jazzing up a tee pattern

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 11:51 AM

My kids are going to AZ for ten days in March with my mom and I hope to spend some of the time getting some new downloads and articles written for the site. I would really like to do one on different ways to modify a t-shirt pattern. I'm hoping to encourage some of you that won't venture outside what the pattern says to do

So, I would love some help here. If you have pics and ideas of little things you've done to adult or children's t-shirts to make them different, please post the picture and how you did it.

I'll start digging through my files.

**PixiesMama** · 02-23-2006, 11:53 AM

What do you mean exactly? Like altering a sleeve or body to make it flared? Adding embellishments/appliques ~ that sort of thing?

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 11:58 AM

Oh boy, this may take awhile. I didn't realize I modify so much. I made it to the Ds in my picture files. Only a million pics left to go :/

I'll add instructions later.

Flare the sleeves.

Add a hood. If you are using thick fabric, you might want to size up 1 size.

Widen the neck into a scoop.

Make it a v-neck (I'll post picture directions for this later), use stripes and cut the front on the bias.

Turn your raglan into a tank.

Make it into a cross shirt.

**Erin** · 02-23-2006, 12:02 PM

Yeah Allison! :allisonundies I was going to send you a PM asking for instructions on how to do an adult cross front t-shirt like the one you posted yesterday (Munki Hopscotch, I think). Can you add that to your list? You are so talented in the design area. Everything you make always looks so professional. Can you tell I am buttering you up? :lol

**belladonna** · 02-23-2006, 12:03 PM

Like this?

Colorblock the heck out of it :LOL2

**nutmeg** · 02-23-2006, 12:05 PM

I was just reading about a pattern that shows you how to alter your favortie tee shirts... I just can't remember the link.... :chinscratch

**PixiesMama** · 02-23-2006, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by *Erin*

Yeah Allison! :allisonundies I was going to send you a PM asking for instructions on how to do an adult cross front t-shirt like the one you posted yesterday (Munki Hopscotch, I think). Can you add that to your list? You are so talented in the design area. Everything you make always looks so professional. Can you tell I am buttering you up? :lol

I think we already have instructions for that. :chinscratch Well anyway, there was one at AW but I'm not sure if it was carried over here or not.

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 12:07 PM

Yes, that is what I mean Meagan. I was trying to add ideas first so people would understand better. Stop posting while I am :LOL2

Add a hood to the top and elastic cord and toggle to the hem.

Flare it into a dress.

Use your scraps and make it patchy.

Make a cross top for mama.

Flare it out into a dress for mama. For it to fit better, this also requires making a seam down the back and flaring it in at the waist and out at the tush.

Crop the sleeves, use contrasting stitches and iron on to "trendy" it up.

Remove the sleeves (either finish with binding, facing, or just fold the seam allowance in).

**belladonna** · 02-23-2006, 12:07 PM

Thought of some I haven't done but I've seen the S&S's here. Twisty top and the vertical elastic between your breasts that appears to have a lifting effect

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 12:08 PM

[quote="PixiesMama"]

Originally Posted by *Erin*

I think we already have instructions for that. :chinscratch Well anyway, there was one at AW but I'm not sure if it was carried over here or not.

No, that was for the mock cross front (like the black and natural one I just posted). She means one that just crosses on top, like the little girls Ottobre.

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 12:27 PM

I can't find my picture of the one with elastic at the top. I'm not doing a twisty top mod-along. I say buy the pattern

You need to include pictures AND instructions with your post. Don't make me do all the work!

Make a v-neck with colorblocking right at the bottom of the V.

Contrast colorblocking under the arms.

Add ribbon trim down the sleeves.

Add a seam under the breasts and cross the front slightly.

Cut a keyhole neckline and bind.

Fold the neckline back and topstitch instead of using binding or ribbing. Works best on thicker fabrics.

Add long sleeves under the short for a mock two layer shirt (works well if you have summer shirts you want to extend for winter wear).

Flare a raglan into a dress and add a hood for a cozy dress.

Crop the top and add a circle skirt for a fun top.

**fw221** · 02-23-2006, 12:40 PM

:chinscratch I think I can find a pic of the racer back modification.

**lasagefemme** · 02-23-2006, 12:44 PM

Wow, Allison........you look fantastic in short hair!!! This is a neat thread. I'd like to know how to "flare out at the tush"....since my tush would definitely need some of that. LOL

Lisa

**CarterNOwensMom** · 02-23-2006, 12:52 PM

You've done a lot but...

Make it a cross top with color blocking and a flare:

Alter the front for a wrap top:

Color block a curved raglan (eliminating the side seam):

Add a gathered skirt and sash for a dress:

Sew only one edge of the neckband to the shirt and lettuce the other for a turtleneck:

**lisak** · 02-23-2006, 12:55 PM

Heather do you have instructions on the wrap top mod?

**arasmama** · 02-23-2006, 01:06 PM

Cool Heather, we both did wrap tops, but with different mods.

Wrap top with side tie:

**lasagefemme** · 02-23-2006, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by lisak

Heather do you have instructions on the wrap top mod?

yeah yeah yeah!!!! That wrap top is great!! Quite stylin'!

Lisa

**CheekyBabies** · 02-23-2006, 02:05 PM

I've done a lot of wrap top variations but I think you have those covered. Here are a few I didn't see listed yet:

Add a zipper and when you mess up the bottom cover it with a patch.

Miter some foe for a v-neck.

Widen the body, cut up the center front, add snaps and a ribbed collar.

I forgot to upload the pic of a hoodie with a kangaroo pocket.
Don't forget side tags- simple but add a lot.

mike · 02-23-2006, 02:10 PM

I've only got a couple, that I have pics of anyway, and I think they've already been addressed, but here we go:

Make a mock two-layer shirt by cutting the pattern at the short sleeve line, adding a generous seam allowance, sewing the top and bottom together and then "hemming" the short sleeve after the shirt is finished (fold the bottom part in)

sew decorative trim across the bottom of a mock-wrap shirt

add a skirt

add trim to bottom edge and sleeves

color-block a wrap-T. add embroidery design to match (I've also wanted to use a print for the main part and a solid for the behind part w/ an embroidery design, but hasn't happened yet)

add a skirt, sash, split the sleeve

OK, I guess I had more than I thought. Alex is begging to take a nap now, so I'd better get off the computer.

**Scarlet** · 02-23-2006, 02:56 PM

no pics but what about these?

side slit at hem
FBA
curving in side seams
adding a yoke in back
lettuce hems/sleeves
using existing shirts -- e.g. cutting sleeves from side seams so you get a seam along the top of the arms
making a muslin and drawing a new neckline directly on the model
cap sleeves
different styles of neck binding/facings/FOE/ribbing