• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Keeping it Simple

creating simple crafts, DIY, recipes and more

  • About Me
  • Advertise
  • Buttons
  • Contact Me
  • Keeping it Simple Designs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Tutorials
  • Home Decor & DIY
  • Recipes
  • Holiday Crafts
  • Gaming & Geek Crafts
  • Printables
  • Kids Crafts
  • Sewing
  • Vinyl Crafts

T-shirt to cardigan

May 15, 2012 by Kaysi 41 Comments

There is something about spring that makes me what a completely new wardrobe.  I just want something new and fresh.  Since I don’t have the money to get a new wardrobe, I guess refashioning shirts will have to work for now :).  I saw this idea and wanted to do it!
Photobucket
This is how I made it:
I took a shirt.  I got this one for $1 at Walmart.
Photobucket
I cut the shirt in the middle. 
Photobucket
I cut off the sleeves and then cut them into  1 1/2″ strips.
Photobucket
I sewed all the strips together and then made them ruffly.
Photobucket
I pinned the ruffles onto the shirt and then sewed it on.  
Photobucket
And that’s it!  Super easy and quick.  Now I have something to wear over my cute tank tops πŸ™‚Photobucket

I have made several of these.

Here is a turquoise one that took only 15 minutes to make!  I just hemmed the middle and put some rosettes on the side.

Photobucket

And a grey one.  I did it just like my brown one but added a couple more ruffles to the sides, so there are 3 ruffles on each side, not just one down the middle.
pic.twitter.com/Lys6hl2B

 
Like what you see? Then follow along!
 
Keeping It Simple Photobucket Keeping It Simple
Keeping It Simple

Photobucket

Filed Under: clothing, girls, refashion, sewing, shirt, tutorial, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « Plum District GIVEAWAY!!
Next Post: Phone holder for running »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karima

    May 15, 2012 at 9:13 am

    That is one of the best t-shirt transformations I have seen – great job!

    Log in to Reply
  2. Kelley @ TheGrantLife.com

    May 15, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Super cute! I love how you take something plain and turn it into something fab! πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  3. Melissa

    May 15, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    Super cute! I'll have to go see if I can find a $1 shirt at Walmart so I can make one too! πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  4. farmhouse mama

    May 15, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Cute! What a great idea for all those t-shirts in my closet that have become a bit too tight. πŸ™‚ Sewing is easier than dieting!

    Log in to Reply
  5. laxsupermom

    May 15, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    I love all your t-shirt transformations! Such clever ideas! Thanks for sharing.

    Log in to Reply
  6. meijo's JOY

    May 15, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    The 2nd one is the cutest! That color is really make you glow too!

    Log in to Reply
  7. Just Jaime

    May 15, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I've been wanting an update for my spring wardrope too! Great idea! I want to try it!

    Log in to Reply
  8. Macradabra MacramΓ©

    May 15, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Great idea!!

    Log in to Reply
  9. DallyGirl @ Lifeat2810

    May 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Ok, I am headed to the store to find me some great colored t-shirts. You rock!

    Log in to Reply
  10. Ty and Whitty

    May 15, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    you are always amazing me with your clothing makes. love it

    Log in to Reply
  11. Motivated Mommy of two

    May 15, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    This is aweseme I wish I was so creative like you and could make my own clothe.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door

    May 15, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    VERY cute and creative!

    Log in to Reply
  13. Jenny @ The NY Melrose Family

    May 16, 2012 at 12:37 am

    Love it. I love the addition of the ruffles. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays.

    Log in to Reply
  14. BeeSewSweet

    May 16, 2012 at 1:05 am

    I love this! They look adorable and it doesn't sound too difficult. I can't wait to give it a try.

    Log in to Reply
  15. Lora

    May 16, 2012 at 1:07 am

    wow! that's such a creative idea! i love it. πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  16. Danielle Wagasky

    May 16, 2012 at 4:05 am

    I love this! I do this to my shirts too!

    Log in to Reply
  17. Mandy

    May 16, 2012 at 4:41 am

    Love this idea! Turned out fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing at Project Queen's Link Party.

