Shirt Made From Handkerchiefs

Handkerchiefs or bandanas have more possibilities than just wiping your nose. These inexpensive square pieces of fabric have finished hemmed edges and come in a variety of prints. Sew a shirt made with handkerchiefs for just a couple of dollars. The finished edges prevent seams from fraying and there is no need to add a new hem to the shirt. It is an affordable way to create a new wardrobe for the summer. This quick sewing project can be completed in an hour.

Things You'll Need

• 3 handkerchiefs or bandanas, each 22 square inches
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• 1-inch-wide elastic; amount determined by body measurement
• Safety pin
• 1/8 yard fusible interfacing

Instructions

1. Place two of the handkerchiefs together. If there is an obvious wrong side to your handkerchief fabric, place the handkerchiefs with their right sides together. Pin together one edge of the handkerchiefs and also the one directly across from it. These are the sides to your shirt. Stitch the pinned edges using a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to prevent the stitches from coming undone later. You now have a tube. Do not turn right side out.

2. Choose which open end of the handkerchief tube will be the top of your shirt. Fold down the top edge a 1/4-inch to the wrong side and press. Fold the edge down another 1 1/2 inches, press and pin. Stitch the pinned fold around the shirt to create a casing. Leave 2 inches unsewn.

3. Wrap a 1-inch wide elastic around your body, above your bust line. Pull it as tight as what is comfortable and cut the elastic an inch longer than this measurement. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic. Insert the safety pin in the opening of the casing and thread the elastic around the shirt. Pull both ends out of the opening and remove the safety pin. Overlap the ends an inch and sew together using a zigzag stitch. Pull the elastic back into the casing. Sew the opening closed.

4. Adjust the shirt so that the side seams are evenly placed on each side of the shirt. Topstitch over the elastic in the casing at each side seam. This will prevent the elastic from rolling and twisting when laundering the shirt.

5. Cut two strips from the remaining handkerchief, 2 1/2 inches wide by the width of the handkerchief. These are your shoulder straps. Cut two strips from fusible interfacing the same size. Lay the handkerchief strips on your ironing surface with the wrong side up. Place the fusible interfacing on the strips with the glue side down. Match the edges and iron to adhere the pieces together.

6. Fold a shoulder strap in half with the right sides together and the long edges matching. Pin the long edges together. Sew the pinned edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat with the other shoulder strap. Turn the straps right side out. Flatten the straps with the seam running down the center of one side. Iron the straps. Top stitch along each long edge of the straps, a 1/4 inch from the edge.

7. Put on the tube part of the inside out shirt while wearing a bra. Line up the side seams with the sides of your body. With the aid of a helper, place the shoulder straps over the bra straps with the center seam facing outward. The seams will be on the inside of the finished shirt. Pin the straps to the casing.

8. Remove the shirt. Top stitch around the top edge of the shirt a 1/4 inch from the edge. This will attach the straps as it finishes the edge. Trim away the excess from the strap ends. Turn the shirt right side out.

Tips & Warnings

• This shirt will fit women with a bust size that is smaller than double the width of one handkerchief, minus an inch. The elastic can be adjusted smaller.