7.23.2010

Garnet Hill T-Shirt Knock-off

I love these shirts from Garnet Hill.  I also love almost everything else in the catalog.  Seriously.  I keep a hard copy inspiration binder and I ripped out probably half of the pages in the latest GH catalog, and that was me trying to tone it down.    Anyway.  These shirts are great.  They're also 44$.  Forty-four dollars.  
So, I went to Walmart and got two 2$ tees.  One in my size, and one XL to cut up (because I figured, hey, for the same price, why not get more fabric?).  I cut out a bunch of flower shapes first:
I cut the shirt into strips, folded the strip in half, cut that into segments, then cut these little shapes out.  I wanted them kind of elongated in one direction, since I'd be gathering them in that same direction.
Soon I had quite the little pile:
Some of them turned out pretty crazy, but that's ok.  You can't tell once they're on the shirt.
Next, I did a gathering stitch down the middle, going long-ways.  I did some singles, but mostly doubles, like the one pictured above.  Then I gathered by pulling on my bobbin threads.  After it was gathered, I pulled the top threads to lock that sucker down.
After I had gathered all of them, it was time to place them on the shirt.  I put on the shirt and pinned the leaves in place, as guidelines.  Also, to make sure I didn't have any leaves pointing anywhere awkward (you know what I mean).
I chose to hand sew most of my flowers on.  I started with my machine, but once I got to where they were really close together, I switched, because I'm sure my machine (which is a monster and only goes moderately fast and super fast- it stalls if I try to sew slowly) would have gone crazy and gotten away from me and sewed everything down flat, when I wanted the same loose, almost ruffly look of the Garnet Hill shirt.  So.  I sewed  by hand.
Then I put it on, realized that my buxomness caused it to look more sparse than it did lying flat, so I took it off, cut, gathered, and applied more fabric flowers.  And then...
(It is unexpectedly hard to take a decent picture of yourself in the mirror.  Or I am uncommonly bad at it.)
I love it.  It's not the same fabulous green as the one from Garnet Hill, but for an eleventh of the price, I'm cool with that.




68 comments:

Chrisy's Cottage said...

OMGosh!! What a darling idea. you really did a good job. I dabble in a little alterd art and I'm taking a cuff class tonight. I'm loving this.

Jen said...

Holy Moly sister that is darling! I've seen alot of cute shirts but this one is off the charts. Gonna do it for sure -thanks for the tutorial! p.s. my sister lives in Lehi Utah - her name is Amy Browning

Nina @ Momma Go Round said...

This is so stinkin adorable! I don't have a sewing machine, but I might tackle this one by hand since it's just way too cute! Great job :)

Casa Mia * My House * said...

Wow, just my style. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kim@Simply Domestic said...

You did a great job! I can't wait to try this!

Bonnie said...

I love it!! Very well done.

Brandy said...

That is so cute.

Aubree said...

Marking this for later use! Thanks!

Jackie said...

I am going to try this! You are amazing!

Kristen said...

Wow, looks just like the GH shirt. Amazing!! You're inspiring me to maybe give it a try and I don't sew! :)

Empty Nest Full Life said...

These are so cute. I think I may have to try one. Jackie

Empty Nest Full Life said...

These are so cute. I think I may have to try one. Jackie

lar1203 said...

looks so good! i think i'll have to try your technique!

Tanyia said...

Stopping by from the Under the table and dreaming Sunday Showcase, great project! :) I LOVE how it turned out!

Here is mine if you want to stop by :)

http://xsurvivingmotherhoodx.blogspot.com/2010/07/upcycled-jeans-to-plastic-bag-holder.html

Amanda said...

(under the table and dreaming lead me to your blog!) i must say, in complete honesty, i like the shirt you made BETTER than the $44 bank breaker from GH! if i had any idea whatsoever how to use my sewing machine, i'd be going nuts right now putting one together for myself! looks awesome girl.

www.perfectimperfection13.blogspot.com

-Amanda

Becky said...

OOOH!! I love that! so pretty. Im a total tshirt kind of girl and IO love how its comfy and still dressy!

Becky
mrsbettierocker.blogspot.com

Stopping by from the Sunday Showcase.

Fuzzy Slippers said...

Wow this is so cool! I *heart* your shirt (and I like the grey better than the green too!). Excellent job and thanks for the tutorial too. :)

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Hello! Love this - yours looks fantastic! Just wanted to let you know I featured this today! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week! Stephanie Lynn

Amanda@The Hand Me Down House said...

Girl that shirt is awesome! I LOVE it - I'm totally saving this to do in the future. You did such a great job, Kasia! :)

Donene said...

This looks so great, it is so darling! I love it!

amycornwell said...

I love this! Thanks for posting. Can't wait to try it myself!

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Oh my goodness, I just cant believe how good these look!
You are very talented!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

Kat @ Black Kats Design said...

Wow, so pretty! I just love it. I really need to get on the pretty ruffly flowered shirt bandwagon. I'm feeling out of style.

I’m having a new link party “Cheap Thrills Thursday” starting tomorrow. It’s for creative ideas that cost under $20. If you have a project you’d like to share, I’d love for you to stop by and join in!
Kat
www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

Mom in High Heels said...

That's really cute! What a great job you did and for that price? AMAZING!!!

Anonymous said...

Super cute! I love these shirts and don't want to pay the expensive prices either. Thanks for sharing - you did an awesome job!

Dee said...

I seriously need to learn how to sew!! LOVE IT!

