Tuesday, August 2, 2011

T Shirt to Cardigan

Have you ever noticed that when you are looking for something specific it is no where to be found? I have been on the hunt for a basic cardigan/zip up hoodie to wear home from the hospital and those early nursing days. And do you think that I could find one in town that met my criteria? (Okay, maybe I didn't go to every store, but I hit all of the obvious choices.) It was time I took matters into my own hands. I purchased a basic v-neck shirt in XL and went to the sewing machine.
It was very easy and I am thinking this is just the start of my t-shirt to cardigan refashioning days. Here is a quick tutorial so that you can make your own as well.
T-Shirt to Cardigan Tutorial
1. Cut your shirt in half down the center front.
2. Sew ribbon along each edge on the right side of the t-shirt. (I used a very small seam allowance here. Probably around 1/8 of an inch.) Be sure to leave about an inch of ribbon at the top and bottom.
3. Turn the ribbon to the inside of the shirt. Press with your iron. Take the extra from the top and bottom and turn under to the inside.
4. Sew along the ribbon on the outside edge. (Again, I used a small seam allowance.) Also, make sure that the ribbon ends are tucked under while sewing to create a finished edge.
5. You can leave your cardigan like this, or make some sort of closure. I choose to make an elastic loop and button closure at the top of the cardigan.
6. Start with elastic cord. (The one I used is actually sold for jewelry, but  I use it for this purpose.) I cut a couple of inches and tied it off to make a loop.
7. Sew the loop to the top inside of your cardigan.
8. And finally sew a button to the other side.
An easy and nifty little project. Perfect for maternity, breast feeding, or just hanging out.

I am linking to the following parties this week:


Making
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
The Girl Creative
Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party

Mondays @ All Things Fee!


Keeping It Simple
Tip Junkie handmade projects

Todays Creative Blog



Dragonfly Designs










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Somewhat Simple

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Tidy Mom
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38 comments:

Lisa said...

That's a cute idea! And look at you with your cute bump!

I ended up buying a zip up hoodie from Motherhood to wear at the hospital and at home after the birth. It hasn't gotten much use throughout my pregnancy so far, but hopefully it will come in handy in a few weeks!

Elise Engh said...

So Cute! I love finding ways to recycle clothes! Especially when cardigans at the store can be kinda pricey- so thank you!

http://growcreative.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

I tried this once and it was a fail. The ribbon solution is GENIUS;) Thanks!!!

FrouFrouBritches said...

So stinkin' cute! I might have to make one of these in the fall. Thanks for the ribbon tip. You look so cute! Good luck with the baby!

Julie said...

Gosh, you are so cute! The top is cute too - but seriously, you're one of those girls who wears pregnancy so well! My pregnancy days are over but I just found out that both my sister & sister-in-law are pregnant. I'm thinkin' I might just have to try your idea out :) Thanks for sharing it, you cute lil' momma!!

Moquelish said...

That turned out so cute! Good luck with new baby.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

This looks so cute on you!

Miranda @ Life in the Motherhood said...

That looks soooo cute!! I'm definitely going to have to try this!

Stopping by from What I Made Wednesday!

Life With Lucy said...

Um this is absolutely brilliant! I most definitely want to give this a whirl... and I'm nowhere near pre or post-natal! It is such a good idea for that stage of life though. It would be so easy to wear with a nursing top, and not get too hot this time of year. You look so cute with that little bump peeking through too :)
Thanks so much for sharing!
joysoflifewithlucy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

That is such a great idea! I would love to try this out! Cute baby belly too. I have a party going on over at my blog if you want to join! I'd love to have you! Check it out under the "Stache Party" page on my blog: mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com

HILLARY said...

So need to start doing this to some shirts so I have a few more clothes to wear!

Unknown said...

Great idea. I can never find summer cardigans! I am highlighting this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

Unknown said...

Great idea. I can never find summer cardigans! I am highlighting this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

Patrice said...

Love this idea! I am in that stage of pregnancy too where I feel like It would be a great idea to just cut all my tops right down the middle! Perfect! Thanks for linking up with Lemon Tree today!

Kim said...

I am 22 weeks pregnant and to the point where very little fits! I am absolutely infatuated with this idea! I hope to have one of my own by the end of the week :)

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

Cardigans have been a wardrobe staple of mine since I was a teen. Love this idea! I am pinning you to my sewing file at pinterest...

Thanks for linking up to Creative Juice, Kristi!

Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life said...

I love it! Come over and link it up here with any other refashions you may have :)

Sew Chic Upcycle Week

All Things Fee said...

I've cut my tops that were too short up the middle, but never knew how to finish them off! Will be finishing them up now!

Thanks for sharing at Calling All Crafters!

Brie @ Darling Doodles said...

I'm not the best at sewing but I think even I might be able to pull this one off. Thanks for the fantastic idea! I found your blog from the Skip to My Lou link party and I'm glad I did! I'm your newest follower.

darlingdoodles.blogspot.com

Amy @MoMomma said...

This is a really cute idea - and how simple! Thanks for sharing - and- you look adorable! :)

The Girl Creative said...

I LOVE that!! What a great idea!!! I actually have a t-shirt that I think I'm going to try this with. Thanks so much for linking up! :)

Andrea said...

This is so cute! I love a good cardigan, and sometimes they are hard to find. I have a favorite zip up one from Motherhood Maternity that I wear often, even when I'm not preggers. Don't tell. :)

Thanks for sharing this cute project!

Jenny Hall / Seamingly Smitten said...

Good cardigans are hard to find! This is such a quick re-do and looks super cute!
Jenny

FeltByRae said...

What a great idea... I'm going to have to try this. Please excuse me while I go an dig through my closet and choose a t-shirt that can live again!

Katie said...

LOVE IT! I am going to have to add this to my list of things to do. Love the color too!

Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com said...

Love it! And I love how you did it. Thanks for the tutorial! Come link up to Make It Wear It!

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple said...

Super cute!!! I love it and your belly is so cute!

Carolyn said...

Excellent tutorial. Love the outcome!

Sweet Peas and Bumblebees said...

We loved your idea so much...we are featuring your project at the start of another What I Made Wednesday Party! Come and grab a button & join in on the fun! Your project got the most visits, so your win FREE advertising on our sidebar for the next week!

Don't forget to become a follower of Sweet Peas and Bumblebees....we love followers!

Alisa
Sweet Peas and Bumblebees

Tanya Anurag said...

The cardigan is just what you needed. You did not find it in the stores is a boon... your readers got such an amazing idea :)

We have a link-up party going on - Tea Time Thursdays @ Kreative Korner. I would really appreciate if you'd link up some of your awesome posts there. Hope to see you at the party.

http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-time-thursdays-2-and-features.html

Christa said...

I love it! I'm always on the lookout for something like this as a cover-up over dresses with sleeves that are too short. Thanks for the great tutorial!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I just wanted to stop by and say thanks so much for joining the Stache Party in August and sharing your creativity with everyone! I hope you'll come back in September!
Stephanie
mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com

Dani said...

First of all, you have the cutest baby belly ever! Second, I love this! Super cute and I love how easy you make it look! I featured this on my blog at http://www.livecreativelynow.com/2012/05/awesome-t-shirt-refashion-tutorials.html

Cucicucicoo said...

what a fantastic idea! gotta do this! :) lisa

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