DIY Network

Tying the Knot Think you can't get married in your T-shirt? Think again! From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-201

Megan Nicolay and her sisters, Arianna and Sophie, go all out on their artistic expression, without going overboard on their budget, by transforming T-shirts into wedding wear.

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	T-Shirt Wedding Gown: front view
	T-Shirt Wedding Gown: back view
	Bodice detail

Megan Nicolay, of Generation T, and her sisters begin creating the top portion of their wedding gown by cutting an ordinary white T-shirt into an eye-catching tank top. The front is gathered to create an hourglass shape, and T-shirt strings gather the back and shoulders of the shirt.

Materials:

7 white (or white-patterned) T-shirts (or 3 triple packs of large-size white T-shirts)
ruler
tailor's chalk
scissors or rotary cutter
straight pins
needle
thread
1 red T-shirt sleeve (for the rosettes)

Important: A 50/50 cotton-polyester blend, while not as breathable as pure cotton, will drape better. So think about what you're making so you pick the right T-shirt material.

Steps: The Top

1. Lay a white T-shirt flat and cut off the hem (save it to use in step 12 of the skirt). Cut off only the ends of the sleeves (just above the hem). Cut an additional 2" loop off the bottom of the shirt and set it aside.

Tip: One thing about T-shirts is that they can have a raw edge, so make all cuts straight.

2. Measure 10" down the front of the shirt, starting at the neckband; mark it with a pin and cut a slit, as shown (figure A).

3. Mark a straight line from the bottom of the slit to the bottom of the shirt. Measure that line (x), then cut a strip from the loop cut in step 1 that measures x long by 2" wide. (Save the remaining fabric for step 7.) Center and pin the strip over the chalk line, with both right sides up. Baste along the center of the strip through both layers. Remove pins.

Tip: A basting stitch is a long, straight stitch; it will help to gather the fabric, and it's a lot easier than a short stitch. Don't back-tack when basting, because the threads at the end will be pulled to gather the whole thing together. It's good to have both ends quite long, because you want to work the basting stitch from both ends. If you're working from one end, it's possible to break the stitch. It's great to do the basting stitch in a 4. Pull the thread and push against the fabric to gather the front of the shirt into a slight ruffle (figure B) (this will shorten the length from 14" to about 8"). Sewing along the same line, backstitch it in place.

Figure A

Figure B

5. Tuck the corners of the neckband inside the shirt to create a deep V-neck (figure C). Cut through the sleeve ends (from step 1) to make two 1"-wide strips. Cut off the hem stitching from their edges and tie them in bows around the front of the shoulders, bunching the sleeves (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

6. Turn the shirt over and mark the center back from the neckband to the hem edge. Cut along that line only through the back (figure E).

7. Cut the remainder of the 2" strip in half lengthwise (stretch it so you have two 1"-wide by 34"-long strips). Thread one strip through each armhole, wrap each end once around the sleeve (gathering it in the back), and tie the ends in a bow across the back of the shirt.

8. Twist the two cut edges to the inside and tie the corners together in a knot at the waist.

9. For a better-fitting bodice, poke two small holes 1" in from the two twisted edges on the back and about 5" below the strip you tied in step 7. Thread the remaining 1" strip through the holes, wrap each end once around the twist, send it through the hole again and tie it in the back (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

10. Untie the bottom knot in the back, put the top on, retie the knot and adjust the gathered cap sleeves over your shoulders as desired.

Note: For a better-fitting bodice, poke two small holes 1" from the two twisted edges on the back and about 5" below the strip you tied in step 7. Thread the remaining 1" strip through the holes, wrap each end once around the twist, send it through the hole again and tie it in the back. Untie the bottom knot in the back, put the top on, retie the knot and adjust the gathered cap sleeves over your shoulders as desired. The knot on the bottom keeps the top on you.

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