I was going to use this idea to make a top for myself but I figured it would be so much cuter for my little niece.
Here are the materials I used:
A couple of weeks ago we melted the edges of fabric with my Obi Belt tutorial. This week we're going to fray the fabric so it's a good idea to use a natural fibre, like cotton. Because you're using a natural fibre you will want to make sure to pre-wash the fabric. If you use a contrasting colour from your top make sure to add something to the water for colourfastness. I added about a tablespoon of salt. This way when the top is washed the white should stay white and the pink should stay pink.
Steps:
1) I'm not one of you lucky ducks who own a cricket or other cutting machine but if you have one, this step will go lickety split. I created a paper butterfly pattern the old fashioned way, by tracing out a butterfly shape from a cookie cutter.
2) Then use your pattern to cut out as many butterflies as you will need to cover the front of your shirt.
3) As I was cutting I placed them on the shirt to make sure I had enough. For this little girls top I used 12 butterflies.
4) Now comes the only time consuming part of this project....take each butterfly and sew approximately 1/4" from the outside edge. This will stop the fabric from completely fraying into nothing but little rags on your top.
5) Pin all of your butterflies back onto your top.
6) Make one straight stitch down the centre of the body of each butterfly. This way the wings will be free to flutter. (Make sure you're stitching through only one layer of your top!)
7) Throw your top into the dryer for about 30 minutes to get it to start fraying. Each time you wash it, it will fray a bit more, creating a very cute effect.
And when my niece has this top on and is dancing around the house, her butterflies will be fluttering and dancing away with her!
This is a fun and easy project for beginner sewers. When I first learned how to sew I had to stitch squares on paper and lost points for every stitch that went off the line. This is a much better when to get the feel of your machine. You can try different shapes, like leaves or circles and try out different patterns on your top. I thought about doing it on leggings too. I think that would look really cute!
Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
I'll be posting at the linky parties so make sure to check out the tab
with the latest party additions up top~
My 100 Followers Celebration Giveaway is ending Saturday, February 19th. Make sure to enter your comment for a chance to win a free $15 gift certificate from CSN Stores!
24 comments:
I love Butterflies This is such a pretty Shirt, I love it!!
These are lovely! My girls would love to have shirts like this...ok, I would too! Well done.
very nice idea !
This is unique and darling. I would like to make it for my granddaughter, too. First I have to find a plain white or pink top which might not be that easy. I love this though. Thank you for showing how to do it.
Linda
Yes, a plain kids shirt is sometimes to hard to find. Maybe try using plain fabric for your butterflies and a cute printed top. It might turn out just as pretty~
Tamara
Very cute and fun.
looks great. this reminds me of a shirt I had when I was a little girl.
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
I love this! It's adorable and definitely a project I want to do for Boo and Ava. Maybe for an Easter gift. Thank you for the idea. xo
So, so cute! I want to try sewing so maybe this is where I should start instead of the straight lines! Thanks so much for linking up!
Ohh cute! I think it would be adorable on a twirly skirt too =)
Lovely! Thanks for sharing - come by and say hi sometime!
Oh i adore this! I just love butterflies... they are all over my house. This is just so cute. Thanks for sharing. Feel free to hook it up to my weekend link up party which opens tomorrow. I am your newest follower!
Humble Homemaking
What a sweet idea! This would look so cute on a skirt, too.
Oh that is too cute!! Great thinking on using the cookie cutter for a pattern.
This is so beautiful. I'm your newest follower. It would be great if you could stop by my blog Monday and add your project to The More The Merrier Link Party.
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
This is REALLY cute! I can imagine SO many possibilities with this technique! Fantastic job!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
such a cute shirt! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings and make sure to come enter my giveaway for Handstamped Silver :)
came over from stuff & nonsense - think I'll be staying. You have great ideas :)
I saw your link at Sew much Ado. I loved it so much the idea kept me awake the other night!! I just finished a crazy cute dress for my 4 year old. I used a t-shirt of hers that was getting too short and a flowery pillowcase. I used the extra fabric from the pillowcase to make 4 of your butterflies for the top. She was thrilled and so am I! I can't for tomorrow to show it off at her family birthday party. Thank you!!
My first thougth was this would be perfect for a quilt too. I love your idea. Thank you for sharing.
this butterfly shirt is adorable...and such a simple project. thank you for linking up to fridays unfolded this week!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
Aw, what a cute and whimsical top!
PS- I'm doing my first giveaway ever on my blog, I'd love if you would stop by and enter! http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-first-giveaway-and-introducing-your.html
Tamara, what a pretty ideia I JUST LOVE BUTTERFLIES!!!!!!
THANKS!!!!
A hug from Portugal
Ana Lopes
It is easier to stich your butterflies on a drawn line on your fabric before you cut them out. I have a lot of paper butterflies and just would scatter the size I needed to get an idea for location. And if for adult make sure you remember placement so attention isn't called to an area you may not want. ;)
Post a Comment