HOW TO: Refashion a cheapy tee into a skirt

This project is inspired by a HUGE bag load of white blanks that Can't Afford 'Em crafts donated to me in an effort to clear out some un-used materials. These tee's are a very large XXL - quite enough for a simplet skirt. So I went out and bought a test XXL shirt at the salvation army for .99¢ and dug up some used brown paper to draw out a pattern.











I used a worn and loved skirt as the basis for the pattern. I folded the skirt in half - so I made basically a 1/4 quarter pattern which will sit on a folded side and be needed to cut out twice to make the front and back of the skirt.

Then, I snipped up the tee - cut off the arms and up the side seams. You can cut off the neck ribbing as well, so it doesn't interfere with your fabric laying flat when actually cutting.

One of the great things about using an old tee is that you only have to sew the drawstring fold or elastic band and the sides - for the bottom hem, you can use the bottom of the tee shirt and save yourself the time. So I placed the pattern on to the folded shirt and cut this twice.

Tee shirt jersey knits have a back side - much like knitting, so make sure to sew with the right sides together. My test tee had a logo on it - so I am purposely going to sew the wrong sides together so the wrong side is facing out - free of corporate logos.
















Choose a coordinating thread for your seams, or a contrasting one if that is part of your design or embellishment and you want it to stand out. I sewed up one seam, but wanted to do something special. My sewing machine has a slew of decorative stitches so after I sewed up one side, I followed the bottom hem with a nice contrasting decoration [after I, of course, tested the tension and stitch on some scrap fabric from the sleeves I cut off].

Lookin good!

Now just some quicky finishing. I had to scrounge around for some 1/4" elastic that I had from a handmade undie fiasco for the waist band. I measured my waist and then subtracted 5 inches so the elastic would have to stretch.















Stay tuned for more projects using tee's and some new items in my shop!

-Kimm
KimmChi.etsy.com

06_27_09 Treasury

06_27_09 Treasury
Originally uploaded by kimmchi_kimm

CLineCreations was kind enough to include my tee in a picnic themed treasury. Also featured, soaps by Dirty Loves Clean, a custom table cloth by cakehouse, p*Charming's fun utensil charm necklace, A Common Thread's fun plaid wallet, plate by May Luk, MShoelace's picnic card, JesSwitaj gorgeous dress, BeadScarf necklace, A Studio by the Sea glass cupcake necklace, studiopetite's bright sun filled illustration and Lipeony's print of a girl with a big old piece of chocolate cake!.

Delish

I love picnics

Tutorials I have my eye on

old tee shirt panties:
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/06/how-to_make_your_own_panties.html
I've never been able to sucessfully pull this off, but it's worth another go!

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/05/shirred_pillowcase_top.html
would love to experiment with some elastic thread!

http://www.leahkramer.com/craftastic/pillowcaseskirt/
got to love a project you can do in under one hour

and hey! I know her, she just came to our new member meeting the other night

On the Streets of Park Slope

Thanks to all those who came out on Sunday despite the pouring rain to come out and stroll through Park Slope's Seventh Heaven Fair. In past year's they had separated out the Handmade Artists and put us all together, but this year, we were integrated throughout the whole fair. Wabisabi Brooklyn and I were on the same block as Nordea Soaperie, Yaniamor, Collective Elements, Jantar, Journalistic Tendencies and LuCrafts - all Flying their {NewNew} Team banners high:)

KimmChi at Seventh Heaven

View Larger Map

I will be at the Seventh Heaven Street Fair this Sunday - 11am to 6pm on 7th Avenue Between Berkely Street and Union Street. Come stop by!

Artists Statment

My Artists statement for the Atlantic Avenue Art Walk POP Up Shop at 93 Nevins.

Threadbanger covers the Knitta Installation

I'm on the YMI Blog

The YMI blog just featured my Red Paisley with White Flying Lotus tee to go with their flares.

