DIY | Rodeo Fringed Shirt

Can this really be called a rodeo shirt? A cowboy shirt maybe? I don't know, but it's fun to wear and dead easy to make.

I began with a t-shirt but actually decided that the fringing looked better on a shirt. I'd already taken the photos before I changed my mind though, and actually, it's easier to see it on a t-shirt.

Ingredients:

• About 40cm of fringing, although this will vary depending on the width of the shoulders and on how deep you want the V at the back to be.
• A shirt

Plus

• Pins
• Tailor's chalk
• Matching thread
• Needle or sewing machine

1. First thing's first, try on the shirt and mark with pins where you want the fringing to start. I'd recommend starting pretty high up on the shoulders. Then begin to sketch with tailor's chalk a line between the two shoulders.

2. Mark lightly where you want to sew the fringing, curving down to a point in the middle. Fold in the middle of the t-shirt to make sure you get the point centred correctly.

3. Tuck the raw edge of the fringing under...

...and then continue to pin it along the line you've just drawn.

4. Fold the fringing around the centre point.

Pro tip : slide a piece of cardboard into the middle of the t-shirt to make it easier to pin the fringing on without getting the pins through both sides.

5. Once the fringing is pinned into place, sew it down with zig zag stitch, or, alternatively you can hand sew it.

Pro tip 2: If your shirt is delicate, like mine was, sew each edge of the fringing securely to the arm seams on either side. This will help prevent the weight of the fringing from dragging down the shirt at the back.

And you're done!

DIY | Sleeveless Men's Shirt

Menswear (shirts)

+

Womenswear (shapes)

à la Caroline Issa (right)

Here's my take on the sleeveless shirt:

A guy friend of mine was recently moving house and throwing stuff out along the way. He had an old cotton shirt that was a bit stained under the arms and whose collar was starting to fray. It was heading for the bin when I saved it for some DIY regeneration! 

By unpicking the collar and sleeves the shirt becomes much more structured and really pretty smart looking (read: no longer an old, man's shirt that you threw on coz it's comfy). It also counters the two main problems you come across in old shirts - wear on the collar and cuffs, and underarm staining - which make an otherwise perfect shirt scruffy and unwearable.

Ingredients:

• 1 man's shirt

Plus:

• Ripper
• Scissors
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine optional

Rip the seams at the collar and arms.

Shirt Worn Backwards

Appart from the crazy...tiara? she's also wearing her shirt backwards. Inspired or deluded? Well, it's certainly not for everyone, but you have to admire the creativity (and daring)!

Image from honestlywtf.com