Day Four

I really like the way today's project came out.  That's the great thing about t-shirts.  With such a stack to work with, I don't really care if something turns out or not, so I can try some really fun things.

For Day Four of "t-shirt week", I made this long sleeve tee into a ruffled vest.

It was much simpler than it looks.

First, try the shirt on a dummy (or a friend!) and mark where you want the new side seams to be.  You want a very curvy line.  For mine, I also reversed the shirt, front to back, so I put in new shoulder seams as well.

 Now, lay the shirt flat and cut your new side seams and cut off the sleeves, being sure to cut both sides the same.  Also cut a line straight up the middle of the front.  Trace a line, curving from the neckline down to the side seam and cut along that too.

Fold the back piece in half and make sure the sides are symmetrical.  Trim off the collar and a gently rounded curve at the bottom hem.

Place the two front pieces together, and do the same - make sure the sides are the same, cut off the collar, rounding it into your curve, and copy the front curve onto the other side.

Sew up the sides (and the new shoulders, if you cut them too.) and trim the bottom curve to be sure it flows smoothly.   Now would also be a good time to try it on again and be sure the arm holes are okay. 

Cut the sleeves into 2" strips and sew them together, end to end.

Trim the seam allowances close to the seam lines.

Ruffle and 2" strip and attach them all around the front, across the back, and around the neckline.

Go wear it!  

Or try it with a belt.  I like it both ways...