I took this screenprinting test-shirt and refashioned it into a cute racerback using 99-cent doilies from Joann’s. I recommend using these inexpensive doilies to practice before using your pretty, vintage handmade doilies from the antique store. Although, admittedly they would look much better.
Here’s how I made it:
Materials:
Tee shirt
Tank top (to use as a pattern)
Doilies
Standard sewing stuff
Copy Tank Top pattern
First, I just laid a plain white tank top over my tee shirt, pinned it to keep it from sliding around and traced around it with a Sharpie to copy the pattern.
Cut around the marked lines leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Lay the doilies out in a pattern you like. Make sure that the doilies overlap enough to give the shirt stability.
Attach the doilies to eachother. Sew the doilies to eachother (NOT TO THE SHIRT) where they overlap. I recommend using a button stitch (individual stitch that is repeated several times in the same spot). Tie each stitch off and then start at another point rather than trying to do blanket stitch which would cause the doilies to bunch up.
Cut the shirt open at the shoulders. This will allow you to get the shirt into your sewing machine and sew around the doilies a bit easier.
Pin the strung-together doilies onto the back of the tee to hold them place.
Sew the top and bottom of the larger doily piece. Sew as if the doilies were one big, oddly shaped doily (don’t sew each individual doily). I used a zig-zag stitch to secure it really well. Leave the sides (where the sleeves are) open.
Here’s what the back of the shirt looks like when you are done sewing. **Note that I sewed only at the top and bottom. Not in the middle and not down the sides.
Cut away the fabric behind the doilies. Insert your scissors in-between the doilies and the t-shirt and cut away the excess fabric.
Sew the shoulder seams back together. Reattach at the shoulders by turning the shirt inside out, pinning and sewing.
Finish arm holes. Fold the arm hole seams in about 1/2-inch, pin and sew using a zig-zag stitch. You can choose to fold the the doilies back or not. Just don’t trim the doilies or they will unravel.
Try it on! You may need to make adjustments by pinching and pinning (and sewing) the underarm area. Once you have sewed it so that it fits to your liking you can wear loud and proud!
BTW- Here is the inspiration for this shirt which I cannot afford nor do they make my size. So what’s a girl to do!? Oh yeah, Do-it-Myself!
March 2nd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Soooooo cool!
I must thrift some doilies immediately!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
Cool t-shirt! You are clever!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Your shirt is way more awesome than the inspiration version! This tutorial rocks - I will totally have to try this sometime, thank you!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
oh man, I am making that for sure!!!
March 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
That’s so cool! That’s really creative!
March 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Wow! It´s wonderfull, I must try to do someting like that too.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Thanks for all of your comments!
March 7th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Amy,
I have just found your blog and am thrilled to find such a good teacher. Great work.
Thanks,
Kathy
March 9th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Thanks Kathy,
I have bookmarked your blog too it’s wonderful!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:04 am
WOW! That simply is a cool shirt! Very clever!
Hugs,
Robyn
March 12th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
This I’ll have to try!!
Thanks so much for a wonderful tutorial - it was truly inspirational. And easy to follow due to your photos.
Thanks a lot!
Bobbelur
March 13th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Umm…this shirt is pretty much AWESOME!! I love it.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
very pretty makes the tank much better. Way to go
April 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Every time I see a pile of unwanted doilies gathering dust in the thrift store I keep thinking of all those poor grandmas who spent hours making them - but unwanted they are no more, thanks to your tutorial. Excellent idea!
April 20th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I totally love this idea, and I’m going to discuss it on my CraftTestDummies blog for my Earth Day bonanza! How cool, and tre fashiona-blah!-Jenny
May 9th, 2008 at 1:17 am
What a wonderful tutorial (as all your tutorials are! :-))
I really love to crochet little doilies but always felt a little embarrassed because I don’t actually use them.
*Now* I know what to do with them
July 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Thank you so much! I’ve been wanting to make one of these shirts for a long time! This is so simple I can do it!
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
what a great idea!! looks amazing!
September 13th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Soo cute! Will definetly try.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
WOW! I am so in love with this shirt–I actually like it better than your inspirational photo! And the best part is that your tutorial is extremely clear and easy to follow. Thanks so much for posting–I can’t wait to make one!
September 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Your’s is MUCH prettier!!