T-shirt Refashion into Ruffle Madness
July 30, 2009 8:25 pmI wanted to do a new tutorial and thought I’d use a jersey T for this one since I’ve used cottons for most of my other ones.
I took this vintagey looking t-shirt that was in my little sister’s giveaway pile. 
Then I cut off the sleeves.
Next, mark your new neckline, however you want it. Then cut the neckline out.
Then cut those sleeves in half. So you’ll have four strips at this point.
What I did next was connected the two arms pieces. Just fit them together and sew them together.
Here’s what it looks like after you sew them together.
Then sew all the strips together to make one long strip.
Now it’s time to ruffle. If I had to name my blog all over again, it would include the word ‘ruffle’. It’s one of my favroite things to do 
SO… set your tension to the highest number it will go, then set your stitch length to the longest stitch your machine will go, then away you go! Here’s what you’ll get- one long, lovely ruffle piece.
Now get your shirt ready and find the center of your ruffle piece.
Center it to the middle of your shirt and pin it in place.
Work your way all around the neckline and pin the ruffle to the top of the shirt’s neckline.
Here’s how it turned out!
Here’s Ava trying to bite/kiss me.
Here’s the back…
“Run to me!!”
Arms full of love.
I hope everyone has a beautiful day, full of love and life
Tags: jersey, knit, ruffle, shirt, tank top
Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 67 Comments »
67 Responses
to “T-shirt Refashion into Ruffle Madness”
1 Trackback(s)
- Apr 22, 2010: T-shirt Upcycling-Repurposing META POST « Spiral Owl’s Create-it Blog
By Melinda on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Wow, you have so many creative ideas – I absolutely love this and can't wait to try it out for myself.
By alexkeller on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
oh this is awesome! i haven't made a thing in years, but i might have to just try this one – thanks!
By Your cool friend Cheryl on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
You did such a good job you should make one for me!
By David on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Oh my gosh! This is soooo cute! I immediately dug through my dresser to find an old t-shirt to cut apart! I made it ASAP and it turned out so cute! Thanks for the awesome tutorials!
By Leah on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Oops, "David" was supposed to be "leah", apparently my husband was signed in! Ignore that! Sorry!
By Ashley on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Love it! You are the perfect model too! Can't wait to see your pattern! I finally just finished one of mine…..just waiting on a couple testers to get back to me!
By Karin on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
That shirt turned out really cute, Alexis. And that last picture of you and your little girl is lovely!
By tini-uk on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Wow, you are so creative. It looks fantastic and what I like about your tutorials is, that they are so quick to do and easy to follow, ideal when you have little ones around. Thank you, thank you. I was going to put the sewing machine away because we are going away for three weeks but I might have to make this shirt first (cleaning can wait!).
By Miss Peregrin on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
That turned out really nicely! Hehe, it's being added to my "To Do" list of projects. Yay for tutorials!
By Lyanna on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Oh goodness that is cute!!!
By Georgine on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
I am a novice, so excuse my stupidity. Jersey is different than the cotton of a regular tee? In my mind I can see the difference – maybe. Would I be able to do this with a regular cotton tee? You really did a remarkable job. It is very J. Crew meets Anthropologie. Thanks for any advice!
By Julie Bouésso on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Who are you, G*d?!
Tres bon – have to try myself as well! Cheers, Julie
By Connie Harbor on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
I love seeing your creative and clever projects; but I have been dying to know…
Where in the world did you find that amazing bedspread/duvet cover (whatever it is) that is the background for some of your photos???
By Cassandra on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
I love love love dolled up t-shirts. And ruffles are my weakness! It's gorgeous!
By michellejohnnie on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Another gorgeous one! I'm linkin at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button!
By Laura Gerencser on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Looks fantastic and really easy!!
By Erin on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Really cute!!
By Abby on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
i love this! i am really into ruffles right now too
probably thanks to your blog!
By Alexis on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
WOw, thanks gals!!
Ashley- I'll have to email you for any pattern making tips!
Georgine- Most T's are all cotton. I just meant most of my shirt are made from a cottom men's shirt or just plain cotton fabric, not stretchy jersey. ANy t-shirt would work great. Sorry for the confusion.
Connie- Isn't my duvet beautiful? (id I do say so myself) It's DKNY from the pure snow collection. It's a few years old, so ebay may have it at this point.
Glad you all like this one!
By Julie, Little One-of-a-Kind Design on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
so cute! it is so rainy here so this might be today's project! did you finish the arm holes?
By marisa on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Love it! Ok kinda embarassed to ask this but I'm soo new to sewing. Is this the same ruffle that people sometimes do when they pull the bottom thread and make a ruffle? LOL! I know! I'm new though
Thnks!!
By Alexis on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Julie, You don't need to finish the arm holes because it's jersey! It's awesome!
Marisa- Yes, it's exactly the same. There are no such thing as silly questions!!
By luvinthemommyhood on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Turned out great!
By Melinda H. on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Easy and super cute!
By Georgine on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Alexis,
Thanks so much for the response. I cannot wait to try this – I may do a version for my daughter first, for a little practice. Thanks Again!
By Krull Family on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
Wow! This is adorable, and you are quite possibly one of the cutest mommies I've ever seen too! I'm digging through my drawers right now!
By dana on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
lovely lovely LOVELY!
By casserole on Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
This is so cool! I want to make one NOW!