    Log in to Reply
  18. eltocadordecenicienta

    May 16, 2012 at 8:42 am

    This is perfect for all that tshirts that doesnΒ΄t fit me anymore but I still like. thank you very much for sharing!
    XOXO Olgaβ™₯
    El tocador de Cenicienta

    Log in to Reply
  19. Our House Story

    May 16, 2012 at 11:58 am

    What a cute idea! I'm even thinking I could take a long sleeve cardigan and transform it into a short sleeve ruffle one! Thanks for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
  20. maarnietvangrijs

    May 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Love this idea, deffinitely will try this!! Thank you for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
  21. Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers

    May 16, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    I love how your refashions turned out… it's definitely got my gears turning, since I'm pretty sure I have a few shirts in my closet that I could make into cardigans. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Log in to Reply
  22. DaenelT

    May 17, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Genius!

    Log in to Reply
  23. Kristin

    May 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    I am in love with cardigans and never seem to want to spend over $20 so this is the perfect solution! Thank you for the awesome idea =)

    Visiting from HoH

    Log in to Reply
  24. Anshu

    May 17, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Great refashions!
    I linked up here:
    http://sewprettysewfree.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-vest-from-tshirt.html

    Log in to Reply
  25. Michelle

    May 18, 2012 at 3:21 am

    So Cute! I must try this!! It might be something even I can make!

    Log in to Reply
  26. Jenilyn

    May 18, 2012 at 7:28 am

    I can't believe that was a $1 shirt! I would love for you to link these up to "I Made This" at Grits & Giggles! http://www.gritsandgiggles.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-made-this-5.html

    Log in to Reply
  27. Hani@Craftionary

    May 18, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    This is so cool.. Love the blue one, it's so summery and fun.. πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  28. Bunch of Bishops

    May 19, 2012 at 5:47 am

    I love this! I featured you on my blog today. Thank you for the inspiration!

    http://bishopsfamilysite.blogspot.com/2012/05/inspiration-for-weekend.html

    Blessings!
    Janiene

    Log in to Reply
  29. Life With Lucy

    May 21, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    This is so great! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
  30. Crafty Cousins

    May 21, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    How fun! I love the colors. I'd love for you to link it up to Crafty Cousins. http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-i-wore-sunday-week-16.html

    ~Natalie

    Log in to Reply
  31. Crystelle Boutique

    May 21, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Adorable!!!!
    You have the cutest sewing ideas on here!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
  32. Misty @Creative Itch

    May 21, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Fabulous refashion, Kaysi!

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

    Log in to Reply
  33. Micah and Katie

    May 22, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Thanks for the idea. After this baby (2 weeks to go) I will have some t-shirts that will need a redo!

    Log in to Reply
  34. Leslie

    May 23, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    I love this idea! You always make the cutest clothes! I featured this on hoo's got talent! Thanks for linking up to the party!!!!

    Log in to Reply
  35. amy and jesse hudson

    May 25, 2012 at 1:53 am

    Kaysi, I think this is phenomenal! I love that you can truly create any kind of cardigan your heart desires by putting your sewing skills to use!

    I'm featuring you at this week's Drab to Fab party!

    http://www.amynjesse.com/2012/05/drab-to-fab-link-up-features.html

    Come check it out, and link up more of what you have been doing! Have a great one!

    Amy @ Sugar and Spice

    Log in to Reply
  36. Karen at Bargain-ista.com

    May 25, 2012 at 4:03 am

    Adorable! I love them all! Looks like a new wardrobe to me πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  37. Sarah

    May 25, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    Kaysi, I love how those all turned out!!! I may need to try this! Thanks for the inspiration πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply
  38. maarnietvangrijs

    May 26, 2012 at 7:38 am

    I made one for my little lady: http://maarnietvangrijs.blogspot.com/2012/05/verknippen-voor-blote-schoudertjes.html
    She loves it!!

    Log in to Reply
  39. Megan

    May 28, 2012 at 12:35 am

    thanks for linking up last week! your tutorial was the #1 clicked on link and featured! πŸ™‚ http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2012/05/make-it-monday-33.html

    Log in to Reply
  40. Rachel Ward

    May 28, 2012 at 2:44 am

    This is such a great idea! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  41. amy & lisa

    July 23, 2012 at 1:54 am

    I just made my first cardigan from you tutorial! Great instructions…LOVE my NEW cardigan! πŸ™‚

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright © 2026 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework