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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Anthropologie Style Tee Shirt aka Save Yourself A Bundle On Tops



Do you ever look at the embellished knit shirts from boutique places or stores like Anthropologie and find yourself shaking your head at the prices?  Those $48 & up prices.  I mean seriously, who wants to pay that for a t-shirt?!  I'm constantly rolling my eyes at the mark-up for a basic tee that just has a few cute details on it.  So, I decided to just go for it and do some for myself for about $10.  And it's totally do-able.  

You'll Need:
- Basic t-shirt
- Crochet/lace collar
- Wooden/antique style buttons
- Sewing notions: sewing machine, pins, hand sewing needle
- Optional: Tailor's dummy

I got a basic long-sleeved tee at Target for about $7:

If you crochet you can make your own collar, but if you're like me and don't, you can snag a ready made one pretty cheap.  Mine is from Wholeport and cost a mere $1.99.  They seem to be out of this particular one right now, but there have several other cute styles & all are bargain priced.


Start by pinning the upper and lower edges of the collar around the neckline of the shirt.   It's easiest to do this using a tailor's dummy or have someone very nice wear it while you pin it (promising not to stick them with a pin of course).  And unless the shirt buttons up (aka the neckline opens), I'd recommend setting the collar below the ribbing edge of the neck hole so you don't risk not being able to get your head through it once it's sewn on.


Now set the sewing machine to a mid length, mid-width zig-zag stitch (around 3, 3):


Using thread that matches the collar collar, zig-zag stitch around the edge of the entire collar.  Do one collar side at a time.  Remember to go slow so you don't stretch the shirt fabric (you don't want to end up with bunching or puckers).


Decide how you want to space the buttons and hand sew a small one at the center of the collar.  That little pearly pink one was from a button stash of my grandma's.  Then sew two larger ones below.

The ones I used are wooden ones and about the size of a quarter.  I love that they already had this cute colored thread running through them in a heart shape (so cute!!).  These were also from Wholeport and also nice & thrifty.    For a little extra detail I stitched one near each sleeve cuff too.


Now the shirt is ready to wear.  $10 folks.  And just as unique & hip as the fancy places.  Except with an extra gold star for being totally one of a kind and with a lot of money left in your wallet.  Consider this a little Valentine's gift for treating yourself today.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!


I'm also sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.
Click HERE to check them out!

25 comments:

  1. This is so gorgeous!! I love the details and how feminine it is!!

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    1. Thanks Andrea and I know what you mean. I'm wearing it today and feel so dressy even though it's just a tee!

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  2. I love this! Thanks for the tutorial, I can't wait to make one :-) I have some of these collars from when a fabric store was closing and everything was on clearance and I have been waiting to use them. This is perfect! Thank you!

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    1. So glad I've given you some ideas for using your bargains. I'd love to see them when you do make them:)

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  3. That is really sweet! The buttons are adorable. =)

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    1. Thanks Charity - I love the buttons too. They came 15 to a bag, so I'm looking forward to using them again!

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  4. This looks awesome. And thank you for introducing me to Wholeport.com. I will buying lacy collars for sure. :)

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  5. Oh, it looks so great!! I love it! I always see those little lace collars; but, I would have never thought of that. Awesome idea! :)

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  6. I love your idea. The lace collars are so nice. I think I can make it easily. Thanks for your explanation.

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  7. That is lovely! I use the exact same collars for projects, but have been getting then overpriced! Thanks!

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  8. this turned out adorable!
    Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2013/creative-ideas-to-make/ have a great weekend!

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  9. Very pretty! Found you on Thursday Favorite Things and I would love to invite you over to The Creative HomeAcre Hop today!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop-3.html

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  10. hHOW CRAZY CUTE! I actually thought the first photo (of yours) was the one from Anthropologie.....well done!!

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  11. THAT's IT!!
    Exactly what I need to do to decorate some of my tee's for wearing to church!! That's an awesome idea and thank you so much for sharing it with us! Even I can do that!!
    Blessings,
    Doni

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  12. I love this!!!! Yes, it's do trendy and I love your tutorial!
    Come link up to my party. It's up for one month so you get the max traffic and it just started!
    Bisous
    Isabelle
    www.lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com

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  13. Super Cute! Found you over at I Heart Naptime! I'd love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out!
    Melanie Reasons To Skip The Housework

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  14. This is seriously cute! You had me at the lace collar, then you added the awesome button detail!! I'd love it if you would share this at "What We Accomplished Wednesday," at Green Willow Pond. It is live right now. Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  15. I was rummaging through my craft and sewing stash recently and found a lace collar I had purchased when my daughter was about 2 (she's now 21!) thinking that I would add it to a dress for her. Guess I never got around to it! This is beautiful and I can't wait to try it.

    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. What great timing - looks like that collar was meant to be used! Would love to see yours when you make it:)

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  16. This is so cute! It really dressed up the long sleeve tee. I want one now :)

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  17. Love how girly it is! I'd love for you to check out our Pattern Party! Only those with patterns are invited to link up. Check it out!
    http://getyourcraptogether.blogspot.com/search/label/Pattern%20Party

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)