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DIY Under $5: Ruching Shirt Refashion in 10 Minutes

April 6, 2011 By Michelle Barneck 21 Comments

Do you have a shirt that is a little too big, too long, or just needs a little flavor? You are gonna love this little 10 minute shirt ruching refashion.

Did I mention that it will cost you $1.50?!

Supplies:
  • shirt
  • coordinating thread
  • elastic thread ($1.50)
  • sewing machine

All you do is hand wind the elastic thread on the bobbin. Put the coordinating thread on the machine and through the needle as usual, turn your shirt inside out and sew using a large baste stitch along the existing seams. I stitched from 4 inches down from the arm pit to the bottom. Be sure to back stitch at the top and bottom to keep it more secure. It is sooo easy!

I got the elastic thread idea from my friend Amanda, who was awesome enough to let me borrow hers. She has a more detailed tutorial on how to use it to make a cute ruffly scarf.


My sweet sis Jen sewing away. 🙂

Before<————————–> After

It made it a few inches shorter and more fitted. I love that it hides the things I don’t want to display (namely post baby bulges and that odd poker from my jeans’s waistband that makes me look like I have an outie belly button.) and made my super long shirt a more flattering length (look at my elbows in both pics for a reference point on how much shorter). I’ll totally be debuting this baby at the Creative Estates conference this weekend.

I have not washed it yet, so I’m not sure how that will go, but this shirt is hand wash only so I’m sure it will be fine.

So now it’s time to link up!

Please remember:

  • Only link to your own projects that cost you $5 or less (price does not have to include items you had on hand)
  • You can link past projects that fit the dollar limit
  • Please link back so others can join the party

DIY under $5

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Filed Under: DIY under $5, Refashion/Upcycle, Sewing, Tutorials

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Comments

  1. sweetaimee says

    April 6, 2011 at 6:55 am

    super cute!! I love it thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kitty says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Love this idea! Im totally going to have to try this one!

    Reply
  3. Leanne says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Very Cute! See you at Creative Estates.

    Reply
  4. Kristina P. says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:03 am

    Look at you! You look adorable!

    Reply
  5. Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Love the shirt! I can’t find elastic thread anywhere. It’s maddening.

    Have fun at Creative Estates. Can’t wait to hear about the conference.

    Reply
  6. Heather says

    April 6, 2011 at 11:20 am

    Great way to add more shelf life to your clothes! I have SO many shirts that are just too long. And I’m 5’2 and half of me looks like I’m wearing a short dress half the time.

    Reply
  7. Jen says

    April 6, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    What a great idea for a shirt that doesn’t fit quite right. Love the new look.

    Reply
  8. Michelle @ Loving Every Second says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    Cute! Although I don’t have a problem with shirts being too long – I have THE longest torso!

    Reply
  9. wifemomwoman says

    April 8, 2011 at 8:06 am

    i have a bunch of shirts that are too big for me now that the post baby weight is finally going away. this would be a perfect way to be able to wear them again!

    Reply
  10. c.w.frosting says

    April 9, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    what a great party! found you from “a law students journey”

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

    Reply
  11. wifemomwoman says

    April 11, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    ok. i tried it today and posted a pic on my blog. love it!

    Reply
  12. veronica says

    April 12, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    This is so cute! And so simple! And so genius! I must now go in search of elastic thread.

    Reply
  13. Michelle says

    May 7, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    As usual, what takes other people 10 minutes stretched to over an hour for me… but I finally figured out what to do to fix my problem of the elastic not gathering (so maybe my next one truly will take only 10 minutes!) and thought I’d share in case anyone else with a drop-in bobbin was having the same problem. Here’s the link: Creative Heart: Shirring Problems

    Thanks for the great idea, though. I’m new to your blog but I will be back for more!

    Reply
  14. Jen says

    May 13, 2011 at 11:14 am

    I have that shirt and you just made me love it more, I’m going to find elastic thread this weekend so I can do that!

    Reply
  15. Danielle says

    May 26, 2011 at 11:47 am

    I love all your re-purposing. I am now your newest follower:>

    Reply
  16. BluKatDesign handmade artisan jewelry says

    May 30, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I am short and curvy; I always wanted to do this but didn’t really know how; thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    June 19, 2011 at 9:21 am

    This is such a good idea! I am going to try this on a shirt today. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  18. Pamela says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Love this idea. I have one that needs shortened. Your blog is amazing and I’m happy I “found” you.

    Blessings,
    Pamela

    Reply
  19. Erica says

    September 17, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    I have been meaning to do this with several of my shirts. Didn’t think about elastic thread. I was going to use 1/4 inch elastic. I have an existing shirt that us d the elastic. Might be helpful for those that can’t find elastic thread!

    Reply
  20. Pam says

    December 31, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    I was SO excited to see this post. I recently bought a shirt and debated between two sizes. Went with
    the larger and after wearing for the first time, wished I had gone with the smaller. Trying to figure out how to make it shorter or more fitted……BUT, I had trouble with the elastic threat. I adjusted the tension on the bobbin, adjust the top tension……got the shirt done, but the stitching is pretty loose, not sure how long it
    will last. Love the idea, wish it had worked better on my shirt.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fat Bottom Girls Chords Blog says:
    November 17, 2017 at 8:52 am

    Center Ruching And Side Shirring

    […] the machine and through the needle as usual, turn your shirt inside out and sew […]

    Reply

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Hi there! I'm Michelle. Mother of three little boys and one little princess. Welcome to A Little Tipsy, a place for exploring creativity and sharing inspiration.

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