.
Thanks for all of your responses yesterday.
I loved reading your feedback. Thank you, Thank you.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I know, there’s only a few days until the 4th of July this weekend.
But here’s a fun little project you can do last minute.
And pretty quickly.
Little 4th of July shirts.
Nice and vibrant.
And a little more ruffly for a girl……..
And smoother lines for a boy……..
Together, they make a sweet pair.
Ready to make your own?
(Remember to adjust the measurements below for smaller or bigger shirts. This sizing was made for a 4T girls shirt from Target.)
First, to make the little ruffled girly flag…..I cut up an old red tshirt and made strips out of the knit that were 1/2 x 12 inches.
Then I decided how wide I wanted to make the flag (about 6 1/2 inches wide) and placed pins at each side. Then I layed the strips down, just how I wanted them from the left side, and let the tails hang over the right side for now.
Then I made a pencil mark at the left side of each strip and the right side of each strip, 1/4 inch down from the top of the strip (so the line would be centered down the center of each strip). And then I made a straight line with my pencil.
I did that for each strip so I would know exactly where to lay each strip after I ruffled them. Make sure your pencil lines are exactly as long and spaced exactly how you’d like it……so that placing the ruffles will be easier.
Then make a basting stitch down the center of each 13 inch strips and gather them so that they are only 6 1/2 inches wide (because that’s how wide my flag is). Pin each ruffle in place, directly over top each pencil mark. (And I ended up trimming about 2 inches off the ends of the top two ruffles because they were more ruffly from being gathered more to fit a smaller space. Make sense? If not, just ignore.)
Then sew each ruffle in place.
Then I cut a blue knit square (again, from an old tshirt scrap) and sewed it right to the shirt. Then I sewed five little buttons onto the square.
The more girly flag is now done.
Onto the more plain flag.
(Remember to adjust the measurements below for smaller or bigger shirts. This sizing was made for a 2T boys shirt from Target. And I just picked off the little pocket with a seam ripper.)
I first ironed on some Heat ‘n Bond (double sided adhesive) to a big chunk of the red knit. (from the old red tshirt I used above, remember?) From that, I cut strips of red that were 1/2 x 6 inches.
(See the paper backing of the adhesive on one side and the knit on the other side?)
Then I peeled off all of the paper backing and layed each strip on the front of the shirt.
I added some Heat ‘n Bond iron on adhesive to a little blue square as well, and placed everything just where I wanted it.
I also attached some of the same Heat ‘n Bond to the back of a white square of fabric (it was actually the pocket that I picked off the shirt), then traced some stars onto the paper backing of the adhesive, cut them out, then added them to the blue square. Then I ironed everything in place.
Then I stitched around everything…
And that was it.
Nice and quick.
And pretty inexpensive. And yes, I know you can buy little flag shirts everywhere for about $5…….but they aren’t nearly as cute/fun as making your own.
Perfect for the 4th of July weekend.
Ashley
Ashley Johnson is a DIY sewist, crafter, costume maker and home interior designer.
These are adorable! I'm wondering if I have enough time to make one for myself today. . .
Thanks for the inspiration! I made a similar one for my daughter this evening :) Instead of buttons I hand sewed little stars onto the blue knit patch. It turned out cute! LOVE the blog, as always!!
So stinkin' cute! I'll be linking on Saturday for sure!
Darling shirts! Love them both – what a fun project :)
I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com! Sending you a little more traffic (like you need it:)
I love these!!!
U always have great ideas! I love it! :)
LOVE this…I am making it today. THANKS so much!
Love them! your kids are adorable!!
I love your blogsite too!
Lovely! Happy 4th July!
Very cute!
These are darling! I love both of them. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
I am so making these for my girls. Thanks for the tutorial. I wanted something just like this.
Oh My. Goodness. That is so weird. I literally had the exact same idea, but I didn't have a shirt to use! Buttons and all! Except I was thinking red and white ruffles, you're much more clever to use the white shirt as the stipe :o)
You did it beautifully! And I love the boys version as well. Fantastic!
Sooooo cute!! I might have to do this to go with my little girls tutu!!
wow, you are amazing! I wish I could come up with my own ideas… until that day, I will just have to keep stealing yours. ;)
What a cute idea! Now, if only I had time to whip up a few before the holiday weekend is upon us. :-) Maybe next year. Great job though! I love these!
Adorable. Thanks for such great ideas.
Oooh, I love this. Just might have to make one for my little girl. Thanks! :)
Love!! I've been trying to figure out what to make for my daughter to wear this weekend! Thanks for yet another great idea!
You just inspire me every day! Thanks so much for the adorable ideas!
Ha! I usually don't comment…but I got a kick out of seeing your girly 4th of July shirt. It is very similar to a project I just did for a decoration for my house! Great minds think alike:-)
https://texastingey.blogspot.com/2010/06/4th-of-july-crafts.html
Those are so adorable and so easy! I can't wait to try them out.
OMG, cutest shirts EVER! So stinking cute. I am in heaven. Have the sewing machine…now to just learn how to sew:)
LOVE all your stuff!
these are sew adorable! I love the boy and girl versions!
I just may have to make these! What a fun idea! Thanks so much!
Love these! Too cute!!!:)
i love these shirts I might have to make one for my lil guy!
ok, so my boys are getting one each. IF i find time to do it…i'll let you know if i post pictures.
That is SEW cute! I just love the idea and wish I had seen it sooner! There is no way I can pull that off before this weekend with everything else I have going on :)
Thanks for sharing! :)
VERY Cute! If I wasn't running around crazy trying to pack for our out of town trip, I would so do this! I'll have to remember for next year! :-)
cute :)
The shirts are adorable. But the kids… they are so cute!!!! Thanks for sharing.
These are so cute I love them!
Is it pathetic that I want to make the ruffly shirt for ME?
No, it’s not! I was thinking the same thing!
Very,ver…………………y cute
so so so cute! I don't have little kids, but I think I'm still going to have to make me some. I have nieces and nephews…I'm sure they want to be patriotic…
These are too cute for words! Thnaks so much for sharing, can't wait to make my kiddos some!
This is absolutely what I was looking for. I was going to try to do the upcycled hoodies for my kids and their cousins but, I LOVE this idea so much more! FANTASTIC!
How creative and super cute. Thanks for all of your fun and affordable ideas!
LOVE it! You just changed my life. I was going to make everyone matching Lil Blue Boo stuff. Now, I am going to do yours. This is EXACTLY what I wanted! LOVE YOUR BLOG!
These are so cute. I was looking for a fun outfit for the 4th. Thanks!
I have been planning to make a shirt for my daughter, but this is much cuter than what was in my head. Thanks!
I love the little shirts… it makes me want to go back home for the 4th of july…. but alas here I sit in Canada…. oh well…
SO cute! Thanks for all the fun ideas!!
So cute!
Adorable!!
wow! so stinkin cute.
I took your argyle shirt pattern you did for your little boy and made some for my boys with a red white and blue theme. I love them. Thanks for all the great ideas!