Tag Archives: Tutorial

Tutorial: Ruffle Collared T-shirt

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Ruffles! Ruffles! Ruffles! I love ‘em! Whether it be on tops, skirts, belts, headbands or other accessories, they add a bit of whimsy and romance to any outfit. Here is just one simple way you can embellish a t-shirt with a ruffle of your own.

Supplies: t-shirt * needle & thread * fabric for ruffle * scissors * tape measure * sewing machine (not pictured)

Instructions:

1.    If you’re using a standard t-shirt like the one pictured in the image above, feel free to cut the ribbed part of the collar off to make it a bit more loose. But it’s totally up to you. You could also use a shade shirt or even a tank top for this tutorial. If you do cut the collar, you can certainly hem it under so the raw edge is held more securely in place. I did not do so because I like the raw t-shirt edge. Again, it’s totally up to you!

2. Measure the full length around the collar of your t-shirt. Double the length of the collar and this will be the length of the ruffle fabric strip you cut.

3.    Decide how wide you want your ruffle to be. Multiply by two and add a ½ inch. This will be the width of the ruffle fabric strip you cut.
4.    Now that you have your width and length, cut your strip of ruffle fabric. (Mine was 60″ x 3 1/2″ … but don’t worry about being exact.)

4.    Fold the ruffle strip length-wide with right sides of fabric facing each other.
5.    Sew along long edge using a ¼ inch seam and press open.
6.    Turn right-side-out. You will now have something that looks like a tube.
7.    Fold each open (raw) end of ruffle fabric towards the inside of the “ruffle tube” and press in place.

8.    Using a running stitch, use your needle and thread to sew the entire length of the ruffle. Gather as you go.


9.    Pin ruffle to t-shirt collar.
10.    Sew in place with sewing machine. Once the ruffle is attached, remove your running stitch. You can usually just pull it right out, but if it gets stuck a seam ripper will be your best friend.
11.    All Done! Enjoy your ruffled collar t-shirt. (If you do make one … take a picture and send it to me. I’d really love to see what you create!)
Variations:

  • You could also add a ruffle to the bottom of the t-shirt around the hip area, or even to the sleeves.
  • Instead of sewing the ruffle around the collar, pin it in swirls around the shoulder/chest area on one side of the shirt.

Other ruffled projects: Click Here for the Ruffle Cuff Bracelet Tutorial

p.s. Welcome! Welcome! to any new visitors from the Good Things Utah site! I’m so glad you stopped by.

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Tutorial: Ruffle Cuff Bracelet

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Ruffled bracelets are popping up everywhere! I think they are going to be a popular Spring fashion trend. Enjoy this easy tutorial and make your own.

Supplies: bracelet cuff (found at most craft stores) * scissors * needle and thread * base fabric * ruffle fabric * fabric glue (I use Beacon Adhesive)

1. Measure the length of the cuff, add 1/2″. Then decide how wide you want the cuff to be. Cut 2 pieces of base fabric based on those measurements. My cuff was 7 inches long and I decided on a base of about 7.5″ x 1.5″.

2. Multiply the length of the cuff by 3 or 4 (depending on how full you want the ruffle) and cut ruffle fabric. Width is your choice. Cut three strips of ruffle fabric. Mine were 24″ x 1″.

3. Take one of the ruffle strips and baste along one edge. Gather fabric into a ruffle.

4. Even out your ruffle along one of the length edges of your base fabric. Pin to secure and sew in place with minimal seam.

5. Repeat step 4 on opposite side of base fabric.

6. With the last ruffle you will actually baste down the middle of the strip (rather than the edge). Pin and sew to the middle of your base. Trim long edge if needed so that the under ruffles show.

7. Center bracelet to the underside of your base. Glue in place (along entire length of cuff) with fabric adhesive.

8. The outside of your bracelet will look like this:

9. The inside will look like this:

10. “Finish” the inside by gluing your second piece of base fabric (or piece of ribbon) .

11. All done! Although I think I’m going to look for a string of vintage rhinestones or pearls to glue to the center just to give it a little more interest and sparkle.

Tips and Variations:

  • I personally love the unfinished/frayed edges on this cuff, but if that’s not your style, simply double the width of your ruffle strips, fold lengthwise, sew along long edge, turn right-side-out and iron flat.
  • You could also use ruffled lace instead of fabric and bypass the basting all together.
  • Instead of using one color of a single type of fabric for all three ruffles, mix it up. Mismatch colors and fabric types for an eclectic piece of jewelry.

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Tutorial: No-Knit Cable Bangle

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Is it just me, or have you seen a lot of knitted bangles around blog-land? Even cJane has a lovely collection, and who doesn’t love cJane’s fashion sense? But what if you don’t knit? Well, if you have an old sweater, this tutorial is your answer.

Supplies: 1 old sweater (preferrably with a cable pattern) * scissors * sewing machine *fabric glue (optional)

1. Measure your wrist. Decide how wide you want your bangle and how loose you want it to hang (keep in mind that knit yarn stretches. Cut fabric based on these measurements. I cut mine 8″ x 4″.

2. Fold length-wise with right sides together. Sew along long edge. Turn right-side-out. You will end up with a tubular piece that looks like this:

3. Fold one end in on itself about 1/2″ to 1″. Insert other end into folded end. Should look like this:

4. Sew (or glue) shut.

5. Voila!

(Please forgive the changing pink color in each picture. I was quickly losing daylight. And uh … pay no mind to my alien arm in that last picture. Taking a self portrait of  your wrist is harder than it seems.)

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Craft Tutorial: Valentine Garlands

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I used to not like Valentine’s Day. But I think I didn’t like it because I thought I wasn’t supposed to since I’ve always been single on Valentine’s Day. But that’s just ridiculous. Who doesn’t love love? Even if you are single. So now I wholly embrace the day, the decorations, and the candy. Oh my gosh I love Valentine’s candy. It’s seriously the best holiday candy ever with all the cherry sours, cinnamon lips, chewy cherry hearts, strawberry jelly-beans & candy corns. Oh mercy. Have I told you that I’m off sugar as of two weeks ago? Yeah. Note to self: don’t go off sugar right before Valentine’s Day.

So anyhow, to kick off the countdown to the day of LOVE, I thought I’d share a simple craft tutorial for a couple of Valentine Garlands.

They’re sweet and simple to make and are a LOVEly addition to your decorations. All you need is an assortment of felt in your desired colors, scissors, and a sewing machine.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut out circles of all sizes from your felt. I chose a light pink, hot pink, and white, and I cut my circles anywhere from a 1/2 inch to 2 inches. If you were going to make this “jumbo” size, I’d cut your circles anywhere from 3 to 5 inches.

2. Lay out your circles in a line, alternating colors to create a pattern. Mix up your sizes to create more visual interest.

3. Sew them together. Like ducks in a row, one right after the other.

4. Keep sewing until you’ve reached your desired length. And then you’re done! Easy peasy right?! Now decorate! These look darling strung from just about anything. Lampshades, mirrors, across the piano, curtain rods, banisters …

You can also change it up and instead of circles, do hearts. For this garland, I used cranberry and cream felts.

Or you could do jumbo-sized hearts…

It’s really up to you. Happy sewing!

Oh, and come back at 1:00 p.m. MST today when I’ll have news on this month’s give-away.

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If you love these garlands, but don’t want to make your own, I have a few up for sale in the shop.

Pink polka-dot garland here (This one would also look cute in a little girls room all year round.)

Small red heart garland here

Large red heart garland here