Monday 20 February 2012

Project Recycle ~ Week 3 Entry...

Voting is over for Round 3 of Project Recycle, so now I can show you my entry. The brief was to make something from t-shirts.

Week 3 ~ Project Recycle...


I began with this pile of old t-shirts, but ended up not using the yellow t-shirt. All three garments I used had been women's t-shirts.

First up was to alter the neck line to suit a little girl.

Secondly, the t-shirt needed to be recut to a much smaller size. I used a child's t-shirt as a guide.
  • Cut off the sleeves.
  • Cut new armholes.
  • Take width from the sides.
  • Shorten the sleeves.
  • Reattach the new sleeves.
  • Finish the bottom of the sleeve with a band.

I used this pattern as a size guide for cutting the strips for the skirt. I tried attaching a strip at the bottom, as in the pattern, but it didn't work. I used yellow for the strip and as the colours didn't work together, I unpicked the bottom strip. Unpicking a thread on stretch fabric is not fun! As I didn't have any t-shirts in a suitable colour, I decided to make the outfit without the strip at the bottom, making it a top rather than a dress.

Gathering and attaching the skirt, should have been a quick process, but in reality it wasn't. The floral t-shirt and the green t-shirt were made from different types of stretch fabric. I think you would call the floral one a jersey. The green fabric was much thicker. Getting the gathers even was not easy, however, in the end it all turned out fine.
  • Join the eight strips to form the skirt.
  • Hem.
  • Gather the top of the skirt.
  • Attach to the black t-shirt.

And to finish off, I used a black tie that was originally on the floral t-shirt. I used this tutorial to make the fabric flower. Originally, I wasn't happy with the flower, as it turned out much larger and bulkier than the original, because I had made it from t-shirting, rather than a cotton fabric. However, when I added the extra green circle, plus the large button, it worked well and I think suits the style of top.
  • Make a fabric flower.
  • Sew it to the black tie.
  • Make tabs to hold the belt.


front view...

back view...

There you have it, three old t-shirts turned into a little girl's top, ready to be worn with a pair of black leggings. Funnily enough, it also looks good with a pair of blue denim jeans worn underneath.

Voting has begun for Round Four and I've made it through. Again, I can't tell you which one is mine. Head on over, take a look and vote for your favourite.


... Pam

Don't forget to check out our ongoing themed link parties at  Threading YOUR Way with Threading My Way.

26 comments:

  1. Congratulations on making it through to the next round, your dress is lovely and the flower really finishes it off. Good luck with Round 4 I am off to vote!

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  2. That looks so cute! I am always blown away by your creations.. but this may just be my favourite yet!

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  3. That is too cute! You did an amazing job recycling!!!!

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  4. Dress is simple amazing! Beautiful. And flower turned out really nice. Hope that you don't mind if I mention it on my place :) I like what you've done.

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  5. Very cute!! I love the colors, great idea for my granddaughters.
    Cindy

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  6. What a great use of old t-shirts! I love the flower...gives it that sweet little girl look!

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  7. I thought that was yours! Congrats on making it through another week. I voted for this round and am pretty sure I pegged your entry again. :)

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  8. I love checking out these recycle projects of yours - amazing. I think I like this top better than if it was a dress. It's seems sassier in a very sweet way. Love it.

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  9. Congratulations on moving to the next round, Pam!! I am heading over to vote now. :)

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  10. Congrats! That's the dress I had voted for too! :) Off to see what's up next!

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  11. Love this dress Pam. Without the explaination of how you recycled the tops I would have thought it was made from scratch. Great job :)

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  12. That is way too cute! I love the little flower and the bow!

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  13. This is adorable! Love love love it! I just might have to use this idea to make some cute Easter dresses for my girls this year. I just wish I had the hindsight to pick some coordinating shirts at the thrift store that would look this good! You did an awesome job!

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  14. It's beautiful! It so transcends the original 3 t-shirts!

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  15. Great job! This is so much cheaper than buying fabric.

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  16. Congrats Pam - that top is just fabulous!! I'm off to vote again!


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

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  17. This is so adorable. I am going to try this.

    I'd love for you to share these at our linky party.
    ~Jenn

    http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/02/riverton-houseswives-round-up-5.html

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  18. I like the way you did the neckline- that was a neat idea. Happy to have you at Things I've Done Thursday!! www.bearrabbitbear.com

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  19. Too cute!
    http://favoritelittleprincess.blogspot.com/

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  20. WOW! Pam, this is incredible how you recycled these into this beautiful dress! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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  21. SOOOOO cute Pam!! I love the flower you added. What a great up-cycle. Thanks for sharing with us this week!

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  22. Wow! Amazing! I never would have guessed that it was from recycled shirts!

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  23. This is just gorgeous

    Thanks for linking up to Serenity Saturday!
    Can't wait to see what you link up this weekend

    Natasha xx

    www.serenityyou.blogspot.com

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  24. Wow! This is absolutely gorgeous!! You are so talented!

    - Adele @ Mammy Made

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