D.I.Y. Hijab Fashion Feature

Cheap Chic

What with the credit crunch there’s never been a better time for some cheap D.I.Y. fashion, and what better place to start than a t-shirt. Any t-shirt will do, printed or plain, long or short sleeved. The key is to get one that is super loose.

This tutorial will take you step by step through the process of customizing. But why stop there, let your imagination run wild and create unique masterpieces! And if you don’t quite get it right, there’s always a supply of unwanted old t-shirts in thrift stores of dads/hubbys wardrobe- just make sure you get permission!

Tools for Customizing

All you really need is a sewing machine (only the really skilled would take this on hand stitching!). Everything else can be substituted.

Here I used 2 cutting mats, but you only really need one at least A4 size (you can also use thick card).

Thread in whatever colour takes your fancy!

A metal ruler and cutting wheel. You can use scissors and a steady hand, if you do it’s probably best to mark on the inside exactly where you’re cutting.

For draping and pinning tailors dummys or mannequins are great. I was lucky enough to find this one on ebay in almost my exact measurements. If you do a lot of clothes making it’s a worthy investment. Even if it’s not your exact size, shove a leotard or underwear on it and pad it out with blanket wadding. You can end up with a very accurate body.

1. The first thing I did was to cut about 7cm into the shoulder seam from the neck, this allows it to drape to one side and gives you an interesting shape to work with.

2. Next start pinning thin tucks horizontally across the t-shirt, the length can vary (these ones were roughly 12cm long)

3. Once you’ve figured out where you want to put your pins (remember you can always change them later) you can add the knotted detail. You don’t have to have it in the same place as I put it, but I really like the way it shapes the bottom of the t-shirt.

Prepare by placing a cutting mat inside the t-shirt (between the front and back layers), this prevents you cutting through both sides, unless that’s the look you want. Now for the point of no return! Cutting in to the fabric, take a deep breath and remember it’s only a t-shirt ! Cut 3 slashes into the fabric, the slits I cut were roughly 13cm long and spaced about 3cm apart.

4. Take the bottom edge of the slit closest to the hem, bring it underneath both the newly cut strips of t-shirt to the top edge. Now pin it into place, you can either just pin it straight on top (as above) or for a neater finish treat it like a seam and get the right sides together and pin close to the edge though both layers from the wrong side. (It sounds more complicated than it is I promise!)

5. Don’t stitch until you’re absolutely sure of what you’ve pinned, you can always unpick if you get it wrong but jersey fabric is very tricky to unpick without unraveling the whole t-shirt!

Stitch the tucks as close to the edge as you dare to go for a more professional look.

6. Stitch closed the slashed edge that you pinned in step 4, don’t worry if you don’t stitch corner to corner, it’s just to keep it in place once it’s knotted

Finally tie each of the strips in ‘loop’ knots (I don’t know the correct term), pull them fairly tight so they won’t come undone. Then cut the thread ends, for a professional finish pull the thread ends through to the wrong side and tie them so all the knots and ends are on the inside of the t-shirt and won’t show.

For the finishing touches roll up the sleeves 80’s style! This stops it looking baggy and makes it look as though it was made to be oversized. You can even run a stitch (by hand) through the rolled sleeve to keep it in place.

Et voila! Credit Crunch Couture- One ready to rock customized t-shirt, this is just a starting point looking at ways to recycle big old t-shirts. You can develop the idea taking out or leaving in any of the steps I did, you can even add fabric paint, stenciled patterns, studs, diamante, whatever you like. You’ll end up with something truly unique!

If you have any questions about the steps or technical details you can leave comments below. Don’t forget to let me know what you think, I love hearing your opinions!

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