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9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookCopyright 2010 by Prime Publishing LLCAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrievalsystem, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodiedin critical articles and reviews.Trademarks are property of their respective holders. When used, trademarks are for the benefit of thetrademark owner only.Published by Prime Publishing LLC, 3400 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 – www.primecp.comFree Sewing ProjectsFree Crochet ProjectsFree Knitting ProjectsFree Craft Projects

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookLetter from the EditorsHi Sewers,It’s time to start sewing with some fabric you’ve already got lying around: T-shirts! Sew your way to anew wardrobe while saving money, de-cluttering your home, and being environmentally friendly. All ofthe easy sewing projects featured in this eBook can be made with t-shirts, either ones that are collectingdust in the back of your dresser, or inexpensive, new t-shirts from the store. Embellish t-shirts tobreathe new life into them, or deconstruct them completely to make pillows, aprons, accessories, andmore!You can find more upcycling ideas, free sewing patterns, sewing tips, and extensive decorating ideas atwww.AllFreeSewing.com.Our eBooks, like all of our sewing projects, are absolutely FREE to members of our sewing community.Please feel free to share with family and friends and ask them to sign up at our website for ourfree e-mail newsletter.Happy Crafting,The Editors of AllFreeSewingwww.AllFreeSewing.comFind thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.3

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookAcknowledgementsWe would like to thank these bloggers and designers for contributing to the eBook:Jess for Floral Showers CraftsJane Skoch of Maiden JaneBarbara Matthiessen for Earth Safe FinishesJennifer Juniper of Hope StudiosDisney from Ruffles and StuffThe Sisters 4 Say More is MoreLindsey for The Pleated PoppyAshley for Make it and Love itThank you for sharing your ideas and continuing to inspire us!Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.4

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts Table of ContentsT-Shirt Pillows. 6Embellished Tees . 19Ruffle Pillow Tutorial . 6Dollar Shirts Never Looked So Good. 19T-Shirt Pillow . 9Petal Tees. 21Accessories . 13Circle Flower Tee . 22Groovy T-Shirt Tote . 13Women's Corsage Shirt . 25Scrunchy Scarf Tutorial . 15Easy T-Shirt Aprons . 17Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.5

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookT-Shirt PillowsRuffle Pillow TutorialBy: Floral Showers CraftsThe ruffle pillow tutorial is a free, easysewing pattern for making a pillow coveredin ruffles, all made from an old T-shirt.2. Cut a 14 14 square through both layersof the t-shirt. These squares form the frontand back of the pillow.Project Type: Make a ProjectTime to complete: In an eveningSewn by: MachineMaterials:An XL t-shirt (or larger)Rotary cutter, mat, and rulerFiber fill or some sort of stuffing3. Trim off sleeves and use remaining t-shirtfabric to cut strips about 1 ¼ inch wide by21 (or so) inches long.Instructions:1. Lay t-shirt flat on cutting mat. Cut hemoff bottom of t-shirt and straighten sidesout (if needed).Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.6

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook4. Lay out strips on pillow top to determinehow many ruffles you want. I wanted 10 formine.5. Set your machine to a really long stitch(called a basting stitch). Sew down thecenter of each strip, leaving a tail of thread,and making sure to NOT reverse stitch oneither end.6. Lay strips back on pillow where you’d likethem (with the bobbin thread side facingdown). Pin ends in place (it makes the nextstep easier).7. Ruffle time! Gently pull the bobbinthread (the thread on the bottom) to createthe ruffle. Spread the ruffle across theentire strip and pin in place. Repeat foreach strip.Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.7

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook8. Set your machine back to a regular (orslightly smaller than regular) stitch length.Sew down the center of each ruffle (right ontop of the baste stitch).10. Sew front to back, leaving a 4-5 inch gapon one side. Trim corners. Flip right sideout. Stuff.11. Pin opening closed and hand sew shut.9. Pin pillow front to pillow back, withruffles inside. Tip: to make sure you don’tsew the ruffle in the side seam, pin bottommost and top-most ruffles to the side.Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.8

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookT-Shirt PillowNotes on Materials:By: Jane SkochUse a t-shirt front and back or two separatet-shirts.The border fabric can be a contrast orcoordinating fabric. I have used polka-dots, tiedye, and anything that does not have adirectional pattern. My pillow fabric is Oxygenfrom Contemporary Cloth.Prewash the t-shirts and border fabric topreshrink them, especially if they are brandnew.It isn’t necessary to use an interfacingspecifically designed for knits. The t-shirts willnot need stretch for the pillow. The interfacingis added for stability and ease of sewing.Pillow forms are available in many sizes. Ifyou decide to make another size, you will wantyour completed square to be one inch largerthan the pillow form. So if you want to make a16” pillow, then you will design the square to be17” before sewing the two sides together.When cutting the t-shirt into a square, I usean Omnigrid that has been custom cut to a 13¼” square template. You can make a cardboardtemplate or simply measure and mark a square.Learn how to turn a sentimental t-shirt intoa comfy pillow with this sewing tutorial.Designer Jane Skoch likes to make T-shirtquilts and use a few extra t-shirts formatching pillows.Materials:Instructions:2 t-shirt sides, washed1 yard of fusible interfacing (Pellon 906F,911FF)½ yard of fabric for border, washed18” pillow form1. Rough cut square: The application ofinterfacing can cause the shirt to shrink so I cuta larger square than needed. Place templateover the desired area of the t-shirt. Cut the tshirt out with an extra inch around the edges.Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.9

