The arrival of spring provides a much needed breath of fresh air, as well as sunny bike rides, crocuses showing their colorful faces, a lighter wardrobe, and a cleaner closest (well, maybe). Kick off your spring cleaning by clearing out your stash of fabric scraps. Refashion an old garment into a perpetual work-in-progress with this week’s How-Tuesday project, shared with us by Jennifer Cooke of Raeburn Ink and Design Your Own Tees.
Score your own copy of Design Your Own Tees right here on Etsy!
Appliqué is a lovely technique for embellishment; usually you finish the edges of your stitched-on designs to keep them neat and protected from damage during washing and wearing. For this project, however, leave the edges raw and create a stylish T-shirt dress that is defined enough to wear out on the town.
This is a great project for leftover scraps that are too small to use for anything else. Fabrics will fray at different rates, and some might eventually disappear in the wash, leaving the stitching exposed. Embrace the unpredictable results of this project, and you will have a truly one-of-a-kind tee.
Supplies you’ll need: 
- A T-shirt dress (or other garment)
- Scraps of fabric in a variety of colors
- Contrasting thread
- Scissors or a rotary cutter + cutting mat
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Washing machine
- Hexagon template
Directions:
1. Make a pattern piece out of the hexagon template (download here), or create your own pattern piece in the shape of your choice using paper or lightweight cardboard. Adjust the scale of the hexagon template, if you’d like.
2. Cut out lots of hexagons from the fabric scraps. You can use scissos or a rotary cutter and a cutting mat. Note: Remember to always roll the rotary cutter away from yourself — it is very sharp and can give you a nasty cut. (I’m speaking from personal experience here!)
3. Arrange the hexagons on your T-shirt in a pattern that pleases you.
4. Pin them in place.
5. Stitch around the edges of the hexagons with a straight stitch. (I chose to stitch my whole project in one contrasting thread color to add some punch.) Remember to leave enough fabric around the edges to allow for some nice fraying.
6. Backstitch to secure each piece.
7. Now it’s all up to chance. Wear your tee and delight in how much it changes each time you wash it.
Thank you to Jennifer Cooke and the good folks at St. Martin’s Press for sharing this project. For more ways to revamp your wardrobe, check out Design Your Own Tees.
92 comments
Add a commentlilworkerb says:
Ooo! Lovely! I can't wait to try this myself, thank you for sharing! :)
1 year ago
lilworkerb says:
Ooo! Lovely! I can't wait to try this myself, thank you for sharing! :)
1 year ago
Littlezozo says:
great stuff ilove the blue dress shirt really cute :)
1 year ago
JasmineLund says:
Clever and cute!
1 year ago
PolClary says:
Very nice. It looks addicting, though. ;) All those pretty hexagons...
1 year ago
TubeHeaven says:
very fun and adorable! thanks for an easy tute! i like the contrasting thread!
1 year ago
HoldTheWire says:
Very cute! My daughter and I will be inheriting my mom's old sewing machine soon and I know she'd love to do something like this!
1 year ago
VintageEyeFashion says:
Unique, creative & beautiful!
1 year ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
thelittlemarket says:
Looks like a great spring project!!
1 year ago
sadiesez says:
I'm gonna try this for sure! Lots of scraps just waiting for a home :)
1 year ago
iWALLS says:
Thanks for the wonderful tutorial! I will have to show this to my girls!
1 year ago
SparklePaw says:
LOVE this! The honeycomb shapes are super cute and modern!
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Good ideas!
1 year ago
DanaCastle says:
This is so awesome! I literally just bought this book from Borders 2 days ago! :) There are some really cute shirt ideas in there, but this one was actually the one that made me buy the book.
1 year ago
shannondzikas says:
I'm crafty but sewing straight lines scares the pants off me! I can manage this though without the usual terror associated with plugging in my sewing machine. Thanks!
1 year ago
Sofiesticate says:
Love it! you just opened a big window of ideas in my brain :D, thanks!
1 year ago
ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Love this!
1 year ago
auntjanecan says:
Hey, this is great!!!
