I know I do this a lot (1, 2, 3). But really, can you blame me? Between my husband and my father, I have an almost unending supply of cool t-shirts just begging to be upcycled.
Sure, you can get t-shirts for preschoolers fairly cheap, but free is still a whole lot cheaper. Plus, these are WAY cooler than what's on offer at Target (I know, I checked today). And they are made in the good old U. S. of A. Both of these shirts once belonged to my dad (he's a pretty cool dude), and they are thin and super-soft, perfect for spring.
I used the Basic Tee Pattern by Dana of Made (score-bonus on having a boy the same size as hers). The pattern has a great slim, fit and the tutorial is oh-so-fabulously detailed.
I only changed two things:
1. I sewed one shoulder and then applied the ribbing (sans pins, just pull the ribbing slightly as you sew) and then closed the neck hole by sewing up the other shoulder. This means your ribbing seam ends up at the shoulder which is not as nice as a seam in the back, but much, much easier.
2. The pattern calls for adding 1" in length if you need to make a hem, but I added 2 inches.
I'm not getting quite as much done as I'd like for Kids Clothes Week (Jason, AKA Dad, has been sick), but I do plan to at least start a pair of Coastal Cargos. These tees were a quick sew, and would have been even quicker if I had applied all the sleeves the right way the first time.
Anyone want to ooh and ahh at my twin needle skills? I am living proof that you need nothing more than a very basic machine to sew knits (although, I wouldn't say no to a serger).
Are you participating in KCW? I'd love to know how it's going. Oh, and I'm desperate for some new sewing tunes, have any favorites?
