Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Fifteen Minute Toddler Tank


This is my new favorite thing to do: embellish a little toddler Target tank top with a neck ruffle.

1. Get a strip of fabric about two inches wide, give or take, and twice the length from shoulder to shoulder of the tank top. It doesn't even have to be cut on the bias. Just a strip cut straight across the fabric works. (This looks just fine not going all the way around the back, I promise. I didn't continue the ruffle around because I knew my daughter's hair would probably hit right at the top of the ruffle).

2. Anyway, sew a basting stitch from one end of the fabric strip to the other, then pull your thread to gather the strip (or use your preferred method of gathering).

3. Pin one end of your gathered strip to one shoulder, and continue pinning along the neckline until you reach the other shoulder, adjusting the gathers as you go.

4. Then sew along the ribbed neckline. Et, voila! Seriously, this took 15 minutes only because I was watching the Tori & Dean marathon in the background. Let me know if you have any questions.


25 comments:

Michelle said...

did you finish the edges? if so how?
really cute!!!

Unknown said...

Love this! I am a new follower of your blog. If you get a chance, come over and register for my SewMamaSew blog giveaway!

Alison said...

adorable! Oh, how I need a sewing machine!!!

Ashlee said...

Thanks everybody! Michelle -- I didn't finish the edges. I just let them fray a little in the wash. You do have to trim some loose threads after washing, but that's it.

Anne said...

I've been wanting to learn how! thanks!

Chrissy said...

What an easy way to cheer up a plain tank! I've posted a link to this at One Crafty Place. Thanks for sharing!

Veronica said...

I love it! So cute!!!

dana said...

Very fun idea. thanks for sharing!

nap time journal said...

This is so cute!

As for driving the 2 year old to the beach...can I come with and I'll drive!!! haha

Have a gret day!

nap time journal said...

I ment GREAT day :)

kristena marie said...

Very cute!!! :)

Anne said...

Great idea!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing blog:
http://www.onecraftyplace.com/2009/05/28/how-to-make-a-ruffled-tank/
--Anne

amybluestar said...

So cute! Congratulations - I saw you on Craft Gossip with this project!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

I love this! I am so doing this to one of mine! I'll be linking.

Jules said...

crazy cute. love, love, love it. have a stack of the tanks ready for some cuteness.
thanks!

Embellished Bayou said...

Too cute! I am going to make one to coordinate with the ruffle-butt onesie from Crap I've Made here:
http://crapivemade.blogspot.com/2009/05/ruffle-butt.html

Made In The South said...

Hi..found you on Susie Harris Blog"Bienvenue". I love your little tanks, so cute. Will be back to visit.

Unknown said...

very cute.
i set a link to your posting.
i hope you'll agree.

thanks, doro.

Kristy said...

Hey there Ashlee,

This is Kristy from Hernanamer. You've won that Lush scrap pack you were lusting after! Congratulations! Shoot me an email with your mailing address and I'll be sending the fabric love your way via US postal service. Thank you for entering my giveaway! I'd love to see what you make. You have a lovely blog, by the way, I'll be keeping up with you =)

Congrats, again!
Kristy

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Your project was also featured on The Bargainista Today!! :)

http://cheapfashionblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/ruffles-ruffles-everywhere.html

Embellished Bayou said...

Thanks again for posting this! Here's the one I made:
http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2009/06/two-too-cute-sewing-creations.html

B.jane said...

Yum! Love this! I too run a crafty little blog over at bjanebrewing.blogspot.com

beki said...

This is so cute! Gathered ruffles are my new favorite thing to embellish with.

Embellished Bayou said...

Girl, I am STILL havin' so much fun making these! Wait until you see the two I made today...so cute! I'll do a blog post soon. Thanks again so much for this idea/tutorial!

Amberlina and Monkies said...

Will it fray every time you wash it? Do you just cut the fabric with scissors? Thanks!