These floral shirts caught my eye on the Target clearance rack! I thought the floral print and colors were so pretty! Then I shifted the hangers over so I could get a better view and of course, the front was covered with some silly saying inspired by Savage Garden I am guessing! I love Savage Garden as much as the next 90s teeny bopper…but I don’t really want to wear a shirt that says “I <3 u truly madly deeply”. Not now anyways, I think the 5th grade me would have been ALL OVER this shirt.
But I just couldn’t leave these floral beauties on that rack. So I bought 2, 1 to wear and 1 for fabric. I actually made this one for a friend. I bought one in her size and then the biggest one I could find to make the little bows with. The XXL is the same price but you get more fabric. (We all need more fabric!)
I covered all the words with cute little bows that resemble ruffles. This project could really work for any shirt with a silly saying on it! Here’s how to do this simple t shirt refashion!
First, buy two shirts and prewash them:
(optional step: Pump up the SG on YouTube while you work!)
Now cut up your extra shirt into little 2″ by 3″ rectangles. You will also need strips of fabric 1/2″ wide. I used about 40 little bows, so cut lots of rectangles. In the middle of each rectangle, run a baste stitch and pull it to gather the middle. Then wrap your strip around the bow. Pinch it in the back.
Now pin each bow onto the front of your other shirt. Make sure you only pin through the top of the shirt.
Keep pinning bows all over until you can’t read the words anymore.
Then use a zig zag stitch to sew each bow onto your shirt. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and ends of your stitching so they stay on better. Once you sew on a bunch, you might notice more spots that need filling so keep adding bows until you are satisfied.
And you’re done !
Patty
Really cute idea! Thanks for sharing. Your model is gorgeous!
sewamysew
Such a great refashion!! Most people would just throw it out. Love it!
Stephanie
That’s awesome. I looked at that shirt and loved the pattern, not the words. But it was so much that I didn’t know what to do with it. If it’s still there I’ll get two! :)
Jess
Wow! That’s genius!! I love this tutorial – thanks for sharing!
Rachel
I hate that moment, when you think this is cute slide it over, BAM, really lame saying. Cute refashion.
Erin Keith
Great idea! The amount of times that I see a cute top and then turn it around to see a “not quite me” saying on the front, sheesh. And I laughed out loud at the mention of Savage Garden!! Oh man, those were the days.
Well done friend! :)
Whitney Clark (@JanaeToday)
I LOVE this! Great idea!! Super cute!!! Now I want to try that!!
Susan @SugarBeans
Kate,
I love this!! It looks like ruffles, so the bows are a pleasant surprise! thanks for the tutorial.