Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Singer Sessions, Vol IV: A Bow to The Rocking Pony

After months of admiring the cute and cool shirts made by Karen of The Rocking Pony and sold in her Etsy store, I decided to see if I could attempt a tie shirt for Sean to wear on St. Patty's day. After all, his middle name is Patrick, he should dress to the nines on his Saint Day.

I took a hand-me-down green shirt we had and found some cool fabric with little bugs on it. I cut out two pieces- one for the knot and the other for the body of the tie. Since I don't have a serger, I thought I needed to fold the edges over to sew down so it wouldn't unravel. Did that and ironed them down. I also used fabric glue to tack the whole thing to the shirt. That's when I noticed that I didn't quit have the knot the right size to line up perfectly with the other part. Did I fix this? NO, I said "It's handmade! This gives it character!"



I sat on my hands waited until the next day to sew around the edges so that the glue would be dry. I did fairly well at sewing it down, only ran off the edge once. LOL I think it is on there snuggly, but I really like the look of serged edges better.



I did roughly the same process to make an initial tee for Eleanor. Only hers took a lot more cutting, folding and sewing. It might be on there a bit crooked, too.



Having given it a go, I am thinking that it would of been nice to splurge for a shirt at The Rocking Pony. I have my eye on those monster shirts, so maybe I can get one of those for Easter. I mean, maybe Sean can get one. And Aidan too, he was disappointed that I didn't make him one.

8 comments:

Karen said...

Those are darling - you done good! Here's a hint: I don't have a serger either. I use the zigzag stitch. And I don't bother folding edges under. They fray a tad but it's the character thing going on. I cut, pin, and sew. It's that easy. You can make a monster shirt easily, you know. You do good work.

JennyH said...

Great work. Karen does have lots of eye candy, doesn't she?!

Jennifer said...

I'm impressed! That looks like it took a lot of work!

Brandie said...

Bravo! Great shirts. I've been eyeing up her shirts too!

Sarah said...

cute! he'll look awesome for St. Pat's day. My tip for this type of thing is to use fuseable adhesive... you iron it on the back of your fabric, cut out your design, peel the backing paper off, iron it to your shirt (or whatever) and then you can sew around the edge. no folding over. the sewing is then really only decorative because the webbing (adhesive) will keep that piece of fabric down tight. there are a few pictures on my craft blog where i have used this technique... i'll look for them.

Sarah said...

here's one link with pictures... the "5" pillow and the word Jack were both done the way i described. http://rumtumcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-present-makin-christmas-past.html
oh- and there is no waiting! i am totally impatient, so i can completely understand you having to sit on your hands!
heres another picture of a shirt i made for my little friend cate http://www.flickr.com/photos/22709658@N07/2353470604/in/set-72157603689595808/

SunflowerStories said...

Ah! Thanks for the info about the fusable fabric stuff! That will make it easier, I am sure. I love the set you made for Cate! I have a white tee for Ella that I plan on putting a butterfly on to match her soft sole shoes. Even bought the fabric- so now it's off to get the fusable stuff.

Kim said...

I am so going to copy you! Those shirts are way too cute!