As the Aladdin song goes, can you feel the love tonight? Today’s refashion tutorial is a love cut out shirt, where the word LOVE is on your back.
Remember this heart cut-out t-shirt refashion that I made for Valentine’s Day? And the heart shaped back cut out t-shirt? That shirt is one of my favorites. I wear it out and about a lot. Like I said last week, tons of people have told me how much they love it, too. So, we’re going to make more of these lovely upcycled and refashioned t-shirts. My goal is to have an entire dresser drawer full of these lovelies by the end of the year! I now have a list of Valentine’s Day refashs for ya, too.
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Why I Love This Chic Love Cut Out Shirt
Lots of t-shirts feature something on the front of the shirt. Funny sayings, decorations, etc. But what about the back? It often gets ignored in the fashion world.
That’s why I love this shirt. It’s plain on the front, so you can throw a sweater or a jacket over it if you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. But if you are at a casual party, you can show the love.
The letters themselves have a wonderful lace instead of being solid for an added touch of vavoom for the day of love.
The LOVE letters aren’t that difficult to cut out. If you aren’t happy with your own handwriting, you can use freezer paper to transfer a print out, or you can just print something out using regular paper. You would then cut the letters out, lay them on your t-shirt, and use chalk or a fabric marker to mark the letter outlines.
While we are at it, you can use any kind of template to cut out, such as a heart.
FAQs for the “Love Cut Out Shirt” DIY Project
1. What Fabric Is Best for the ‘Love Cut Out Shirt’? For the “Love Cut Out Shirt”, a stretchy fabric works best. It should have enough give to accommodate movement without distorting the cut-out design. Think jersey knit or cotton blends. These materials also sew well with lace, ensuring a clean, professional look.
2. Can I Use Different Words or Designs Instead of ‘LOVE’? Absolutely! The beauty of this project is its versatility. Feel free to choose any word or design that resonates with you. Just ensure the design is not too intricate, as simpler designs are easier to cut out and sew onto the shirt.
3. How Do I Choose the Right Lace Color? The lace color should contrast with your shirt for maximum impact. If your shirt is dark, go for a light-colored lace, like white or pale pink. For lighter shirts, a bold lace color, like red or black, can make a striking statement.
4. Can I Machine Wash the Shirt After Refashioning? Yes, the refashioned shirt can be washed in the washing machine as normal. However, it’s advisable to turn the shirt inside out before washing to protect the lace detailing.
5. What If I Don’t Have a Sewing Machine? No worries! You can hand sew the project. It’ll take longer, but it’s completely doable. Use small, tight stitches to secure the lace to the shirt for a durable finish.
6. How Do I Prevent the Fabric from Fraying? To prevent fraying, use a zigzag stitch along the cut edges or apply a fray check liquid. These methods will secure the raw edges and extend the life of your shirt.
7. Is This Project Suitable for Beginners? Yes, it’s beginner-friendly. The most challenging part is the cutting of the letters, but with a steady hand and patience, it’s manageable. Sewing is straightforward, especially if you’re hand sewing.
8. How Long Does the Project Take to Complete? Depending on your skill level, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Cutting the letters requires the most time and precision. Sewing is relatively quick, especially if you’re using a sewing machine.
9. Can I Add Additional Decorations to the Shirt? Certainly! Feel free to add sequins, beads, or other decorative elements. Just ensure they don’t interfere with the comfort or wearability of the shirt.
10. What’s the Best Way to Trace the Design on the Shirt? Use a fabric chalk or a washable fabric marker for tracing. These tools allow for precise marking and are easily removable, reducing the chance of permanent marks on your shirt.
Step-by-Step Refashion Tutorial
Materials needed:
- A plain black t-shirt.
- Stetchy lace
the stuff here is fuschia (which would also look awesome) — I used red.
My husband brought me home this free shirt. Plain, black t-shirt. We need to do something about that.
Turn wrong-side out. Using another shirt that fits, mark on both sides of the t-shirt.
Make sure to line up the bottom of the shirt and at the armpit.
Pin.
Sew up. Turn at the armpits, and also sew on the sleeves.
Cut.
Turn right-side out. Mark 1 1/2″ from the edge on the armpit, on both sides.
Mark across.
Measure 5″ from that line, and mark across.
Write out your desired words … Lexi chose “LOVE.”
Cut out a block of stretchy, lace fabric in a contrasting color. I chose red … for love. 🙂
This is the difficult part … pin the red fabric to the inside of the shirt.
Turn right-side out.
Sew on the outside of the letters.
Cut out all the letters on the white marked lines.
Turn wrong-side out, and cut out the excess fabric. This step isn’t necessary, but I don’t like the extra fabric. Be careful of the accidentally cutting into the red lace.
Voila!
I love it. 🙂
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