You know we all do it. We wait until the last minute and end up having to go out and buy a gift because we waited too long to make the handmade gift we really wanted to give to that special friend or family member.
Yep. Been there. Done that.
But I'm here to tell ya, this is a simple and oh-so-fabulous gift that you can make in just a short time that is as good - oh wait, even BETTER - than any store bought purchase. It's lovely, comfy and HANDMADE!!!! Oh and did I mention inexpensive?! You could seriously make a ton of these for just a few dollars.
All it takes is a t-shirt - used or new, thrifted or straight from your closet - scissors, and some thread.
"Whoohooo!! Bring it on, " you say?!
I hear ya!
Let me tell ya though. I rarely make anything - projects, recipes, etc. - and follow certain directions. I just kind of jump in and go with it. So that's how my instructions will be posted. They may not be total perfection but they'll get the job done.
First things first. Grab a t-shirt. One that's too small, too big, in your giveaway pile or one you've picked up at the thrift store. But choose one in a great color you'd love to wear around your neck.
Now you'll cut a few strips off the bottom of the t-shirt. I cut two 6" strips out of the bottom of this shirt so I ended up with two loops of t-shirt. Then I cut one side of each loop to make two long strips of t-shirt fabric. Now you'll sew the two strips together at the ends to make one super long strip of fabric.
Once I had my strip ready to go, I folded the strip into thirds to get an idea of where I wanted to sew the stitching. Then I placed a piece of masking tape on the sewing machine as my guide to help me keep my stitching straight. Because see...this was the first time I've sewn since my 7th grade Home Ec. Class. Wow!! I needed every little bit of help I could get. I sewed two seams down the fabric, using a basting stitch. I'm sure there are a million and one different ways to do this easier but this is what worked for me. I set the stitch length long and the tension low. I think maybe if I'd had it on a higher tension, it would've gathered and ruffled more on its own. But this is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Once I had my basting stitch finished on each 1/3 section, I pulled the thread gently to gather and create the ruffles. This was probably the most time consuming part of the project but easy, nonetheless.
When I had it gathered just the way I liked it, I went back over the seams with a straight stitch to hold the ruffles in place. And TA-DA...
Seriously, if I can do this, YOU TOTALLY CAN!!!!!
Now I'm going to dig through every giveaway bag of shirts and dig around in my closet for some more fun fabrics to repurpose! Can you image doing this with an old sweater?! Whoohoo!! Next project, HERE I COME!
Happy gifting!
Frames from Kitschy Digitals.
rebekah! i love this!!! what a fabulous idea! :) i know what i'll be attempting this weekend!!
Posted by: e mudge | December 14, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Love the scarf - really pretty!
Posted by: Erica | December 14, 2010 at 08:32 AM
love this!!!
Posted by: Kristy | December 14, 2010 at 09:31 AM
very cool
Posted by: marcy penner | December 14, 2010 at 11:26 AM
what a beautiful and great idea!
Posted by: Beth Perry | December 14, 2010 at 11:38 AM
i knew this had to be fairly simple even for a beginner like me, but thanks for breaking it down! i'm gonna try to make one this week. so cute!
Posted by: amy | December 14, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Pretty, pretty...I can't wait to try this!! And I love, love, love the digital frames..what a great way to add to your post with such a vintage design.
Posted by: Carla Grace | December 14, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Adorable! I love it... nicely done!
Posted by: Haley Mounts | December 16, 2010 at 03:41 PM
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! THIS IS FREAKING AMAZING!!! IF I KNEW HOW TO RUN A SEWING MACHINE I'D MAKE ONE RIGHT THIS SECOND. :D
P.S. YOU LOOK GORGEOUS AND SUPER COOL IN THAT PHOTO! :)
Posted by: cheryl | December 18, 2010 at 01:20 AM