Sewing Projects

Ric-Rac Rock Top!

Tie-dyeing is a fun way of creating patterns on fabric and if you though it had died out with the hippy generation think again! Here it is combined with ric-rac braid in sizzlingly hot shades for a look that is thoroughly up-to-date and ideal for anyone who wants to revamp their wardrobe on a budget.

REQUIREMENTS

• White T-shirt or strappy top
• Fabric Dye and Basting Thread
• Ric-Rac Braid – 3 colours
• Fabric Glue
• Contrasting Threads
• Iron-on Swarovski Crystals

To make up

1. Make up the fabric using the manufacturer’s instructions. Find the centre of the front of the T-shirt and fold along this line. Gather the fabric in your hand and tie one length of basting thread tightly around the T-shirt for each circle, making sure you do not tie any of the back of the T-shirt. Then dye and dry the T-shirt as instructed by the manufacturer.

2. Once T-shirt is completely dry, glue three rows of ric-rac around the front neckline, leaving the shoulder straps plus 2 cm (3/4”) overhanging on each side.

3. Using a contrasting colour of thread, machine stitch along the centre of each length of ric-rac braid to fix firmly in place.

HANDY HINTS: Try out various decorative stitches on your sewing machine to enhance the look.

The overhanging lengths of ric-rac braid should be the same length as the shoulder straps. If they are too tight, they will cut into your shoulder or if they are too loose, they will slip down when you wear the T-shirt.

4. Attach one length of ric-rac braid along the back neckline in the same way. Then stitch the three overhanging lengths of braid on each side to the back neckline, securing with a small backstitch. Trim off any excess braid so that the shoulder straps ric-rac is level with the ric-rac on the back neckline.

5. Again following the manufacturer’s instructions, iron the Swarovski crystals to the centre circle on the front of the T-shirt.

This T-shirt project has been reproduced from Embellish Your T-Shirt by Katie Cole.  With 50 techniques and 35 step-by-step projects there are plenty of suggestions to liven up even the most dreary ‘T’ with simple stitching and make it worthy to wear for all sorts of occasions, banishing boring T-shirts from the wardrobe forever! Published by Cico Books and priced at £12.99. (See book review pages for more information or call the Cico Books hotline on tel: 01256 302692).