Down East Basics Inspired T-shirt

My beautiful daughter came home the other day from a back to school shopping extravaganza with some adorable clothes. One in particular is a really cute shirt from Down East Basics

It is called their Soft & Pretty Top (which it is) and it costs about $25. Not TOO extravagant but still more than I would spend on a shirt for myself. I kinda chuckled when she showed it to me and then set out to make one of my own.  I hit the dollar store yesterday and they had just refilled their t-shirt bins!!! Yea, for me. I picked up a couple white t-shirts for $1.

First I decided that I really didn’t want the longer short sleeves, I really wanted more of a cap sleeve. So I cut of the sleeves.

Next I decided where I wanted the neckline to fall and drew it out with one of my quilting pencils,

Then, take one of your extra t-shirts and cut strips off the bottom. Just a little note here, my first attempt I used 1” strips and when I got it all sewed together it was WAY too heavy and pulled the shirt down. I would recommend ¼” – ½” wide strips.

Take these a sew them onto the top edge of your shirt then braid as you sew. I guess you could braid and then sew it on, but I was trying to hide the stitching so I would sew and then cross in front of the stitching. (sorry, my pic’s here didn’t turn out) Continue around until you have a 2 “ gap between the start & finish of the braided neckline. (you want this gap for the flower)

I took some of the scraps from the extra t-shirt and turned them into a few simple ruffled flowers (I’ve seen so many tutorials on this, I won’t add one here, unless you really need one! Let me know)

Then just sew them into the gap on the neckline… I added a few strands just for some dimension, but it would be up to you.

I really wanted some texture on the sleeves, so I made a couple slits and tied some small knots.
I love it, What do you think! (My daughter was kinda irked that mine cost $1 and she paid $25)