June 20, 2011

"Willy Nilly" Shirt Refashion

Look up "Willy Nilly" in the dictionary, this is what you will find: 

something that is by compulsion or without choice; 
 something that is done in an unplanned or haphazard fashion.  

So when I thought about this t-shirt refashion, all that came to mind was to go at it "Willy Nilly".   


So with no real plan, I cut off the sleeves, opened them up and cut them into several long strips. The picture below shows where I made the cuts; I didn't actually draw the lines, I just guesstimated the width of each one.  I used both sleeves to make the strips.



Then I sewed one strip "Willy Nilly" and the rest followed. 



I also used two different colored threads instead on one. 

These are thread spools that I inherited from my grama many years ago. 

I just threaded my machine as I normally do, pulled two threads through the eye of the needle and sewed as usual.  


I also used a different color for my bobbin thread.  
So really, I used three different colored threads.  

As for the "ruffles", I just gathered as I sewed...no pins or premaking ruffles...
again, just "Willy Nilly".  



Then, I sewed down all the ruffles. 


See how the stitches look with the double thread? I love how it looks.


My husband double-dog-dared me to add this blurred picture of him while I was trying to get a good shot of the ruffles that I sewed onto the sleeves.  Here you go babe...



Sometimes the best things in life just come at you "Willy Nilly"...




14 comments:

Jill said...

LOVE IT!! Willy Nilly is my kind of way of doing things!!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Alia said...

Hi!

I am your new follower!
I love your top!
Can't wait to try this!

Do visit my blog too and follow it if you like it!

Alia
http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

April said...

Fun top! I am a huge fan using contrasting thread! and really cute they way you extended the ruffles to the arm! would love to have you share this tutorial on my blog! email me if you would be interested in doing a guest post! ~April @ Wildflowers & Whimsy

AsylumTanya said...

I love how your shirt turned out! I especially like the fun thread you used! Thanks for sharing!

madison avenue said...

soooo cute!! i love the ruffles and i love love love that color! you did a great job!
madisonavenue2011.blogspot.com

Nicole @ Sew Much Sunshine said...

That looks gorgeous! NICE job! Found you via the Hope Studios Linky party! :)

Amanda said...

This is so creative! I love the look of double thread in your machine! I would never have thought to do that!

Amanda @ PandiolaLane.blogspot.com

ShannonSews said...

Willy nilly never looked so cute! :) I love tshirt refashions. Nice work!

Cynthia said...

How cute! Love the ruffles on the sleeves!

Angela said...

Ooooo, please share this at my blog party Simply Creative over at 365 days to Simplicity! I'd love it if you did!!!

http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/06/simply-creative-blog-party-2.html

Unknown said...

I love the idea of the double thread! It looks really cool! Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

Misty @Creative Itch said...

I'll have to remember to 'Willy Nilly' it next time I'm sewing!

Thanks for linking @'Sew Cute Tuesday'! I'll be featuring you tomorrow, so be sure to stop by and grab a 'featured' button!

Abby said...

Love this idea!

Your newest follower,

abby
(come follow me?)
i---create.blogspot.com

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