Add an Off-Shoulder Ruffle to a T-Shirt

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A comfortable T-shirt is the wardrobe piece you usually reach for when you are heading out the door to a casual event or just lounging around the house. But you can reinvent an ordinary T-shirt to a more playful, stylish version by simply adding a ruffle to the neckline.

Finished view of the ruffle T-shirt.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Things You'll Need

  • 58-by-7-inch piece of lightweight fabric

  • Sharp scissors

  • Measuring tape

  • Iron and ironing board

  • Sewing machine with a universal 90/14 needle

  • Pins

Materials needed for the ruffle T-shirt.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1:

Use sharp scissors to cut the collar off of the T-shirt.

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Cut a new neckline.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 2:

Measure and cut a 58-by-7-inch piece of lightweight fabric to use for the ruffle.

Fold under 1/4 inch to the wrong side on the long edge of the ruffle fabric and press with a hot iron. Fold over another 1/4 inch and press again.

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Press the long edge of the ruffle under twice.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3:

Use a medium stitch length and a 90/14 universal needle to sew along the folded edge to create a hem for the ruffle.

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Sew the long edge of the ruffle.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4:

Fold the ruffle fabric in half widthwise with the right sides together. Pin and sew a seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance along the short edge.

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Pin and sew the short edge of the ruffle.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5:

Change your sewing machine to the longest stitch length.

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Change the machine to the longest stitch.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 6:

Sew a basting stitch that is 1/2 inch in along the long raw edge of the ruffle.

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Baste along the raw edge of the ruffle.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 7:

Use a marking pen or pins to mark the sides and the center front and back of the ruffle fabric.

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Mark the centers and sides on the ruffle.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 8:

Pull on one thread of the basting stitch to gather the ruffle slightly.

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Pull a basting stitch to gather the ruffle.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 9:

Place the ruffle inside the T-shirt with the raw edges together and the right side of the ruffle against the wrong side of the T-shirt. Match the sides of the ruffle to the shoulder seams and pin in place. Match the center fronts and backs of the ruffle and T-shirt and pin in place. Adjust the gathering to fit the rest of the ruffle on the neckline of the T-shirt and pin in place. Sew in place with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew.

Pin and sew the ruffle to the T-shirt.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 10:

Flip the ruffle to the outside of the T-shirt and press the seam with a hot iron. Top stitch close to the fold to create a more finished look.

Fold the ruffle over and press.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Wear your new ruffle T-shirt on both shoulders with jeans for a casual daytime look.

Front view of ruffle T-shirt with both shoulders.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Or wear it off one shoulder with a skirt for an evening look.

Finished back view of ruffle T-shirt.
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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