Sunday, June 26, 2011

Embellish It!!

A few weeks ago a children's store in town had a huge tent sale. Mama and I bought WAY too many smocked dresses for Gray...but they're all different sizes, so this justifies our purchase. They had a rack of plain old boring tank tops for $2, so I picked up a few just to have around.

I found one of the shirts yesterday when I was picking up in Gray's room and decided it was time to add a little spice to this shirt.  I grabbed one of Hubby's old white undershirts and some scrap jersey and got to work! This project literally took me less than 20 minutes so don't be scared of it!

Before Picture of the Boring Tank Top

To get started, grab the shirt you want to embellish as well as other shirts or scraps that you will be using for your design. I will  be making a flower with a stem, so I grabbed some scrap green jersey and one of Hubby's old white shirts (with permission of course)

Cut a long strip out of your main flower fabric about 1-2" wide. I went the whole way around the shirt. You will be ruffling it, so it will be much shorter when you're done.

If you're making a stem, make sure you cut that fabric out too. Cut a long strip, not quite as wide as your flower fabric.

To Ruffle: Run a basting stitch down the long side of your fabric strip (I set my stitch length to 5, or the longest you have) Pull on the bobbin thread (the one that's on the bottom) to ruffle your fabric.

*Cheater Alert*  
 If you want a very even ruffle like the one below, as you're stitching, lightly hold your thread as it comes off of your spool to increase the tension. Your fabric will ruffle up nice and evenly! Who needs an expensive ruffling foot when you've got your fingers???

Pin your ruffle down to your shirt where you want it to go and slowly stitch it in place. You will wind it from the outside in forming a flower shape. This gets super thick under your machine, so be careful!

Ruffle the stem fabric the same way, and stitch it down to your shirt. Now throw it on your kiddo and enjoy your craftiness!!

Want to hear the corniest thing ever??? I wanted to put the flower on the left side of Gray's shirt so she could have a piece of her Daddy close to her heart when she wears it. I know...I make myself tear up just thinking about it.
This project isn't just for the little ones. Embellish your own tanks and tees with similar techniques!

I've been working on a super crazy project for a while now, and here's a little sneak peak of what it will be. Any guesses????

10 comments:

  1. Hi - am visiting via Friday Frog Blog Hop!

    Am your newest Follower :o)
    Nice to meet you!

    Love the tank t- great idea for the 4th, too!

    Happy Sunday-
    Linda

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  2. Thanks Linda! It didn't even occur to me that it's red! It will be perfect for the 4th next weekend. Thanks for visiting.

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  3. Stopping by through today's blog hop -- this is sooo cute! What a great idea ... I always wondered how those little fabric flowers were made !!

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  4. Lovely embellishment! I'm a fan of anything ruffly!! :)

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  5. I love this fabulous transformation, great job on the creativity too.

    I am your newest follower, and I would like to invite you to the Follow Us Monday Morning blog hop at Frugality Is Free.

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  6. hi, new follower from voice boks. would love for you to visit my blog and follow back if you like.

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  7. this is so cute! i definitely have to try it soon. i have a whole drawer full of tank tops waiting to be embellished :) anyways i found you through boost my blog friday and i'm a new follower! i hope you will check out my blog as well and let me know what you think!

    xoxo Lindsay from http://lindsayelizabethm.blogspot.com

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  8. Oh My Goodness! How adorable! I am so glad I found your blog! I have an etsy shop too! Visiting and now following via Totally Tuesday Blog Hop...hop on over to my blog and follow back if you like it! http://mom4realky.blogspot.com

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  9. Ok, this blog is seriously going to become one of my new favorites! I love it.

    Thanks for stopping by and following me through the blog hop! And, if you ever want a review done on your etsy shop, please contact me! Your stuff is absolutely adorable!!!!

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  10. I'm going to give this a try, although I'm not too crafty!

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