Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Recylcled T-Shirt Scarf



For this project, you'll need two t-shirts.  I chose grey and green.  They can have holes in them...we can work around that!   (See my post from yesterday!)

Now, take one shirt and lay it out flat.  Use a bar of soap as tailors chalk and mark out a scarf shape. Start at the shoulder of the shirt, this is the mid-point, and the skinniest part of the scarf.  I just gently flared my shape from the shoulder, across the front of the shirt, and over to the opposite hip of the shirt.  You can see the dotted, dash lines on the shirt...that is the outline, and the normal skid type mark of the soap. Cut the t-shirt in your scarf shape through the two layers.  Then, pin this shape to the second shirt, and cut that one the same size.
 
On whichever side you want to be the front of the scarf, use a stencil to lay out a pattern.  Simple may be best for this first project.  I used the leaf pattern from my brand new Alabama Chanin Stitch Book.  If there are holes in your shirt, you'll need to properly position your stencil in order to make sure that the holey part of the shirt will be discarded.


One layer of the scarf should be stenciled.  For this project stencil each end.  Now, cut out the pattern. Clip the fabric in the center, then work your way around the edges of the stencilled line with your scissors. Then, lay your scarf on a cookie sheet and carefully use a QTip to go around the inner edges of the fabric with bleach. Let the bleach sit for awhile, and then quickly rinse it out in the sink under running cold water. Let it dry flat. The bleach makes for a great weathered look. You could use fabric dye, or even a sharpie if it co-ordinates better with your colors.



Then use embroidery floss to sew it all together. I thought the light pink looked great with the bleached out edges. Pin the two pieces of fabric together.  Start at your stenciled cut out.  I made sure to begin and end my floss at the bottom of each leaf.  This makes for a pretty back of the scarf.




   And just look at how cute this turned out!  The knit will not fray, so I just hand sewed leaving raw edges.  I like how they curl and show the color of the fabric on the reverse.

You can see the pretty back side of the scarf on the right.  I love the knots and chunky stitches.  I hope you make one, if you do, be sure to link back! 
This just may be a girls day out project.  Thank You, Alabama Chanin for the inspiration! 

22 comments:

Denise @ Life on Stepping Stone Lane said...

Very clever! (as usual!)

Wendy said...

This is such a cool idea! Thanks!

Wendy said...

Hey Joy, in regards to me, we really have no Pitt connection other than my hubby grew up loving ~ mildly put ~ the Steelers (starting in the '70's). His enthusiasm rubbed off on me and the rest is history. He's always wanted to go to a game so for our 10th anniversary I told him we were going (and had Jennifer ~ Hope Studios, make a cool Steeler's themed frame). Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and we were unable to fly out (20 + inches of snow, wind and closed airports don't really work well for travel plans). So, next season hopefully.

Anne said...

So pretty! I love the handstitching on the old tees!

I featured your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-reverse-applique-scarf-from-old-t-shirts/2010/01/07/

--Anne

Sandra said...

This is adorable! I love the way you reversed out the pattern by using the green on the back. I can't wait to make one.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

That turned out so cute, I may have to make one. Thanks so much for the how-to, I'll be linking.

Jennifer Juniper said...

I love it, I'm going to make one!!!

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

congrats on your feature! The scarf is great and now I am reminded of your corsage scarf that I had wanted to make and forgot! Time to get on that!
~Nancy

the treat girl said...

SUPER.DUPER.CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta be trying one soon!!!

Lisa said...

This is SO pretty! I love this idea! Great job!

Ashleigh said...

That's awesome! Very creative. You should make these as gifts! A labor of love. :)

Anne said...

What a clever idea - I never would have thought to do that! I'm bookmarking this for a rainy day. ;)

Sabrina said...

What an original idea...now if only I could sew!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Fabulous! Very clever - you did an amazing job!

Angie Holden said...

So pretty and too cool!! Thanks!

Lori P said...

That is so darn cute! I just came over from Hope Studios. Love your ideas. :)

Tausha said...

I love love love this! I have a fetish with scarves, especially unique ones. I think that I might just have to try this. Thanks for the inspiration! You rock girlfriend!!

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

this is unbelievably awesome. like, i would probably attempt to steal it from you, were i ever to encounter you in real life. :)

Unknown said...

This is adorable! I love the way you reversed out the pattern by using the green on the back. I can't wait to make one.

Funny Teeshirts

gigi123 said...

Very cute! you did an awesome job :)

Cathy Savage said...

Nice! Like the scarf! I have the book too and have made a bandana, but haven't used the bleach method. Cool.

Unknown said...

So cute...one of my sons just left a pile of t-shirts he doesn't want and I can't wait to get busy with them!