1 year ago
xxxRedStitcHxxx says:
CLEVER idea! thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
xxxRedStitcHxxx says:
CLEVER idea! thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
Thanks for sharing. A project that I must try.
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
So clever! Thanks for the article!
1 year ago
NaturalGlam says:
Cool project....
1 year ago
SeaGlassJournal says:
That's just fantastic! Just "hearted" the book and might buy. Just don't know how to sew worth a stitch. I would like to create my own custom T's to wear at the festivals I attend. Gary
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
I will have to try it! Thanks!
1 year ago
JanMadeIt says:
cuuuuute! Can't wait to try it! I have some practically new t-shirts with tiny holes in various places where Domino (my cat) has clenched her toes while riding on my shoulder. This might be the perfect way to cover the damage and get a whole new life out of something that was headed to the rag bin.
1 year ago
OsoVictoria says:
Awesome project, think of doing a few springtime t-shirts.
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
Very cool . I love this kind of stuff . Thanks for showing us how to do it.
1 year ago
Toriapasquinucci says:
LOvE the sharing people who make art the magic it is ;) Thank you!!!
1 year ago
TheBloomingThread says:
love new projects! thanks for more great ideas!
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
really cool.......thank u 4 sharing!!
1 year ago
LittleBirdWallArt says:
Very cute idea!
1 year ago
paperraincoat says:
Love it! Will definitely do something like this!
1 year ago
theroyal says:
i love how tuesday and i love appliques, so thanks for blowing my mind
1 year ago
SarasDaisyLove says:
Cute idea! Love it!
1 year ago
SkateBetty says:
This stuff is awesome. That pillow ring is the best thing ever.
1 year ago
SacredSymbolStudios says:
Neat! Thanks for the info & ideas.
1 year ago
RosellaResin says:
Great How-Tuesday... gonna do this to jazz up some of my old t-shirts for spring!
1 year ago
WoolnFelt says:
Im all over this!!
1 year ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
Wow- love this!!
1 year ago
trendlightly says:
Great idea!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Neat project love the geometric feeling to it!
1 year ago
ClassicObsessive says:
Very nice! I've become something of an applique nerd lately- I buy lots of thrift store clothes and spruce them up with fabric scraps laying around. I've never done any geometric shapes- I like the look a lot though! May be trying this project out next time around. Thanks! :)
1 year ago
ShoponSherman says:
Im a big tshirt fan and anything to add some "life" to a T gets a thumbs UP from me!
1 year ago
5gardenias says:
great quick way to revive some dull duds-- thanks for the super ideas!
1 year ago
believeinURdream says:
I love the colorful shapes and the way that the fraying will give character to the item! Great post. Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
gardenmis says:
So fabulous to see some beautiful raw edge applique beauties being featured :)
1 year ago
FourHarpDesigns says:
Great idea! Thank you!
1 year ago
BonTons says:
Super cute
1 year ago
OutTheBackDoor says:
nice, Thanks!
1 year ago
jcwnorfolk says:
Brilliant and easy and quick and cool. Just had a great idea to match some of my daughter's t's with her new baby's outfits I am making from th scraps of cloth!! She is due in May so I have time to do both. Yay! Thanks a bunch!
1 year ago
NinthStreetNotions says:
I am definitely going to be trying this for myself. I've done a little applique, and I thought it was fun. Here's a great way to not worry about the edges so much.
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
how very inovative. so cool!
1 year ago
MadebyLinLin says:
very cool idea! i love appliques!
1 year ago
silverbombon says:
Great detail!
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Cute!
1 year ago
redemptionart says:
Very, very cool! Mahalo!
1 year ago
CarlasInspirations says:
I have a couple great stashes of little scraps to do this with. I can't wait to try it.
1 year ago
Numbers14 says:
How well does the model wear that dress?! I'd never look like that in it!! :)
1 year ago
MyJunkyTrunk says:
Really great dress...I love it!
1 year ago
perebags says:
Fun!! TY!!
1 year ago
KnitKnit says:
Ah! Great article! I have bags of scraps that I've been trying to get through - this project is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing :)
1 year ago
vintagemaison says:
Great article1 I have a quilt I first started in 1989 - it's unfinished still - but a bag full of hexagon pieces that I now know what to do with...thanks!