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ruffle-tank-from-long-sleeved-tee/2009/07/31/
–Anne
By Macknicki Family on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
awesome shirt. I pulled and old shirt out and tried to make one myself. I'm a novice sewer so I was wondering about the ruffle part. Do I set both dials to the largest numbers? Did your piece ruffle automatically while sewing did you pull the thread to ruffle it? It seems when I sew it's not ruffling on it's own. Obviously I'm doing something wrong…Please help:0)
By Alexis on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
Macknicki- It should ruffle automaticaly when you set the dials to the largest numbers. If not, you can do it the way by hand, it just takes a lot longer. I wish I was there to help do it!
By Anonymous on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
Alexis,
Did you finish the arm holes (hem them) or leave them unfinished? I can't tell from the pics. Thanks a bunch.
Courtney
By Alexis on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
I didn't finish the armholes. I normally finish all my opening, I just didn't think this shirt needed it. If I were to finish it, I would take some of the scrap fabric and create hem tape to do it.
By Anonymous on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
I just have one more question, how exactly do you use hem tape? I bought some and couldn't figure it out. I totally know how to use bias tape but not the hem tape.
Thanks again,
Courtney
By Embellished Bayou on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
Another favorite, love it!!!!!
By Rachel on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
I love this, just gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing, I'll be linking.
By Judy on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
That is adorable! I'm a very very beginner sewer. Is it beyond my ability? Thanks
By Julie on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Very cute! I have been eting similar tops and thinking they would be possible to make. Just might have to try this. Cool to know that setting both idals to highest number should make the ruffle automaticially!
By Beth- the mama bee on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
love it! I will be doing that soon!
By Alexis on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Judy, i think this one should be accomplishable for your skill level! Give it a try and see what happens
By Nerissa Alford on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for sharing this awesome tutorial with us!
Nerissa
By Stash on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Very cute!
By Floralshowers Craft Blog on Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
You have serious refashion ruffle talent! I've bookmarked a couple of your projects already on my craft to do list.
By Christy on Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Hey I have that same shirt. Maybe I will give this a try!
By Michelle on Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for such an inspiring blog with great tutorials! I am definitely going to try this project soon – I LOVE the ruffles, and I, too, have some long-sleeved shirts in my refashion pile. Thanks for taking the time to post your projects!
By Jen Ell on Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
This will be featured on my blog
http://jenellsrevenge.blogspot.com
on the 13th.
Thanks,
Jen
By tattoo2body on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
View Zoo York t-shirt and clothing Shop Cheap Sale at zoo york t-shirts cheap clothing
By tattoo2body on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
miami ink t-shirt lowest price miami ink t-shirt
By Angie on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
I finally had time to try this. It turned out so cute! Thanks so much for the tutorial.
By The Claybornes on Sep 3, 2009 | Reply
love love love this! def going to try it
By Dana on Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
I am absolutely over the moon with this tutorial. I DID IT! I can't believe it! I am stupid happy! My first reconstruction! Woohooooo. I can't stop smiling. I want to hang it on the refrigerator for everyone to see! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
By Genki on Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
That is such a cute top, I love ruffles, and the colour is gorgeous. thanks for sharing the tutorial.
By Julie on Oct 24, 2009 | Reply
What a clever idea, it looks so good.
By Triplet Mami on Oct 24, 2009 | Reply
I love the vintage-y feel of it. Too cute!
By Branded USB Sticks on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Love the way you have presented these beautiful shirts, Keep it up, Beautiful designs, Would like to appreciate the designers.
By Soccer Uniforms on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Really you have done a great job, Keep it up. Thanks for sharing with us.
By Rook No. 17 on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply
No way! That's too incredibly cool! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm definitely going to try this! So glad to have found you through Grosgrain!
Regards, Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com
By Replica Watches on Nov 1, 2009 | Reply
Beautiful idea, Attractive one.
By Natalia on Jan 25, 2010 | Reply
This is a fabulous tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to link to it on my blog http://sewwhattoday.blogspot.com
By Irmhild on Feb 6, 2010 | Reply
oh that looks really cool! i have a bag ful of giveaway clothes, i must go through it again… but i’m nearly sure it’s all short sleeve Tees…
By chrsity on Mar 28, 2010 | Reply
Does anyone else have a problem making the ruffle? Maybe my machine does not have a high enough tension setting but my ruffles look nothing like this. Any ideas on what to do?
By Michelle on Apr 16, 2010 | Reply
Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing – I’ll try to make it!
By Katie on Apr 25, 2010 | Reply
I love this! I just bought two $1 shirts at walmart and I’m going to try this. But I’ve never done anything like it before and my shirts are cotton. Does that mean I’ll need to hem it somehow? That kind of scares me.
By Tere Lauritsen on May 9, 2010 | Reply
Love it! I will be trying this very soon!
By Kudzu on May 24, 2010 | Reply
wow, you’ve made some incredible refashions; i’ve bookmarked so many ideas to use on the tons of men, women and children’s clothes that i’ve gotten free, and some at a thrift shop .10 cent sale. when i finish i’ll post to let you know.
thanks! and thanks for sharing!
kudzu
By Queen on Jul 14, 2010 | Reply
wow..awesome..i love it!!!really want to try it too..thanks for this pretty idea..:)
By Carlee Potter on Aug 26, 2010 | Reply
Cool. I like your work. I’m wondering if you’ve ever re-fashioned a business shirt for the purpose of keeping it as a wearable business shirt; only a bit more stylish/alternative? I’m very keenly attempting to search ideas on how I might do this.
I have all these women’s business shirts – standard, long-sleeve, collared shirts – but I’ve recently shifted to a new industry/job in which I can wear funkier (less corporate) clothing. I don’t want my 10-or-so collared business shirts to go to waste. I’m hoping to “style” them up somehow.
Would LOVE any ideas or links… thanks!