Feb 162009
More DIY T-Shirt Stuff
I started recycling t-shirts more than 20 years ago. They are one of my favorite things to work with. T-shirts are such a part of pop culture, I can't help but find them compelling. Pictured below is a skirt I made this past Friday.
I've made this skirt forever, but last year one of my favorite T-shirt artists and designers, Natalie Chanin came out with a great book titled "Alabama Stitch Book." You can purchase the book at her website–
Definitely have a look, Natalie has been doing great things with T-shirts for years. (she actually makes clothing that is simply amazing, I'm sure some of you have seen her work) She shows you how to make a 4 panel skirt, the one I made Friday is 6 panels, I wanted a little more swing, and I added a second piece to my panel for substance and length. I also bleached down old t-shirts to get that faded tie-dye feeling. Here are some detail shots….
Shelly inspired my color palette.
I made t-shirt rosettes for a little polish, and did beading between the gathers. I should do more beading, but I need to brush up on my beading skills, I haven't done this in a while. It's really simple to make–honest. Natalie sews all of her things by hand like I did with this skirt and you can see the genius in this on how the skirt will give with your body, and they are extra durable. I use buttonhole twist, and double it. These skirts are so durable, I own several, and throw them in the washer and dryer. If they develop a worn spot, just hand sew a little patch!
I also made this jacket on my machine a while back.
I made the pattern myself by cutting up an old jean jacket I purchased at Target and tracing it on to newspaper. I cut each piece 3 layers thick and then quilted each one heavily before putting them together.
This makes the fabric very thick and heavy. Almost like a denim, but still soft like a t-shirt. It feels really nice. I made it dip down a little more in the back, and left a little of the t-shirt graffiti for interest.
I made the lining a contrasting orange for more detail. The looping was very easy to do.
Both of these projects can be done in a busy weekend. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. If the idea of recycling t-shirts appeals to you, you will definitely love Natalie's book….
Related posts:
- DIY T-Shirt
- Various Things
- Favorite Jeans/Hysteric Glamour
- Recycling 101
- The Right Boot/ The Right Jean
More inspiration from Atlantis Home:
- Comments (48)
- Filed Under DIY Projects
- Posted at 2:33pm
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i hate throwing away stuff, this project is for me!
wow! the jacket is amazing!
I LOVE the jacket!!! Why haven’t Jane worn it yet? Can really imagine her in it….
i love the jacket. i admire your patience. all the quilting is so beautiful.
That jacket is a work of art, just beautiful!
Both the skirt and the jacket look wonderful. If I saw someone wearing them I probably wouldn’t have even noticed they were made out of t shirts!
I utterly adore these. I have quite a large stash of t-shirts that I want to make into things and I love this shirt and jacket.
I think you would like parts of threadbanger.com and I’ve just moved the Alabama Stitch Book higher up on my list of things to read/buy!
LOVE
Judy- This is brilliant. I am so impressed. I think I need to get back to real crafting. It’s so much for satisfying.
j, that jacket turned out great!!!
Will you be selling items like this online? They really are great. I’m not crafty at all, but I’m very good with opening the wallet!
wondering if you have ever made a t-shirt into a tank top (specifically a racerback) if so any suggestions?
fantastic job… the jacket is very cool. inspired.
a very nice work of art..that jacket and skirt of yours. wish i could sew!
xx imelda
Great details on the skirt and jacket!
you guys are so very beautiful and stylish.
i just started blogging, i would like to add your blog as one of my links. visit my blog.
http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/
Oh my! I’m totally in love with that jacket! It is positively gorgeous!!!
I love customising vintage tees, but haven’t done so in a while, but this is definitely a whole different level…
ooo i love that skirt! i recycle tshirts too, i sell some of the stuff on my etsy. i love the little beads on the rosettes. so cute!
Very lovely and beautiful clothes! You are so talented!
is the skirt entirely done manually?
I wish I was as creative as you. I can sew, but unfortunately, I lack the creativity.
Anyway, I love your designs. Very unique.
http://pinkcoconut.izces.com
I LOVE that jacket…I would have never thought to layer t-shirts to make a heavy yet soft material.
That jacket looks so soft, I want to touch it. After seeing all that, I suddenly miss my mum. She loves crocheting and sewing. I can totally see the two of you making things for the daughters, sipping tea. ^_~
That skirt is so pretty!! Just found your blog through your daughter’s blog… will definitely add it to my bookmarks.
Wow! Fab job! We work with the Alabama Stitch Book alot at our shop Revolution Malibu. Natalie Chanin actually featured our work on her blog in November.
Here is the link if you are interested;
http://projectecoart.blogspot.com/2008/11/million-thanks.html
i’ve been such a huge fan of natalie chanin and loved the works of project alabama. your jacket is beautiful! i hope it’s as easy as you say it is. i’ll have to email you for your help on the looping detail once i get around to starting this project.
Really like the flowers detail on the skirt and the contrasting orange lining!
Great job
i’ve linked you to my blog.
visit my site…
http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/
you are amazing!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marni-Brown-Strappy-Platform-Sandal-Fits-like-7-5-or-8_W0QQitemZ250375293787QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Shoes?hash=item250375293787&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
luv the quilting and yoyos Judy!
both are great!!.very pretty
beautiful work! i love the color scheme of the jacket…super creative. Your clothes remind me of a store in Chicago, Art Effect. If you are ever in town, you should pay them a visit. Also kind of like Cotelac, one of my faves. Great blog! I have linked you on my blog!
http://www.megone.typepad.com
These are some amazing pieces, you are so creative : )
those flowers are so cute!
do you think you can put up a tutorial on how to sew them?
That is so wow! I went through a period of cutting T-shirts up the middle when they shrunk and layering them over tanks but NOW I know what to do with my stash
Hey, I am a 15 year old girl and my Aunt recommended me to your blog. I absolutely love that skirt! It is so pretty. I always enjoy DIY projects and I would love to know how you made that skirt. Did you just use a zipper to to fasten it?
Aghhhhh….brilliant!
this is amazing, you are so creative! what an ingenious idea to recycle tshirts. I am now officially a fan of your blog. You are one cool mom!
Create custom T-Shirts with our T-Shirt maker at http://www.gaffneysportinggoods.com
Can I buy them? Please???
oh my gosh, I knew I had seen these rosettes somewhere before!
my grandmother just gave me this amazing, 50 year old quilt: http://justtheticket.typepad.com/justtheticket/2009/09/in-the-meantime-you-could-paint-your-houses-brown-and-orange-and-discover-the-avocado.html, and I was wracking my brain trying to remember where I’d seen similar rosettes on a blog. haha. finally!
anyway, that is a gorgeous skirt, you’re very talented.
What a cute hand made skirt! very fabulous.
-mikee-
Lovely designs….That skirt is so pretty!!!!
I am Inspired. I like how you incorporated the logos in your project. I have a garage full of t-shirts…all with a little special meaning to them and this is a great way to put them to use. Did you use a regular sewing foot and did you need a heavy duty machine?
Good one. I think this items will work just fine.
-mikee
Experience never misleads; what you are missed by is only your judgement, and this misleads you by anticipating results from experience of a kind that is not produced by your experements. Do you think so?
I like the handmade skirt. it looks so feminine and cute. maybe I should made one for me also.
-mikee