A comfortable T-shirt is the wardrobe piece you usually reach for when you are heading out the door to a casual event or just lounging around the house. But you can reinvent an ordinary T-shirt to a more playful, stylish version by simply adding a ruffle to the neckline.
Things You'll Need
58-by-7-inch piece of lightweight fabric
Sharp scissors
Measuring tape
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine with a universal 90/14 needle
Pins
Step 1:
Use sharp scissors to cut the collar off of the T-shirt.
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Step 2:
Measure and cut a 58-by-7-inch piece of lightweight fabric to use for the ruffle.
Fold under 1/4 inch to the wrong side on the long edge of the ruffle fabric and press with a hot iron. Fold over another 1/4 inch and press again.
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Step 3:
Use a medium stitch length and a 90/14 universal needle to sew along the folded edge to create a hem for the ruffle.
Step 4:
Fold the ruffle fabric in half widthwise with the right sides together. Pin and sew a seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance along the short edge.
Step 5:
Change your sewing machine to the longest stitch length.
Step 6:
Sew a basting stitch that is 1/2 inch in along the long raw edge of the ruffle.
Step 7:
Use a marking pen or pins to mark the sides and the center front and back of the ruffle fabric.
Step 8:
Pull on one thread of the basting stitch to gather the ruffle slightly.
Step 9:
Place the ruffle inside the T-shirt with the raw edges together and the right side of the ruffle against the wrong side of the T-shirt. Match the sides of the ruffle to the shoulder seams and pin in place. Match the center fronts and backs of the ruffle and T-shirt and pin in place. Adjust the gathering to fit the rest of the ruffle on the neckline of the T-shirt and pin in place. Sew in place with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew.
Step 10:
Flip the ruffle to the outside of the T-shirt and press the seam with a hot iron. Top stitch close to the fold to create a more finished look.
Wear your new ruffle T-shirt on both shoulders with jeans for a casual daytime look.
Or wear it off one shoulder with a skirt for an evening look.
