4.06.2009

Embellishment Week - Rosette Tank

Today is the first day of a week of "embellishment" projects. Each day we will take a basic clothing item and using VERY SIMPLE techniques, create something a little more special. Recently I was in a small boutique and was enamored with nearly every clothing item, but as I studied further, I realized that the items themselves were pretty basic. However, by adding little details to a t-shirt or a jacket, they were transformed into much more original pieces. Each of the projects that I make this week will recreate a boutique feel - with a much more manageable price tag.

Our first project is a rosette embellished tank, and can be completed in less than 30 minutes!

The only materials required for this project are 
a tank top and various coordinating fabric scraps.

Cut 4 messy circles per rosette, cutting a slit halfway through each one. 
Then, use the slits to slide the circles together (largest to smallest).

Sew the layers together, spinning the rosette as you stitch (creating a spiral pattern). 
Purposely push the fabric through so that it bunches and gathers - this gives it dimension. 

Finally, arrange the rosettes along the shoulder line and stitch down. 
After washing, the flowers look even cuter, as they have been frayed and fluffed!

This project isn't rocket science - but it does make the ordinary a little more unique
And as always, I now want one for myself!

Stay tuned each day for more simple embellishment ideas!


40 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm a new reader who LOVES your blog!! It just keeps getting better - Embellishment Week!! Thanks for the simple project and easy to follow instructions. Any chance you'll show how to applique t-shirts this week? I get the concept but can't see how to manuever the shirt on a sewing machine without ripping seams. I'm also intimidated by the stretch of the t-shirt material.

Thanks for all the inspiration!

Autumn Leah Designs said...

Sooo cute!!! And C looks absolutely adorable and I think she knows it too:)

forever folding laundry said...

I, too, am fairly new to your blog and I just love this!! I bought a plain tank top a few weeks ago for my daughter with the hope of making it cuter...now I know what I'm going to do. Thanks!

~Keri

Gordostyle said...

Love it! Cute! Cute! Cute!

Smiles!
Jen

Greta said...

I love this! Thanks for sharing - I've thought the same thoughts in boutiques before!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Such a cute idea, I also want one! :) Your sweetie-pie is just TOO adorable for words!!

Cari said...

I am so gonna use this to embellish the slippers I am making for my daughter's Easter dress. I am so excited!

I can't wait to see what else I get to learn from you this week. Thanks so much!

Hazel Mayfield said...

Kristin,

This is adorable and I must make one soon.Also your model is as sweet as ever.

Jocelyn said...

I've missed your frequent updates and LOVE the idea of embellishment week! This will be so much fun!

I'm thinking this would be really cute on the bottom corner of a t-shirt, too!

So cute -- looking forward to a fun week here!

Simply Sara said...

So adorable, the tank top and your little angel!

Looking forward to the rest of the week :)

Anonymous said...

That is one of the cutest little models that I have ever seen. I'm going to make a couple of the tees for my 2 year old granddaughter.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Nikki

Katie said...

Oh wow, I love it! Those plain tanks can be found for so cheap and what a fun way to personalize them and make them extra special too!

Jill said...

ADORABLE!!!! The tank AND the little girl! :) LOVE this idea!!!!-off to buy some tanks....

Thanks for sharing!
Blessings!

gatornic said...

Great idea! I wonder if the rosettes would also look cute all along the neckline or right in the center (three in a row). Very cute and simple idea, I can't wait to try it!!
Great blog!

Elizabeth @ things with feathers said...

What an adorable little idea. I wonder if my two-year-old son would mind the rosettes? sigh... i need a girl.

Kristie McNealy said...

Adorable! I think my girls need shirts like that to match the skirts I made using your 8 panel pattern. PI have just enough scraps left over!

Liz said...

Oh. My. Gosh. That is the cutest picture I've ever seen! She is adorable!

Mique (as in Mickey) said...

Kristin strikes again! Amazing. :)
Love it.
Hope you don't mind if I share on 30days soon.

Lala said...

Hi Kristin!!! OH SUPER CUTE!!! I'm DEFINITELY going to try this one... added to "THE LIST"!

Can't wait to see the rest of the week!

Lala :o)

Jessica said...

Thanks so much for this fun tutorial!! LoVE it! And how stinkin' cute is that last photo??!!

Katherine said...

This is so cute! I am a new reader as well and I am loving your ideas! Thanks for the step by step- it's always so helpful!

Christie said...

I'm new to your blog and have spent the past hour going through old posts! Wow! I've added about 15more things to my (already too long) "gotta-try" list. Thank you! Your little girl is adorable!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Oh I love it! I'm going to make one for myself! I'll be linking.

Anne said...

So very cute!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-embel…abric-rosettestutorial-embellish-a-tank-with-fabric-rosettes/2009/04/07/
--Anne

Anne said...

oops! Forgot to tell you that the post will be active at 9:20 CST April 7.

Vintage Dutch Girl said...

Eeek! WAY to cute and easy...which means I will want to use my 'free' time to do projects instead of clean the house :)

Mikki said...

Adorable!! As cute as that little tank top is, it's got nothing on the cutie-pie wearing it!!!!

Unknown said...

The rosettes are cute and the model is sooo adorable!

Heather - Dollar Store Crafts said...

Seen on One Pretty Thing! Very cute!!

Suzanne in TX said...

This is so cute and EASY!!! Just what every crafter loves to see. I love your model--the tee looks perfect for her. Now, where is yours???

SouthernDogwoods said...

I am not sure how I missed your Wonderful Embellishment Tutorials but I am so glad I found them! I love this one and have been wanting to make a fabric flower for a while now. Now I can give it a try - I doubt mine will look as good as yours though!

Heather said...

thank you soooo much for this tutorial! I have seen these rosettes online, but never close up enough to figure out the mechanics behind it. And hooray for "messy circles"!

Ashlee said...

This is now my project for the weekend. Thanks for the idea. Usually I just use yo-yos for embellishment, but I really like the "messy" flowers.

Butterfly Baby Place said...

I just found your blog and it is awesome! Such cute project ideas!

Carrie said...

Just happened upon your blog and I absolutely LOVE your ideas. I tried the flowers and maybe I'm just dense-- didn't turn out like yours. Is there any way you could email me the pictures of the flowers put together with the slits? I don't think I was doing it right :) carrie(dot)giles(dot)warner@gmail.com
Thank you for your help. You are truly a creative genius! :)

Kerri said...

thank you for helping the less creative people in the world, like me! love your site!!!!!!!!

Erika :: Ollie & Olina said...

Thanks for such a cute idea!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4498644978_85b06fd66b_m.jpg

Amy said...

This is so cute and simple. Thanks for the tutorial!

Unknown said...

so cute! I am inspired to try it on one of my tanks. Thanks for the idea!

eetomost said...

I am loving all the flower ideas! I have to go make this ASAP!! Thanks for your ideas:) Your blog is ROCKIN' it out!!!

Leigh
asheville, NC
www.bowzart.net