DIY Diagonal Ruffle Tee

After doing Me Made May and figuring out the holes in my wardrobe, so I’m dedicating the month of June to sewing those items I need in my wardrobe and altering any items I won’t wear unless I alter them. First, I made some basic tees with fun details to wear all summer long. I love the flared ruffle look and saw one somewhere online that I decided to copy. It’s a very easy pattern hack, but you get a really interesting and fun ruffle tee.

I used some white mystery knit fabric that my sister sent me. She made a cardigan out of it a couple of years ago and just sent me the remnant which was the perfect amount to make this tee. This fabric is white with white stripes. It doesn’t have a lot of stretch or recovery so I couldn’t make anything very fitted. This jersey knit stripe fabric* seems the closest to what I have. If you are sewing stripes this is how to match stripes.

I used the Union St Tee pattern* since that’s my tried and true basic tee pattern but these alterations will work with any tee pattern.

• Trace the front piece so that it’s open and not on the fold.
• Then draw a straight line from one side waist to the opposite arm hole.
• Cut it and then add seam allowance.
• Cut out the front pieces from the fabric.
• Measure the length of the line you just cut. Find a bowl or plate with similar measurements and trace a circle on your fabric. (Mine was slightly longer so I used the extra in my sleeve seam.)
• Measure out 4″ all the way around that circle to make a larger circle. Cut out the ruffle and cut through the circle to make one long strip.

• Sew the ruffle in between the two front pieces and trim off any excess.
• Us the excess in the sleeve seam to add one more ruffle.
• Construct the tee the way the pattern instructs.

It’s a very basic tee, but I really love it and the simple details. It’s going to great for hot summer days. I will feel comfortable and it’s easy to wear, but I’ll look like I got dressed in the morning! #momwin

Learn How to Sew Your Own Clothes

1. If you want to learn how to sew your own clothing you need to start somewhere. These are the Things I Wish I Could Tell Myself Before I Started Sewing. They will help any beginner who wants to learn how to sew.
2. Then you can read some Tips to Start Sewing Clothing.
3. Once you start you’ll get better at using a sewing machine, but you’ll make clothing that you might not wear or love. I made every mistake and this is How to Sew Clothing You’ll Love. (Avoid my mistakes!)
4. As you get better and better you’ll need to learn How to Choose Fabric for Sewing Clothes and the Best Fabrics for Sewing Clothing. I recommend fabrics that I love, but you’ll find the fabric you love the best.
5. You can use paper patterns which are great to buy on sale or you can use PDF patterns which are great for instant gratification. There are lots of Different Ways to Assemble PDF Patterns so you need to find what works for you.
6. Lastly, when you are sewing your own clothing and you are drawn to lots of different printed fabric, you need to learn How to Make a Versatile Handmade Wardrobe + Free Printable so that all the items in your wardrobe can coordinate with another item of clothing and be worn!