My kids have been having so much fun making gifts for family members. It’s so nice to see them working on something for someone else. They do it because they want to – I didn’t suggest it. It’s inspiring! So, I’ve been working on some gifts for them. First up is a “new” t-shirt for my six-year-old. His beloved armadillo shirt is two sizes too small and beginning to show it’s age.
First though, a funny story about how we got this shirt. One time when we came to Florida to visit for a week, I discovered that I hadn’t packed any shirts for my youngest son (mom brain at it’s finest!). How that happened I’ll never know, but Goodwill was one of our first stops. I found this shirt and a couple others that were the right size and in decent shape. For some reason this one caught his eye and he was so bummed when I mentioned that it was getting too small and worn. So, on with the resizing.
I used the t-shirt as a pattern to cut a new, bigger body from some brown knit that I had. I cut the armadillo out of the front and then, I cut sleeves from the back of the old shirt. Except when I went to put it together I remembered that I didn’t cut the sleeves a little bigger. So, I added a brown stripe to the underarm.
The sleeves are hemmed with green thread to add a little color. I did the same thing with the neck binding. The patch is sewn on using a feather stitch, but you could use your favorite decorative stitch or even just a zigzag. I did a rolled hem with my serger (one of my favorite things to do! It’s just so easy!). You could also do a narrow hem – turn under 1/4″ and then turn under 1/4″ again and sew.
I’m sure he’ll be happy to see his new armadillo shirt! Hopefully it will fit him for a bit longer!
Do your kids enjoy making gifts for people? Have you ever remade a shirt or other beloved article of clothing?
Leave a Reply