The Easy Rectangle Shirt

What do you do if you have some dated, polyester, fabric with possibly the worst color scheme ever?

Quite obviously, you try that one idea you saw somewhere on the web once, but now can't find anywhere.  (Apologies for my unexcusably bad grammar)

3 rectangles and a slit gives you this:

I started with a 35"x59" rectangle and had left over.

Measuring:

Under bust (mine was 31 1/2) This is where you want the seam placed.

Length you want the shirt to be from underbust (12 inches)

From underbust to same point on back (mine was 27 1/2)

From elbow to elbow across the top (mine was 30)

(You can see my shirt is looser--you can make this more form fitting)

My kids LOVE when I do timed shots

Cutting:

Then we cut out some rectangles.  Cut out 2 rectangles 16" by 12" with the stretch going across the 16" (so it pulls to 20" or whatever).  I tapered the bottoms out by 1 inch on each side (making a trapezoid for all you geometry enthusiasts).  This is your lower torso.

Then, the big rectangle will be a square 27.5" x 30"  (The stretch goes on the 27.5" side, but it doesn't matter really, you could use a woven for this part if you wanted.)

Congratulations your cutting is almost done!

Fold the large rectangle in half, the way you would be wearing it, and in the middle cut a slit crosswise 10-11" long.  This should be large enough for your head to fit through.

Now, your cutting is done.

Assembly:

Mark the middle on both lower rectangles and long sides of large rectangle.  Match them up and sew, stretching smaller rectangles as you sew.

Fold, putting neck slit on top, match sides and sleeves.  Sew in one continuous seam.


Finish hems (if needed) and finish neck slit. (I just reinforced the edges of my slit and folded the edges under slightly).

Voila!  Easiest shirt ever!

You could probably complete this in half an hour, if you are a fast cutter.  Or maybe if you just aren't a slow cutter:)

70's, Vintage Sewing, and the Evening Tree Namesake

I haven't sewn since my last post almost 2 weeks ago.  Except to redo the neckline on this shirt:

The gathers around the neck are a little uneven, but this is a T-shirt, not designer.  Okay?!? Okay.

Joy asked me if this shirt was the signature evening tree shirt and it wasn't.  But this one is.  This is the shirt that got me sewing my own wardrobe.  It's not super amazing or anything, but it makes me indescribably happy.  And isn't that what sewing should be about?

It used to be a huge men's shirt from Michael's for 2.50 or something.  I cut out the crew neck and left the edges raw.  It's been a few years though, and the neck was so stretched out I never wore it.  Happily, my sewing skills are much better now and I edged the neckline with clear elastic (zig-zag stitch), folded it over and stitched twice, keeping the messy look.  (I also took in the sides and sleeves--the pink stitching on the sleeves is where the original shoulder seam was.)

Before bleach pens were marketed in the grocery store, I took Q-tips and dipped them in bleach to make this design.  Then I free-stitched pink and white over all the leaves and branches. I backed the design with a scrap of flannel so I wouldn't worry about the stretching.

I would tell you the real name of this shirt, but my darling husband has decided to use it for is new Genealogy Research company, and is taking the name from me.  Grrr.  But really, I'm happy for him:)
Thanks to Joy for reminding me of my favorite shirt ever.

And speaking of Joy, and her 70's infatuation, made me take out all my 70's patterns.

I get these at secondhand stores for 25-50 cents.

I'm missing a couple, but that is entirely possible considering I never clean out my fabric closet.  My favorite 2 are these:

Yes, that interesting seaming on 7802 includes a pocket.  How cool is that?!  And the one on the left I just realized is the same pattern as this fantastic maxi of Tanit-Isis'.  Very nice.

And, I found a vintage sewing book copyrighted 1943. (The blue book under the patterns above)

With chapters like "Becoming Necklines",

"Choosing the Right Clothes",

and subtitles "How to Get That Expensive Look",

let alone the chapters named "Points to Remember About Afternoon Dresses and Formals", this book is filled with vintage techniques not used commonly and no-nonsense advice about what to wear if one has a thick neck.

Needless to say, this book is charming and wonderful.

Other vintage news at my house includes this lovely shoebox full of ric-rac:

from my dear Grandma H.

So fun!  Except I'm not 100% sure what to do with it.  I love it.  I just don't know where to take that love.  I've tried incorporating it into projects; but I think now that I'll have to design a project specifically for this lovely notion.  Any ideas?