Kelli @ WhimsiKel said...

I love this. I must make one. :)

Nancy said...

This is so cute, one of the best I've seen, I'm headed to Wal-Mart! Thanks for sharing.

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

Super cute... I really need to pull out my sewing machine and try to sew more.

Anonymous said...

Lovely--have just cut out my flowers for this project. Thanks much for the inspiration.

jbr said...

Love this look. I will be doing this on a t-shirt soon.

Becca said...

Kasia,

This is dreamy! I love it! I will be featuring it on my BCD on Aug. 20th! Thanks for linking!

Becca

C.R.A.F.T. said...

this is GREAT :) be sure to link up to MMM this coming Monday so I can feature you soon!!!

berg4 said...

Absolutely fabulous! So glad you said you can sew this by hand, I think your directions and pictures are inspirational enough to give this a go. Thanks!

Kristen Duke Photography said...

LOVE it!!! I love those shirts, but I never see $2 shirts at wal mart...great idea to buy one larger for the fabric.

Diana said...

This is a beautiful DIY. I have to try this.

Kat @ Black Kats Design said...

Thanks for linking up to the “Cheap Thrills Thursday” party at Black Kats Design. I hope you had fun and will join in again next Thursday!

I also featured your project on my Fab Friday Favorites post. Hop on by and pick up a featured button!

Kat
www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com

Lori@momsbyheart.net said...

Love this! I featured you on Momspiration Mondays - hope you'll stop over and say hello.

http://www.momsbyheart.net/2010/08/momspiration-monday.html

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Very cute! I'm definitely going to try this!

Maggie said...

Amazing idea!!! Love it, I gotta do this. <3

sertyan said...

I really admire people who can make replica version of clothes at a fraction of the branded one's price - you are so talented and creative.

Sertyan
http://sertyan.blogspot.com

sertyan said...

I really admire people who can make replica version of clothes at a fraction of the branded one's price - you are so talented and creative.

Sertyan
http://sertyan.blogspot.com

Craftiness NOW said...

these look amazing! how pretty, love this idea :-)

Katie said...

OMG! I love this. I'm going to wal*mart at lunch; however, I know I'm not going to be able to find a $2 shirt... everyone always finds $2 shirts except me! lol.

Sunshine's Design said...

Love this! It looks so cute and feminine!

sommerhowey said...

I love this. It looks so nice. Thank you for sharing!

saffiertje said...

This is such a great idea! love the way the flowers turned out!!!!

Thanx for sharing!

love Miranda

Tara Amelz said...

I featured you on my blog :)
Can't help it! I love your work on this tee.

Come and take a look:
http://taraamelzallposts.blogspot.com/2010/08/plain-tee-gone-pretty-loving-kasias.html

La Maison Reid said...

I absolutely adore what you did. I can't wait to try it (bad YOU...I already have a LONG list of things to do and this may have to be put on top!)
Thanks for the tutorial!
xoxo
Nancy

Adrienne said...

I saw your feature and ran out to make my own version of this!!! I love it! Thanks for a great tutorial! I just posted mine!

http://adrienneslittleworld.typepad.com/a_glimpse_of_me_a_peek_in/2010/08/garnet-hill-knock-off-tshirt.html

Sagar said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Sew Much Ado said...

What a great tutorial and shirt!

I'd love it if you entered the Copycat Challenge that I'm hosting, the prizes are great! You can go here for details:

http://sewmuchado-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/10/copycat-challenge-details.html

Sagar said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Sagar said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

cooltees said...

Awesome shirt!


Cool Shirts

Rebekah said...

well done! i love this-may have to try this myself. going to walmart this afternoon so i'll be looking for a couple of shirts to try this with! thanks for posting!

Nicole@Thrifty Decorating said...

LOVE it!! Saw you on UCreate! :)

Belinda said...

I've been wanting an embellished tee and they are just so darned expensive! Now maybe I can do one for myself. Thanks for sharing!!

trophyw.blogspot.com said...

favorite shirt redo ever and I've been doing a lot lately

Shelli said...

I went out shopping tonight trying to find a shirt like this for my 6 year old. I shopped at every single store in the city and didn't find one in the color we need for a wedding. Now I know just what to do! Too bad I didn't read this until after I got back from a 4 hour shopping trip empty handed. Thanks for the tutorial!

Faroteo said...

I love it!!

todomini said...

Great idea!! I love it!! :)

Katariina said...

Thanks for a great idea! Found it from Pinterest and just had to do it. Here you can see how it turned out http://aikakivoja.blogspot.fi/2012/06/tuunaa-ja-tuhoa-t-paitasi-osa-kukkii-se.html . It's in Finnish but pics tell you the most. I'm giving you full credits for a great tutorial and only explaining what I did differently, basicly cos I was beng lazy :). Have a great summer!
Katariina
aikakivoja.blogspot.com

Lina said...

Sush a beautiful shirt. I serached awhile to find the original source after pinning it on Pinterest. So happy I found it. I made one just like it following your tutorial. Check it out here:
http://redesignbylarras.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love this but have a question. Don't the flowers unravel?? Or fray?

Mystical said...

Lovely♡

Hazard said...

Oh my goodness, this is lovely! I've been combing the internet for a good hour now for the right fabric flower look for a dress, and this is PERFECT.

Sue Ogden said...

I woke up today and decided I wanted to do something crafty with all the dozens of Walmart t shirts in my closet- this is a great idea. thanks for posting with all the close up photos