1 year ago
kapcha says:
This is awesome - I love it. Am halfway through a dressmaking/sewing course so totally inspired to give this a go. They don't sell t-shirt dresses in New Zealand though so does anyone have a pattern for one??? Or can I buy that blue one in the picture online somewhere?? What material is it too in case there is a pattern out there I can find. Thanks :)
1 year ago
DolineBlochDesigns says:
Love it!
1 year ago
ChangeUp says:
The look of raw edges gives a garment the casual, fun, easy going look....if that describes you, wear it! Your clothing is an expression of who you are.
1 year ago
MaryFosterCreative says:
Looking forward to trying this to freshen up some old shirts. Thanks!
1 year ago
claudiascreation1 says:
Love it! Just made a purse of scraps and a wine bag last week. This article has me motivated for more!
1 year ago
Morah says:
Love this post! I, to, am a lover of recycled arts!
1 year ago
samsstuff says:
Use pinking shears instead of regular scissors to help keep the edges from fraying too much & to add a different look to your appliques. I have done this with several items in my shop. It is a cute look :)
1 year ago
mslizz says:
wow i like this and want to try it ..
1 year ago
AThousandJoys says:
I just bought a brand new sewing machine, and am excited to have some projects. Thank you for the inspiration!
1 year ago
faerieclare says:
Fabby-la! My sewing projects always come out a little bit wonky. I'll defo try this you make it look so easy! Thanx x
1 year ago
ritzydesigns says:
I love it!!! I can't wait to use my creativity to start a great new project. Thanks so much.
1 year ago
Chandeluse says:
I do it with French ribbons, and lace, so no fraying after the wash!
1 year ago
DreamReignDesigns says:
great idea for those of us who dig hand-sewing, embroidery and saving beloved t-shirts that have aquired small holes or spots! and as others have mentioned above...fab doorway to specialized/tweaks on the theme!
1 year ago
rahs914 says:
That blue dress is lovely! Thanks for sharing this project tutorial julieincharge and raeburnink.
1 year ago
kapcha says:
I love the blue dress too and want to know where I can get my hands on one on the internet that would ship to New Zealand??
1 year ago
EstellineDesigns says:
Thanks for sharing. I like to make unusual things and I will make one for myself. The idea of leaving the edges raw is great.
1 year ago
girliepains says:
Gotta love that raw-edge!
1 year ago
jiang888 says:
Appliqué is a lovely technique for embellishment; usually you finish the edges of your stitched-on designs to keep them neat and protected from damage during washing and wearing. Microsoft Publisher 2010
1 year ago
ScrappyTudeStudios says:
Cute and fun, and a great way to salvage a beloved t-shirt with a spot of red wine that simply won't come out!
1 year ago
RedbirdGreen says:
I have just the perfect tunic tees hiding in the bottom of my drawer for thisproject! Thank you for the inspiration!!
1 year ago
GiftCreation says:
So smart and easy!!!Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year ago
Murriepurrie says:
This is cute. I think I will use this to bring life to my old shirts
1 year ago
prendasbyenid says:
Great Project!!!
1 year ago
JujuTreasures says:
Awesome, I would definitely try it:) Thanks for this great tutorial!
343 days ago
linziloop says:
I've got SO many offcuts of fabric I could totally put to use with this, woohoo! I'm going to try it on a plain skirt :D
313 days ago
topc says:
thanks for the tip. I'll use it on a shirt and a dress^^
313 days ago
MyNostalgicFeeling says:
Beautiful! I wish you all the success - your work is unique and fab!
313 days ago
aggie12thman says:
I saw the cool style created for this dress, thought I would share something with everyone. As you know getting fabric is one of the most challenging tasks for appliques. Our company http//www.customirononpatches.com makes appliques out just a few styles of fabrics. Meaning, we print the designs to the fabric so you don’t have to look all over the place for different fabrics. We not only print the fabric patterns, but we can actually cut the logos ready for embroidery, so all you have to do is lay down the pre-cut appliques with whatever pattern you desire, then stitch. Talk about saving time and money....
208 days ago