Re-cut Vintage Tee: The Rolling Stones

I took a little break from blogging due to a busy travel schedule...I'm sure you all have waited with bated breath for this latest post!  :)

Here's another DIY Re-cut tee shirt how-to!  This style re-cut is my basic go-to style.  It's really easy and doesn't take much time.  You can embellish a little, a lot, or just leave it basic.  I added a little detail to the top.

To start:  you need a cool tee shirt that is boxy and probably too big for you.  Here are 3 tees I bought at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  You can check out how I re-cut and styled the other 2 here.

 Here's the Rolling Stones World tour tee.

View from the back.

With the added extras: bias tape for the straps and 3/4" strips of silk organza.

Cut off bottom section for waist band--I cut about 5", but you can make it larger or shorter depending on how big you want it and how billowy you want the shirt.

Measure your waist--pull it taut and cut off the extra.

Sew together the seam 1/2 inch in using a zig zag stitch.

Cut off arms....

...And neck ringer.

Fold in half and cut neck at gentle slope, as pictured.  I used fabric chalk to draw the line of the slope.

Fold down and press the arm seam 1/4" and sew with zig zag stitch.

Fold down and press the top and back seams 1/4"....

...Then fold down again another 1" (approximately--this depends on how thick your tie will be).  Fasten with pins (which I rarely use, so it definitely needs it here).  Sew along bottom edge of fold approx. 1/4" from seam.

Press seams.

This is the only slightly tricky part:  mark or place pins in both the waist band and the top at 4 evenly spaced places--sides and front and back are the easiest.  Place the waist band on outside of shirt, right sides together and match up pins or marks.  Note: the waistband is smaller than the top.  When you sew them together you will have to pull on the waist band to stretch to fit in the top.  Tee shirt fabric does a wonderful job of this and it gives it a nice, slightly gathered look.  It does not have to be perfect!

I sewed the silk organza strips along the top with a zig zag stitch for a little detail.  Be creative and do your own thing!

Fasten safety pin to end of your tie (I used bias tape but you can use anything).  Push through opening in seams along the front...

...Then loop it around to the back seam.

And tie it off at shoulder!

A little outfit I styled with it:  J Brand Veruka bootcut jeans, leather and metal Foley + Corinna bag, Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, Tom Ford "Alexei" sunglasses, guitar string bracelet cuff.
 

Let me know if you decide to re-cut a shirt or have any questions!

Re-cut Vintage Tee: M.C. Escher

To continue my Re-Cut Tee series, here is my M.C. Escher tee.  The vintage tee shirt guy I bought these from told me that this shirt cost more because it's "Escher--very famous artist".  Like I wouldn't know who this fabulous, genius is!  Not to mention, surrealist art is being recognized again--probably thanks in part to films like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.  I think I kept this Escher tee in character--Escherizing it!
 

Very cool graphic.
 

The shirt was XL, so I had some fabric to work with.
 

I folded it off-center in the front and drew on a sewing line with marking chalk.  I then sewed a running stitch down the line, starting an inch below the neckline and ending at the bottom hem.
 

I cut open the folded section that I had just sewed.  Then I cut both sleeves off, narrowing the shirt.  I re-sewed the sides to make it more fitted.
 

To finish, I added 5 inches of elastic to the inside side seams, holding it taut as I used a zigzag stitch to create a ruching effect.  I then turned the neck and sleeve seams over to finish the edges--also with a zigzag stitch.
 

And of course, styled it into a cute little outfit.  Jacket (my own) from Forever 21.  Shoes and shorts from Modcloth.  Vintage purse from Gumby Girl.  G-shock watch.  Carerra Sunglasses.

Re-cut Vintage Tee: Led Zeppelin (Best Rock Band Ever)

Last week I posted pictures I took of the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  I had bought some vintage tees and said I would re-cut them and post what I've made.  I started with a tee from my favorite rock band, Led Zeppelin.  I'll show how I created the shirt and then put an outfit together.

These are the tees that I bought.
 

The before shot.   Don't worry, I'll take good care of you.
 

I folded the shirt in half and cut a V for the neckline.  Then I cut the side seams off at the sleeve seams.
 

Ok, so I had made a mistake when I cut the V for the front and had it folded so the back also cut a V.  So, I improvised--I cut a seam in the back to shorten the V and make the top more fitted.
 

I cut one shoulder more narrow than the other and angled the bottom hem for an asymmetrical affect.  Then I simply sewed the shoulder seams and side seams together.  To finish it off I hemmed the raw edges by turning them and using a Z stitch.  The imperfections keep the rocker-look (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).
 

I found this great lace at Mood Fabrics in LA to add to the edges.
 

I sewed the lace to the edges and here is my finished product.
 

Here is an outfit I styled for my shirt.  I just bought a pair of JBrand skinny cargos that I just love and I can't wait to wear my shirt with it.  I also included Modcloth shoes, Numero 10 bag, vintage  fedora by Gumby Girl and Judy Lee vintage bracelet by Archive Vintage.