Renegade in Photos

This weekend was the Renegade Craft Fair and thought I'd share some photos.Unique and playful jewelry from Metal Sugar.

New from Wabisabi Brooklyn!

Better Than Jam, Knit Knit and Waisze

My new favroite {NewNew} photo of Mary Savel
And there's more in this flickr set

Photos from the {NewNew} Pop Up shop

KimmChi, Knitknit, Groundsel
Originally uploaded by Adornments NYC

Here's my black skirt with deco swirl and purple top with graffiti flower design with a bag from Groundsel and pin from KnitKnit at our weekend Pop Up shop at 93 Nevins. For a full set of photos - see this flickr set.

The temporary storefront was a partnership with the green development at 93 Nevins which focused on environmentally friendly building and here we focused on environmentally friendly shopping! With artists using recycled elements to create their napkins, placemats and pillows like cakehouse and Alexandra Ferguson as well as those using water based inks in their patterned silkscreen designs like me [kimmchi] and Better Than Jam.

Thanks to all who stopped by for this unique three day event!

-Kimm

Handmade Pop-Up Shop on Nevins off Atlantic

The {NewNew}, will participate in this year's Atlantic Art Walk by highlighting artists that use environmentally-friendly materials in their creations at 93 Nevins Street

Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of open artist studios and area exhibitions, a range of public art projects, special events, with local merchants hosting a range of artwork and events. Our pop-up shop will be open on both days of the Art Walk where participants in the self-guided, curated tour will get a taste of the variety of handmade items that are created in the local community.
Find green gifts made from sustainable materials such as silkscreened apparel, fine art drawings and prints, handmade ceramics, paper goods, plush toys, jewelry and housewares from shops like Cakehouse, Wabisabi Brooklyn, and KnitKnit.

As always, we try to help you shop local within the top tier of craft.

-Kimm
KimmChi.etsy.com

Renegade SALE - Saturday June 6th

I'll be at Renegade this Saturday under The {NewNew} at spot 45. Come by to receive - $5 off any purchase if your carrying your {NewNew} tote bag from our previous event! If you haven't RSVP'ed or purchased one in the past - they will be for sale at the {NewNew} for $5. And You'll receive otherdeals from your local Etsy artists. [see below for more deals!]

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD RENEGADE MAP AS PDF

KimmChi $5 off any purchase - [BOOTH 45, SAT only]
The Original Beadscarf 10% off any purchase [BOOTH 45, SAT only]
Fubabee free Thank You card with any purchase [BOOTH 45, SUN only]
Karen's Monsters $5 off purchase of $20 or more [BOOTH 45, SUN only]
cakehouse.etsy.com 10% off purchases $40 and over [BOOTH 12]
Dhara Holistics Free lip balm with purchase over $25.00 [BOOTH 132]
jtopolski 10% off purchase [BOOTH 228]
knitknit $5 off any purchase $50 and over [BOOTH 65]
Charlie and Sarah $10 off $50; $25 off $100 [BOOTH 27]
peppersprouts Free small pin with purchase of any other item [BOOTH 73]
caja jewelry 10% off excluding custom orders [BOOTH 211]
Anne Arden McDonald 10% off purchase
Wabisabi Brooklyn a big smile and an overall delight in your presence.[BOOTH 45, SUN only]

Art Star is A+ in my book

Just got back from a weekend road trip with Pretty Stationary For Beautiful Souls, Better Than Jam and Knit Knit down to Philly for Art Star Craft Bazaar on Penn's Landing. It was GREAT!
We met fellow {NewNew}ers Cakehouse, Take Me Homeware, Beacon Bookmarks and The Hand Of Fatima down there - as well as unaffliliated friend Rocks N Salt.
The show was so well run, friendly and full of great vendors, we were so thrilled to be a part of it. From the great views of the water front, to the live music all day - oh and looks at this great tote bag.More photos to come in the next couple of days!