Progress & new questions: Fringing a shirt - YouLookFab Forum

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Progress & new questions: Fringing a shirt

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Have you done this/can you tell me what I’m doing wrong? The videos I’ve watched say to cut them anywhere from a finger width to 2 cm wide, and to pull on the individual pieces so they curl. I’d like them to curl in sideways, not up. They aren’t curling & idk why. Do you have any advice?

Ps to the YLF team: how about a DIY category?

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by Stagiaire Fash

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General

17 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

April

Veteran

I have not done this with fabric, but I know when working with paper, what makes things curl is when you do something to one side but not the other.

Try spritzing plain water on just one flat side and see what happens.

RobinF

Veteran

I'm not sure what look you are going for but they might curl up more when washed. And if there is a hem that could be pulling it down. But I would guess that knit fabric like that would curl in more than up.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

April, I’ll give that a try. Wonder if it could make a lasting difference.

Robin, thanks for commenting. I just changed the original post to reflect that I’d like them to curl along the long axis, side to side, rather than up. Videos show chopping the hem off; I removed it with a seam ripper. Haven’t washed the shirt since. Maybe the old crease is what’s in the way.

I have to laugh at myself for how much work I’m putting into this. The end goal is a cool & groovy top that belies all strain and stress, so I can look like I simply tossed something on with jeans, shorts, or my funky pants, without thinking at all. I guess I’m front-loading the effort, so the result can be easy, no sweat.

RobinF

Veteran

Gotcha, that makes sense. Yes, I bet washing or wetting the shirt after the cuts will make a big difference.

Joy

Veteran

I have done this with knits like tee shirts and it works well. No sewing needed. Pulling on them gently is key. Good luck. Some fabrics just don't fray well, especially blends.. they really gray out in the wash.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Joy, I’m glad to hear from the voice of experience! How did all cotton do for you?

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SarahD8

Veteran

I echo others -- cut off the hem, cut the fringe, run through the wash. (Not speaking from specific experience tho -- just general textile familiarity)

rachylou

Veteran

Second Joy - give them a little tug from the ends.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Are they a good width?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I think you should run them through the wash first before going any narrower - I do think it'll help BUT you can't uncut them later if you change your mind, so err on the side of caution for now!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I know many people here started making their own clothes as teens. I am in awe of you. Late bloomer that I am, sartorially speaking, I’m having fun with this little project. Just tried it on for the first time & it makes me want to do more—other projects & more on this one.

This T-Shirt fit, technically, but releasing the waist makes it much better. I’m also going to fringe the arms, because they have a similar thing going on, where the measurements are technically correct, but my arm movement doesn’t feel completely free. Idk if I should fringe the whole sleeve or draw a diagonal line to do

The collar also fits, technically speaking. The fabric doesn’t pull anywhere, but I might want it more loose. Should I remove the collar or cut in a v-neck?

Thanks for playing along with me.

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Vildy

Veteran

If the shirt sits correctly when you first put it on but then quickly, as soon as you move, it rides backwards and presses on the base of your throat this would be because of where your shoulder line sits in relation to the base of the throat. Can be higher or lower in people. I have this exact issue and in ready to wear all you can do is cut the neckline out to be lower or, in more tailored items where you aren't looking for so much freedom of movement, add or move shoulder pads to help anchor the front neckline.

DonnaF

Veteran

Removing the neckline binding would likely result in the sleeves hanging lower so you may want to wait. IMHO more fringes is too much going on so I would go with angled sleeves and maybe a wide shallow V neckline.

SarahD8

Veteran

The fringed hem looks great!

I have cut the neck binding out of knit tops before and that generally works great. I’m not sure about cutting a v neck, my concern would be that the shape/structure would not hold up after washing with the unfinished edge.

I vote cut a diagonal line to make the sleeves into cap sleeves (so, you will be cutting more length from the underside of the sleeve than the top side). You can always cut fringe on the top side of the sleeve later if you decide you want a more maximal look. (I don’t think I’d want fringe all the way round esp if the sleeves are somewhat tight — too tickly in the armpits!)

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Nice progress with the fringe! I find the hardest part with altering clothes is getting started - my initial fear is 'Oh no, what if it ends up looking *worse* than it already does?' Never mind the fact that I'm not wearing it in its current state, so there's not much wearability being sacrificed anyway

Re: cutting the neckline (&/ or sleeves), will this DIY no-sew tutorial helps? Some helpful tips for modifying cotton tshirts in the comments too:
https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com.....fications/

Anonymous

Excellent work! You could try rolling the sleeves. I am planning to cut the length of a pair of jeans this fall. So I will join you in DIY projects

rachylou

Veteran

Looks good. Remove the neck and cap the sleeves, that’s my vote!