Feel Free To Tell Me To Shut Up Already About The T-Shirts

Tired of hearing about the t-shirts yet?  Too bad.....

'coz I seem to be still in my t-shirt phase.  Kim calls me Halters R Us. 

I'm enjoying this book, you may have noticed.  Given how much I have used it, this might have turned out to be the purchase of the decade for me.  Not bad for 8 bucks or so.  Well, then there was the $249 (or something) for the sewing machine. What was that I was saying about false economy, Katy?  But damn, I've used it far more than any of the expensive knitting books I've got. Which, now that I think of it, is sad, really.

This is one of those roll-top dealies that can be worn off the shoulder.  Reminds me of Marilyn Monroe a little bit. A big jump in sophistication, but still a t-shirt.
I used the pattern in the book modeled here:  I tried it on and it looked pretty good on me.  It'll look really good on a 21-year-old. I hope she likes it.  The other day we chatted:

Me:  Do you have a wish list for which t-shirts and which designs for me to do next?

Her:  No.  Just don't use all my t-shirts.  I need some to sleep in and stuff.

Me:  LOL. Um.  Should I stop now?

Her:  No.  It gives you pleasure. 

That's my girl.   

So.  I thought I was done.  I really did.  And then I got this brainstorm.

A bandeau-topped sundress. 

This is something that will really need to be modeled to show how cute it is.  It was hard to get a good photograph of it, either flat or on a hanger.  Here is a bad shot of the back.  It's a bandeau that ties in the back.  Because it is snug-fitting, the words on the top will flatten out and be readable, not all bent up like that.  Below the tied portion, it is open so some skin on the back will show below the bra line. I put some shaping in the waist, which again doesn't show very well because of my hurried photo-taking. You can see how it curves in at the waist in the hanging-up photo. It was all very convenient to do that, because where that shaping is is where the sleeves of the original t-shirt were, and to cut them out made it curve inward anyway.  I just had to seam that up and make it flow downward toward the waist and back out toward the hips.  The bandeau is six or seven inches that I cut off that humongous Steamboat t-shirt, and the hem of the green t-shirt provided the hem of the dress. 

This was my own creation, based on inspiration from the book.  There was a top in the book that was like this, and I thought, why not a sundress?  Here's hoping it fits.  I think it will.  NOW I'm done.  Really. 

But wait........ now that I think about it.....

--------------------------On another topic.....

Hey, get a load of the Red Scarf blog.  We are still working on it, but it's taking shape.  Thanks to Scout for all your help.  I've been right out straight with work and will be out of town for work for a couple of days.  It's great to have friends who are eager to help.  In which case, why the hell don't you all come over here and do these transcripts for me, huh?   I know.  Never satisfied. 

Comments

[Cookie]

Love it!

And I'm so glad you've found a creative outlet that makes you happy.

Thank you for setting up the Project blog.

[kmkat]

Hmm. I'm thinking I need to send a link to your t-shirt post to #1 son's g.f. I've been knitting a sweater for her, but goshdarnit it's hard to do fittings when they both live 1200 miles away. Maybe this t-shirt thing would be easier. Too bad I'm w-a-y too far over the hill for them. They are darn cute.

[Kathleen]

I think it is terrific that you are "taking back the t-shirts"! I looked at that book and B&N and loved it...but it's a bit too mature for Gracie. Keep on keeping on Norma! Love 'em!

[Laura]

I think it needs to be revised to "Sexy T-Shirts R Us"! Wow those are SO cute. My daughter is just a tiny bit too young for those - she'd be embarrassed. Maybe too modest too. But oh my sister - wow. She'd look great in those. Are you ready to start selling them?? heh

[margene]

That blog is awesome!! Look at you with all your t-shirt clothes. You'll soon be called Daisy Mae;-)

[Kim]

That sundress is absolutely adorable. The cutest dress ever. I love it. When I get real skinny, can I send you some tshirts & have you make me one? Pretty please? It would be SO much more fun than working on depositions and transcripts, I promise!

Way to go on the blog, Scout! It looks great!!!

[Vicki]

OMG, look at you! On a roll, and so creative and inventive and I just can't wait to see what comes next (after all the work is done). ; )

[Teri P]

You're an inspiration, Norma. Last week I dusted off my sewing machine to complete my KSKS bag, and now I'm on a sewing roll. My 14-year-old niece is learning how to sew, and together we're going to refashion some of her dad's t-shirts... I've got Generation T on request at the library and have already picked out a few ts.

ps. Kim took the words right out of my mouth... The sundress is indeed adorable!

[Lucia]

Here are some transcripts for you:
http://paul.merton.ox.ac.uk/work/lawyers.html
(Undoubtedly you've seen these already, but I found them good for a second chuckle.)

For all you do, we love you.

[Scout]

You are very welcome my dear!

[Katherine]

No need to stop being Halters R Us. In fact, on my commute this morning, as I was musing once again on the possibility of buying the book (I'm not a hard sell, exactly, just a slow one), I was struck with related inspiration -- why not buy some men's dress shirts from a thrift store and put some darts in so they're flattering?! (I'm a tall woman, and it can be hard to find things that fit). So, for that tangential but related idea, thanks. Your public interest in altering shirts is not wasted on me.

[Carole]

That sundress is fantastic! Look at you, you're a regular fashion designer now! Project Runway, look out for Norma!

[Marcia]

Crap...you HAD to remind me that I still haven't finished sewing my grandson's duffle bag. Which he needs for the trip to Maine this weekend. And here I sit at the computer reading blogs about tee shirts.....

[Kristen]

Are we going to see you hawking these at the next Hamilton College move-in day? ;)

[Anne]

I think I've looked that book over 3 times since you got it... oh how I wish that I had more t-shirts that were suited to re-design. But alas...