Wednesday, July 27, 2011

diy: linen tee update

Inspired by this, I did a quick revamp on a ghastly-fitting J. Crew linen tee:


Behold the before.  See how it does nothing for me?


I just stitched on a bit of lovely gold trim at the top of the pocket, and to make the most of the ample, drapey fabric, I cut and sewed a curved hem (something I can't stop doing, as you'll soon see).  The new shape gives the fabric some much-needed swing.

This is the type of low-commitment, high-satisfaction project I'm going to try to do more of from now on.  When I first learned to sew, I became characteristically wild-eyed.  Hell yeah, why would I buy a trench coat when I could just make one?  Heh!  After some notable failures in the early days, I've accepted this fact: I just don't have the patience to produce, from scratch, a garment that I would actually want to wear.  I give couturiers serious props, but I'm happy to leave the heavy stuff to the pros.

But still, I need to make things.  I like sewing, just not for hours at a time.  And this is where a project like this one is such a treat: no fretting about precision, no grand technique.  Just a bit of hand-sewing and an easy hem, neat and simple, the way I like it.

22 comments:

  1. What a delightful idea! A DIY that even my completely undexterous fingers could handle. I like it :-)

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  2. I adore this idea! I think I'll have to try it out!

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  3. You totatlly changed the look with one little detail! Awesome!

    GTBB,
    http://www.badjoan.com
    http://www.badjoan.blogspot.com

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  4. Nice job, looks awesome!

    http://www.fashionhacks.blogspot.com/

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  5. You did a total revamp! This is not even the same article of clothing - it was so lame before, and in the second picture you look like a J.Crew ad! Kudos!
    The Internet Garbage

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  6. I really like how simple and easy this little update is

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  7. Great idea! Follow you now!
    Thanks for your lovely comment!

    Kisses from Hong Kong,
    Nicole

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  8. ooo it looks great!!!
    good job. love the trim
    xo
    francesca

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  9. That's a pretty amazing transformation :O It fits so lovely in the second photo. And I love what you did with the pocket :P Just lovely.

    Yasmeen
    Castle Fashion

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  10. Absolutely LOVE what you did with the hem here! Did you just eyeball it or did you follow the curve of something you already have? It really truly transforms the t-shirt in the perfect way. I would love to try this. And I'm glad you liked the miki and nora jewelry too, those spike earrings are pretty heavy in real life, but I actually love that because they feel substantial and not flimsy at all.

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

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  11. The curved hem is so cool! J Crew should buy that design from you.

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  12. nice work... i love it!! it's incredible what a simple little touch can do!

    xoxo grace
    stripesandsequins.com

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  13. Great idea ! Makes it so stylish ! xoxo

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  14. What a great and seemingly simple DIY! :D I love the pocket detailing!

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  15. I love this.
    Such a great idea!!

    x

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  16. I'm totally with you when it comes to sewing, I love the idea of making something from scratch but I don't have the patience for it. Little DIY projects like this tee are more my style and I love how something as simple as changing the hem and adding trim can transform this drab tee into a chic summer top! =D

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  17. Wow I LOVE what you did here! You totally turned around this tee - I love the curved hem and the pocket detail...you have a great eye! I just found your blog and love it :)

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  18. I love how you personalized your pocket tee. Totally unique!

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  19. Thanks so much for your lovely comments!

    @Nomadic D.
    I just started cutting along a line that looked reasonable but conservative...tried it on...repeated until it looked right to me.

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  20. your amazing with what you do to transform clothing.

    xo
    kaitlin

    kaitgirl.blogspot.com

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  21. daaang what a cute detail to add to a simple tee!!

    <3Amanda
    feast.fashion.faves

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