DIY: Plum Ruffle Tee

I made this plum ruffle tee this weekend, inspired by Susan’s ruffle pillows. I really like how it turned out and I’m excited to experiment more with ruffles. In hind site, I probably should have made the ruffles go all around the back but I really didn’t want to do that much work. Scroll down for more specific instructions if you’d like to make your own.

I started with a plain old white t shirt, mine was $7 from h&m.I cut two strips of pretty plum linen into tubes (sewing all ends together except one short side). I lay a piece of fishing wire straight down the middle of each tube and sewed a large zigzag on top of the wire, straight down the middle of the tube. I tried it without the wire and when I pulled the string to ruffle it, the string broke. I needed something stronger, Susan suggested using the fishing wire (click on photo below to enlarge detail)Then I pinned and sewed the ruffles onto the scoop. I actually hand stitched them, but I probably could have used a machine, going very very slowly to make sure the stitches are going where I want them and not sewing down the ruffles. I didn’t pull the wire out until it was all sewed down since that is what was keeping it ruffled, not the string.
Voila!

Comments

I Love thi project! And I love your blog! Really happy to find you!I will write about this Ruffle Tee in my blog, in a post about embellishing DIY project! Come and visit if you want!

So cute. So cute. You have only further fueled my obsession with ruffles 🙂

Very caaute! Love the plum color choice.DiThe Blue Ridge Gal

looks like something from jcrew! it's really awesome! I just found your blog. I'm adding it to my google reader right now!

wow, luv your technique with the fishing wire, I would have made this far more complicated, I am sure. Off to dig in my closet for a t to convert, and then to my fabric stash, there just has to be something there!marcia

Carolyne, I just stitched right down the center, right next to where the fishing wire was (not on top of it of course). When I pulled out the fishing wire I had to make several snips as it was caught in a couple spots.

This is kind of a silly question…when you were sewing the ruffles to the shirt, did you have to stitch in specific place in order to replace what the fishing wire was doing so that when you took out the wire, the ruffles still stayed in place?It's a fabulous idea, and oh so pretty. Thanks for sharing your idea!

So amazing! It makes me want to run out and sign up for a sewing class right now!

Rebecca, yes I sewed them right sides together and then turned them inside out and ironed them down so the seems were pretty. The fishing wire was laid on top of the tube

I think I could live in these. The perfect compromise between wanting to look gorgeously cute but wanting comfortable "mom" clothes. Now if only I could find the time to make some…

Susan, when you first sewed the long tubes was it right side in, and then had to turn them right side out? How did you do that with something so long?Also, when you laid the fishing wire did you lay it IN the tube, or on the outside, on top?

What a fun idea! I really need to learn how to sew! I say this all the time, but I'm so serious now! 🙂

this is so pretty and i'm totally in awe that you made it yourself! LOVE it.

WOW, you made this? I was just going to ask, "Where can I buy one?" Impressive, way to go!

I'm super impressed by this. It turned out so great. Do you mind making me one? My birthday is in seven months.

This is fabulous! I am filing it away at thecraftersfilebox.blogspot.com.Thank so much for sharing!

wow! This looks gorgeous! I'll have to try this out. I love the fish line tip. Great idea!

I'm going to tru it with dental floss. The wax in the string makes it super strong.It's pretty much the best, cheapest heavy duty string that exists…just don't use the flavored kind.

How lovely!! I agree you should sell these, I'd totally buy one.

I love it. And I'm kinda bitter that on project runnway, they've been totally bashing ruffles this season. Not cool!

thank you everyone for the kind words!! I'm excited to try some more rufflin'. it's kind of addicting

super impressed. you should sell these for like $50. they are beautiful!

so beautiful! i have done a refashioned ruffle shirt using the excess fabric for the ruffle but i really like how you did a contrasting ruffle. i will have to try that next. thanks!

Very very pretty. Very Jcrew–only better. I think I might even try this. You do realize I copy most of your projects. Thanks for the inspiration.

so cute, liz! your craft abilities always amaze me.

I love it! Wonderful job as usual!You have given me all sorts of ruffle envy.uberchicforcheap.blogspot.com

ahh! it's gorgeous. love that deep purple. perfect for the season. thanks for this… love, lindsay

Suzie, it took about an hour and a half to sew them on. Kind of tedious, but not too bad

How beautiful!! I love the color too. I think I would have sewn it by hand too, how long did it take?

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