??? I love the new look of the blog!
Ok, you REALLY are amazing, you just are lol. 🙂 That shirt is adorable and you are GORGEOUS! You're a blessed girl Jen. <3
So cute! I've been playing around with ruffles too, but I hadn't thought to use a tea cloth! It looks great on you!
Have a great weekend!
You my friend are darling. I love your tshirt refashion. You had be a ruffle. 😉
Ok, if I make one of those will I look as cute as you do in it? You look like a teenager for goodness sake. Love your new blog design, great choices of color.
Are you for real, woman? How amazing is this! I've got the T and and towels…you takin' orders? 🙂
Simply adorable!! Oh…and I LOVE your blog's new look!
Holy crud that is so cute! It looks amazing and super adorable on you!
I so wish I could pull off that shirt, but I'm a little too well endowed and I think it would just stick straight out.
This is so cute! I just love ruffles. What a fabulous idea. I like the new blog design too. 🙂
Love love love this! I can't wait to make it!
Look how cute you are!
Oh I wish I would have seen this earlier. I just came home from the mall and I did go into charlotte russe. My favorite store by the way and I was holding the 2.99 tee shirt in my hand and decided not to get it because I don't know why? Dumb move on my part. This blog post would have definitely inspired me. Oh well. I love your finsihed project.
Jessica
Adorable! Wish I could sew!! And your hair is gorgeous!
What a cute shirt. Charlotte Russe here I come!
Love it! Cant wait to try my own 🙂
I esp love the pic of the jumping on the trampoline 🙂 Awesome!
That is fantastic! It turned out so great!!!
OH my GOSH! You look so cute in that shirt! 🙂
You did an amazing job, like always 🙂
I love it!
~Shelley
I WANNNNT! i so wish I had a sewing machine so I could start somewhere and then get to where you are. LOVE THIS SHIRT. It looks great on you, but you would look great in anything, HOW are you so thin? what is your secret?. do a post on it? You make for a fab. model in your fab. shirt. Hugs, JEN
I love it. And it looks so stinkin' cute on you too!
How have you been? I hope you've had a wonderful summer.
You are super super cute – the shirt is darling, but you are just awesome!
Super job! That looks way awesome! Thanks for posting your tutorial!
It's adorable! Looks great on you too. 🙂
Sooooo cute! Bummer I have already used all my tea towels! Back to the dollar store I go!
If I didn't love you, I'd hate you.
This is adorable! Thanks for the tip about the t-shirt! It's always great to find a good, inexpensive one!
Great job!
Love it, it looks so cute on you! I'm also lovin' your new blog design, so cute!
Thanks for such a great tutorial, I had no idea about the tea towels… that opens up a whole new world of crafting possibilities, haha!
-Ann Marie
LOVE the ruffles! I NEED to try this!
Adorable….of course a flour sack would look cute on you!! see?!! 😀
Suzanne
So cute!