Ex-Seam Makeover

First and second versions of Burda top

Oh Renegade, you got it hand-made....

Before version of staff t-shirt:

My school ordered for our staff t-shirts with the "Got 800?" slogan and our school name below it to motivate students to do well on the upcoming state standardized tests. "800" is the maximum scaled score or API (Academic Performance Index) for California schools.

After a recent small group meeting regarding administration of the standardized exams, the t-shirts were distributed to each teacher. My initial reaction was, "Uh-oh, here is another t-shirt that I do not like to wear..." I could immediately tell that this embellished Hanes "beefy-T" is simply not my style (snooty me....) with its unflattering sleeves and ribbed neckline. When I brought this home the same day and tried it on, my daughter arrogantly said, "You look like a man." Then I was certain I had some sort of "deer in the headlights" expression. Heather is not afraid to say what's on her mind. After looking at myself wearing this navy blue shirt in front of the mirror long enough, I agreed with Heather and decided that I would not wear it on Friday as requested by my school's administration. But then, I did not want to be perceived as being a fuddy duddy for not having school spirit.

Then, a light bulb flashed in my mind! I resolved to "refashion" the beefy-t! I have been inspired by PR creations that were reincarnated from garments that were outdated, had improper fit, or had not been worn for some time.

After version of staff t-shirt:

Modifications
* Since the original top had no side seams, I cut through where I estimated the side seams would have been, separating the back from the front. I also cut along the seams of the armscyes, separating the sleeves, which I used later.

* I pinned the front piece of Burda WOF, January 2009, #106 onto the front of the beefy-t and cut around the piece. I raised the neckline about 1/2" so that the number "8" would be recognizable.

* I omitted the front and back facings

* I finished the neckline with a narrow zig-zag stitch.



* I traced the back piece from the same Burda WOF pattern onto the back piece taken from a man's striped polo shirt (still having its original tags). Since my husband lost 80 lbs within the past year (why do men have an easier time than women in losing weight?) he was not able to wear this striped polo shirt that I purchased from Kohl's a few years ago. It has been sitting without purpose in a drawer.

* I did not use the flounced sleeves and did not alter the length of the original sleeves of the t-shirt. I did cut through the original seam so that the sleeves would lie flat before attaching. To smooth the jagged edges after cutting them them from the shirt, I trimmed the cap at most 3/8" tapering to 0" to the lower edges. I kept the original double stitched hems. Then I sewed the sleeves in flat to the revised front and back pieces attached at the shoulders. It's interesting now that the sleeves hang differently with the change in the curve of the armscye and the slope of the shoulders.

Conclusion
Several female students noticed the neckline of my shirt beneath a blazer I was wearing (chilly classroom) and complimented on it and the entire shirt. Suprisingly one of my male students who is the most likely to not pay attention to fashion thought what I did to my shirt (modifying the back of the shirt) was "cool". He also thought sewing your own clothes was cool. Hanes, my way....

One of my colleagues asked if I do alterations after getting a kick out of my shirt. Non-committable me said "No.".....