DIY knots and twists

Traci

I've got a few voluminous tshirt and knit dresses that would be great with a knot or twist added to them. Has anyone tried diy-ing something like this? Not just a knot in the corner, more of a draping type element.

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8 years ago

Inspiration

10 replies

Latest reply was from Marilyn

carter

Veteran

This may qualify as just a knot in the corner, but Imogen had the guest post not too long ago. http://www.insideoutstyleblog......ealed.html

8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

That's a great example of what I was thinking of, Carter. Bonus points for it being no-sew! Thanks! I tried doing a search, but kept turning up shirts with the sides missing.

8 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Traci, I use the rubber band technique sometimes but the band can pop off. I more than often use a technique with safety pin. It allows you to get the look of the garment you posted above which I find more interesting than the look created with the rubber band.

It's hard to explain, but get a pin and have a play. If there are seams you can pin into it helps to keep the pin concealed.

8 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, again this morning! Thank you so much you posted this, Tracy and Carter! Great idea! Will have to chew this!:-)

8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Ahh, thanks Deborah. I'll give it a go with safety pins. I'm thinking if I find a drape I really like it would be fairly simple to lock it in with a hand sewn stitch.

I had even considered trying a stapler! Safety pins make so much more sense!

8 years ago

Jeweled

Veteran

I've seen a tip for stitching round elastic or elastic thread to the side-seams of knit tops / T-shirts.

The length of the elastic is shorter than the length of the side-seam, but the elastic is stretched to the full length of the seam. It gathers the sides of the shirt into lovely ruching that gives the top a drapey look.

I've seen people using this elastic technique from the underarm all the way down to the hem.

I've also seen it used with just a few inches of elastic stretched & stitched to about the bottom 6 inches of the shirt's side-seam, making the pretty ruched effect at the bottom of the sides - while also pulling up the side seams to create a nice rounded bottom hemline in front and back.

This technique can be used to add interest to the top; or to shorten a top or tunic that's too long; or to conceal any "lumps and bumps" the wearer may want to smooth over.

There are several online tutorials for this technique. Hope this helps!

8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Thanks Jeweled! I've thought about trying this, but I need to get my sewing machine up and running. I'm not a skillful enough hand sewer to tackle elastic on my own. I have a couple of dresses that I'd like to change from flared bottoms to more of a lantern bottom that I'm considering either elastic, or just a gathered running stitch on.

You all have me full of ideas now. Now to find the time, energy and patience to experiment!

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Great ideas here. I was admiring this tee at CM last weekend and wondering if I could accomplish something similar on my own. It's a very basic tee but the twisted knot detail is quite interesting.

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8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I like that, Marilyn. I may experiment with an old scrap tshirt to see if I can do anything with a couple of smallish slits to twist and pass the shirt through itself.

8 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Traci.....Yes, it almost looks like there must be a slit to pass the fabric through for that effect. I need to go back to inspect it further. I admired it on the hanger but didn't try it on figuring it would be too long on little me.

8 years ago

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