How to Make a Flapper Shirt

The flapper style revolutionized women's fashion.

The Roaring '20s were epitomized by "flapper" fashion, which embraced all things modern. A flapper was a woman who wore her hair short and sleek and topped it with a cloche hat. Her dress was a shapeless shift worn shorter than average, and very often adorned with fringe or ruffles. Update a plain camisole with some fringed trim to create a flapper style top.

Things You'll Need

• Spaghetti strap camisole with straight or slightly curved neckline
• Measuring tape
• Fringed trim
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Threaded sewing machine or needle and thread

Instructions

1. Lay the camisole flat and measure the width and double the measurement. You will be covering both the front and back of the shirt in layers of trim. Add 2 inches to this length for turning under the raw edges.

2. Cut several pieces of fringed trim to this length. Turn the ends under 1 inch to make a finished edge and stitch.

3. Start on one side of the shirt, pin a length of trim to the bottom edge and wrap around the other side. Continue pinning this row of trim until you end up back where you started. The two ends of the trim should meet and slightly overlap.

4. Sew the row of trim in place. Double stitch for durability.

5. Align the next row of trim just above the first row. It should overlap the first row a bit. Use the measuring tape to make sure that you pin the row of trim down straight. Pin and stitch as you did for the first row.

6. 

   It was a free spirit who wore the flapper style.

   Repeat the steps above, arranging, pinning and sewing the trim to the camisole until you reach the top edge of the shirt.

References

• 1920's Flapper Fashion History
• Joann Fabric & Craft Projects: Using Lace & Trims