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook2. Cut Border Fabric Strips:Cut 4 strips 3 ½" x 13 ¼"Cut 4 strips 3 ½" x 19 ¼"4. Cut the T-Shirts to 13 ¼" square: I use myOmnigrid to center the t-shirt design and cutusing a rotary cutter.3. Apply interfacing: Apply the interfacing perthe manufacturer’s instructions to the back sideof the t-shirt. When I have large areas to fuse, Itake an old plastic tub and fill it with water sothat I can quickly dampen the hanky I use as mypress cloth.5. Assemble and Sew Pillow Top and Bottom:Pin the shorter border pieces to the top andbottom of the t-shirt.Place the t-shirt on your ironing board with thelogo side down. Then place the interfacing on,covered by a damp hanky. Fuse using a dry iron.When the hanky stops steaming, the fusing istypically complete.Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.10

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookSew or serge using a ¼" seam. Press thestitching line and then press seams toward theborder. When pressing, especially from theright side, avoid pressing the t-shirt logo. It canmelt!(what a steal that was! I can't believe I left theprice tag on.)Now pin the longer border pieces to the sides ofthe t-shirt. Sew and press.I modify the pillow squares to remove excessfabric in the corners. Fold the fabric intofourths. Mark a point halfway between thecorner and the fold on each open side. At thecorner, mark a point ½" from each raw edge.You now have a completed t-shirt block. Repeatfor other t-shirt.Trim from the corner to the center marks.6. Prepare the Squares for Sewing: I use ahandy tip from "Singer Sewing Step by Step"Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.11

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook7. Sew the Top to the Bottom: Pin and sew thetwo squares together using a ¼” seamallowance. Leave an opening in the bottom toinsert the pillow form. I usually leave about 10”open.9. Insert Pillow Form and Hand SewOpening: Pin the opening closed and sewclosed using a slip stitch.8. Turn Inside Out, Press Seams and PressUnder ¼" on open edge.10. Enjoy your pillow!Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.12

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBookAccessoriesInstructions:Groovy T-Shirt Tote1. Cut bottom of shirt off even with bottom ofunderarm seam. Cut off sleeves. Cut strip acrosswidth of shirt just under neckline. This willcreate 2 pieces for tote handles.By: Barbara Matthiessen for Earth SafeFinishesWhy go green and sacrifice style? With thisGroovy T-Shirt Tote, there's no need to.This bag is made from recycled and earthsafe materials so feel free to strut your stuffand be groovy.2. Slide a piece of cardboard into bottomsection of shirt. The cardboard will keep anypaint from seeping through to other side ofshirt. Pour small puddles of both paints outonto palette. Mix 2 drops of Fabric Magic intoeach paint. Dip cork into Glacier paint for eachflower center.Materials:T-shirt any sizeThread to match shirtEarth Safe Finisheshttp://www.earthsafefinishes.comFabric MagicGeneration Green Acrylic paint in Glacier andSunflowerBlack fabric markerWine corkSponge (I prefer smaller celled sponges.)PaletteSewing machine with stretch knit stitchScissorsSheet of scrap cardboardFind thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.13

9 Ways to Transform Old T-Shirts eBook3. Dip side of sponge into Glacier paint. Pressone end of sponge onto Glacier center then rollor press sponge outward forming a petal.4. Repeat 5 or 6 times working around centerto form flowers. Add flowers as desired, refer toproject photograph.8. Fold sides of strips (Handles cut from shirt inStep 1.) into center.9. Most knits will automatically roll inwardswith gentle guidance. Stitch down length ofstrip.5. Dip cork into Sunflower then onto flowercenters. Allow paints to dry.6. Outline flower petals, add dots aroundcenters and in clusters of threes using blackmarker.10.Sew ends of handles next to side seams.Each handle will span one side of tote with endson opposite side seams. Shown is one sideturned up into position it will be used and otherend as it is stitched.7. Turn painted shirt section inside out. Stitchacross bottom using matching thread and astretch stitch. Turn½” hem to inside along topedge, stitch down.Find thousands of free sewing patterns, tips, tutorials and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.14