"Twisted Shoulder" Tattoo Tank Top

This fun and funky top was made for my niece Bella, age 8.
Sadly, she has out-grown ruffles...sigh...

I started by using one of the iron-on transfers from the book "Tattoo Tees" (see post below for book details).

After the "Tattoo" was set, I cut out Ottobre Design Pattern #13, from the 04/07 issue. It is just a flared T-shirt top. I decided to omit the sleeves, and to add a little twist detail to one shoulder:

To allow for the twist, I added 1/2" in length to one front shoulder as I was cutting it out. Next I sewed the UN-twisted front shoulder seam to its matching back shoulder...then finished the armholes, neckline and hem with the serger because I wanted a very casual look for this top. The other front shoulder was twisted once (maybe twice...I just twisted it until it looked "right"). The remaining shoulder seams were then sewn as usual, Right Sides Together.

This top was fun and fast to sew...about 45 minutes from start to finish!

A Top...with a "Tattoo"

This top for my niece Willow was such fun to make!

Inspired by a post on Stacy's Blog quite a long time ago, I purchased the book "Tattoo Tees". It is a Leisure Arts book, IBSN- 978-1-60140-766-5


The book has several transfers, meant to resemble "tattoos". What I really like about these transfers is that they are shaded, intended to look like they've faded over time.

So, after I had sewn a quick knit top based on an Ottobre pattern that, when finished looked so...very...boring, I applied one of the transfers. I think it gives the top just enough panache to please a hip kid.

Lindsay asked:
"... how did you get this to look so perfect? My iron-on attempts always look sloppy."

It helps that this iron-on is not meant to look perfect, LOL! And I was lucky that this kid-size top fit on my ironing board...I didn't have to reposition anything in the middle of pressing. Also, instead of just putting paper between the layers of the shirt to prevent "bleed through", I used a piece of heavy card-stock paper (the kind from which I make my pattern blocks). That gave me a nice firm surface on which to press. After I taped the transfer to the shirt with painters' tape, I lowered my ironing board a bit, then really "leaned" onto the iron for extra pressure. All that and some luck gave me a good result :)

A Fabulous TDF Designer Detail !

WOW...I can't wait to try this fabulous embellishment technique from Trudy, The Designer of HotPatterns !

The video below is the third in a series about the
HotPatterns Cabana T Shirt. Yes, you can view this one first
...as it is a demo of an embellishment technique.

But don't miss Part One and Part Two...where Trudy gives tips about the do's and dont's of wearing T-shirts, demonstrates using different colorways, and shows high-end "right off the runway" designer variations!

So have a look at Trudy's cool designer detail...
while I dash over to the HotPatterns site
and buy this pattern!

Yet MORE artistic FUN!

CoolArtFont

While net-surfing one fine day, I found what I think is an outstanding collection of FREE nature inspired fonts.

There are 3 distinct nature collections named SAUERTWIGGO, TWIGDANCER, and MISTER TWIGGY, plus other cool fonts on Chank's "Free Fonts" page.

I am not quite sure how I will use these to enhance my personal fashions...I have some ideas...we'll see....

How would you use these "nature-letters"...hmmm? ...and be prepared for me to steal your ideas! LOL

THE SCRIBBLER! ...more artistic fun...

This is another "cool tool" for generating images. Go to the site and look at their 'gallery' to see other examples. In color or black and white, these images can be used the same way as images from 'typo-generator'. ~Click Post Title, above, to link to Scribbler~ FREE and FUN!

Yet MORE fun with TypoGenerator! (details below)

Is she Crafty? (TYPOGENERATOR)

I have been having so much fun at a site called "typogenerator" http://www.typogenerator.net/index.php


While I am not known for my crafty-abilities....Waiting for my new glasses prevents me from doing precision sewing. So, I found this cool site and have been having such a good time creating computer wallpaper, screen savers....and.....T-SHIRT TRANSFERS! I have made a collage of some of the "art" I generated that includes an example of generated text and image applied to a simple (very simple) T-shirt (see below). One of the things I appreciate about this site is that there is NOTHING to download...You generate the images right there and save what you like. And it's mindless...you have some input, but the generator does the rest. Perhaps I am easily impressed and/or amused, LOL, but you HAVE to check this out!

From the site:
What is Typogenerator?
TypoGenerator is a random generator for 'typoPosters'. A typoPoster is a poster, created from images and letters/text. It's sole purpose is just to look cool.

How does typogenerator work?
The user types some text; typoGenerator searches images/google for the text and creates a background from the found images, using randomly chosen effects. Then it places the text, also using random effects.

Enjoy!

(click pic below to see detail)

TYPO-GENERATOR....too cool!

FREE CALCULATOR FOR PATTERN-MAKING

Pattern Stringcodes is a company that provides 'block' patterns for the fashion industry. They have a nifty FREE DOWNLOAD for a "pattern-making calculator" that can be used by anyone who sews! http://pattern.stringcodes.com/main_soft.html

Among other things, you can use this calculator to create a circle skirt, half-circle skirt, or use it to create a flounce: Type in an inner circle measurement (like waist or wrist), click on the icon for full circle, half circle, quarter circle, etc....and there it is, the radius you need to make a circle skirt that fits the input waist measurement, or flounce to fit the input wrist measurement. The calculator shows results in imperial fractions and decimal at the same time, and will convert inches to decimals.

Click the title of this post (or link) to check out the details of this nifty free calculator, view a screenshot, and download.