One lucky tshirt will win a free cardigan enhancement
I love a red striped anything. Must stem from a life long fascination with barbershop signs. Packing for a recent trip, I needed a light cardigan and this sweet long sleeved T was longing for acceptance. Scissors and risk taking are probably my 2 best friends! People who sew don’t need all my instructions but for those of you who are new at it, I hope this makes sense.
You might remember a cardigan enhancement from the early days of the Pixie. Like from the 2nd week. View it HERE. This starts out the same. Straighten out the shirt and determine where the middle is. This is the hardest part cuz if you cut a line down the front that isn’t straight, you now have a whole new design element. Tshirts are tricky cuz they don’t always hang straight. You can’t rely on just lining up the side seams to find center. So…be patient with this step.
OK. A crossroads. I have a few of these T cardigans that I’ve just cut. Wear them all the time. This one hung kind of long and I thought it would look cool with some sort of finish. If you chose to continue. Sew a casing along each side of the front. Just turn the fabric under and sew. I did about a 1/4 inch for this project. You may want to iron or pin it down first. I’m a shoot from the hip sorta girl so I just go for it. I’m also not a perfectionist so I get away with it.
I went digging in drawers til I found this shoe lace to use as the drawstring. Cut the string in half so you have one for each side. It’s just like replacing a drawstring in a hoodie. Use a safety pin on one end and tie a knot in the other.
Go in from the bottom of your cardigan casing so the cut end of the lace will end up at the top.
Take off the safety pin and pull the cut end just barely inside of the casing and sew back and forth across it a couple times to secure it in place.
Done! You decide how long you want the drawstring. I’m leaving mine just a bit shorter than the cardigan so I can wear long or cinch up.
You know the other great thing about tshirt cardies? I don’t wear sunscreen so I am always covered up. This is so light, it doubles as a scarf to cover my neck. You might spot it in some of my travel photos. HERE‘s one.
When it comes to clothes, you really only have to remember 2 things. Scissors and risk taking. Go!!
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! – I love it!!! I poke through your posts, and my “I MUST try this” list grows.
Really nice blog, the great pics makes me smile! Keep up the good work. And thanks for a great idea in this post! :)
Oh thanks and you are welcome!! Glad to hear you are digging what I put on here. It’s so fun!!! Have a great weekend. kimi.
Nice! I love DIY, it’s always so satisfying!
Oh ya! Thanks for stopping by!! kimi.
Love it! It looks way much better as a cardigan, seriously! Plus, red and black are timeless! Great post!
Oops, maybe it’s navy! But it’s still a winner match
:)
That’s right….you totally get it!!! THANKS! kimi.
Pretty Bride Shop has nominated your blog for the One Lovely Blog awards! If you would like to accept the nomination click her for instructions.http://prettybrideshop.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/one-lovely-blog-award/
THANK you!!! kimi.
OH Kimi how I miss hangin with you. Always so carefree. So glad we became friends and have stayed friends. Your blog lightens my day. My life isn’t as carefree as yours seems to be, and you just plain make me happy! Love you! Holly
WOW…What a great little note!!! Holly, you are easy to love….always were!! I’m carefree all the time except for when I’m not! :) I only post the good stuff! Ha! kimi.
so clever!
Thanks! It’s all about the sleeves. Love long sleeves but not long sleeved T’s. Problem solved!!! haha..kimi.
How fun Kimi, it’s all about the Stripes…. we gotta do a locker box inspection.
HaHAHA..How do you come up with this stuff, Francis???
love it! we have to go thrifting someday! :)
Well, get your hot little buns over here!!!!!!!
hahaha! i am going to LA before the year ends :)
I love how I learn something new about you every time I read your blog. Red stripes? I had no idea! Love it Kimi!
Hahaha….that’s what Gugut always says to me. I’ve been told I’m an enigma….what ever the heck that means. LOVE you!!!! k.
Hey, I enjoy your blog and its really amazing, so I wanted to nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Here is the link to the nomination. Do follow it.
http://saunved.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
WOW….thanks! I appreciate getting these awards! So cool to see so many people enjoying what I do!! Thanks so much for writing! kimi.
You are welcome! Its a pleasure
Super-cute! I love how it turned out. And, risk taking wouldn’t be as painful with a good thrifted tee! ;)
Oh, I’ve ruined many a great shirt! Looka t the about kimi page to see what I did with my Morrissey T. THAT was a little scarey. I cut off the sleeves and added new ones cuz the shirt was kinda boxy and buggy. Ha! Have a great day, BEE! kimi.
wow I love your blog your brilliant! xxx Cat
THANKS!!! I LOVE doing it! Having more fun than I though possible! Glad to see who’e out there, thanks for writing! kimi.