Upcycled t-shirt (AKA My sewing)

t-shirt turned trousers

@BellaDoc (762)

San Diego, California

February 26, 2016 5:45am CST

A few small organizational changes in our home have meant that I have been able to leave my sewing machine out on the table ready to use at the drop of a hat. This is important when you have a non-napping 14 month old child; every opportunity to create must be embraced, otherwise it will never happen. This photograph is a pair of trousers I made from an old t-shirt of my husbands. It's my prototype and fits from one year old through to 3 years old due to the flexible cuffs and waist. Please don't be concerned about the non-matching stripes, and alternatively join me in my excitement that embrace... 1. I had a chance to sew 2. I was able to save an item from landfill or donation 3. I saved money 4. I actually created something useful. Happy Friday! BellaDoc

17 people like this

18 responses

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

26 Feb 16

I admire anyone that can make things and the trousers look great. I've never used a sewing machine in my life.

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@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

26 Feb 16

@BellaDoc Lol at the 'sewer'!

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

2 Mar 16

@jaboUK I suppose sewist is less fragrant :)

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

26 Feb 16

I am a slow sewer (sewist?) but I love seeing the end result come to life. I have no patience for knitting, crochet or quilting however.

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ElusiveButterfly

@ElusiveButterfly (45940)

• United States

8 Mar 16

What a great idea! I really have to get my sewing machine fixed. The tension is way off and it is a mess. We had a visitor who at age 3 decided that the knobs that went round and round were fair game to play. Yay me.

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ElusiveButterfly

@ElusiveButterfly (45940)

• United States

9 Mar 16

@BellaDoc never thought to call the manufacturer or look on YouTube either. Thank you for the suggestion.

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

There's lots of help available via YouTube and facebook groups, and the manufacturer might also have some suggestions :)

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@jillybean1222 (6407)

•

22 Mar 16

i didn't realize it was made from a shirt when i read your other post about these pants. awesome!

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

25 Mar 16

Thanks! It's a great idea, obviously not my own :)

@JudyEv (342277)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Feb 16

They look so cute. Well done you! It is really helpful to be able to leave the sewing machine set up somewhere.

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@JudyEv (342277)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar 16

@BellaDoc I would think it's pretty hard being completely clutter-free with two small children.

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks Judy. My husband is being very tolerant - he usually likes our home to be completely tidy and clutter-free. I suppose he realises how much joy sewing can bring me :)

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@paigea (36315)

• Canada

8 Mar 16

Those are so cute!

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks so much!

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@SavvySprite (87)

• United Kingdom

4 Mar 16

Woohoo On another subject entirely - how is that settee even vaguely comfy?

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

LOL - it's our outdoors settee, and it is surprisingly comfortable :)

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61101)

• United States

27 Feb 16

They are adorable and how creative of you to recycle the tee-shirt!!

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

2 Mar 16

Thank you so much!

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@marlina (154130)

• Canada

26 Feb 16

I am joining you in your excitement and congratulate you for a smart idea. You did a really good job. It sure helps to have the sewing machine available at any time. I can't believe that your little one is already over a year old.

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks Marlina. Very kind. And yes, the time has flown. It's also been a while since I was tagging my posts with "geriatric pregnancy" lol.

@LadyDuck (472121)

• Switzerland

26 Feb 16

Who cares about the non matching stripes, you made a great job, congratulations.

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks Anna!

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@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

26 Feb 16

Very clever

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

They were so easy!

@JamesHxstatic (29413)

• Eugene, Oregon

6 Mar 16

Those are some very cute britches for sure.

@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks James, very kind of you

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@Morleyhunt (21744)

• Canada

26 Feb 16

Good job. I know how valuable any sewing time can be. When you get older, lighting become a major consideration.

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thank you. And yes, the lighting is already an issue for me!

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@Lucky15 (37374)

• Philippines

26 Feb 16

It looks good on the cutie. :)

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

26 Feb 16

Thanks! Sorry about the sideways photo

@Daljinder (23236)

• Bangalore, India

26 Feb 16

Its great work and congratulations on the job well done........

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@BellaDoc (762)

• San Diego, California

9 Mar 16

Thanks!

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@Tampa_girl7 (50573)

• United States

12 Apr 17

They are also really attractive

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• United States

27 Apr 16

ya mean the stripes're 'pposed to match? rofl, that's why i steer clear 'f stripes...'n most patterned fabric fer that matter :) i think those're jest adorable! so glad that'cha got that opportunity to do somethin' ya enjoy whilst rehabbin' an ol' t-shirt'n makin' such into somethin' so useful.

@garymarsh6 (23412)

• United Kingdom

12 Mar 16

Good grief 14 months already. It only seems a month or two ago that you delivered!

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

9 Mar 16

What a great idea. I agree with you that having your machine out all the time makes it much easier to sew. I used to have a separate sewing room where I could just close the door and leave everything out. I don't have room for that here in my apartment, but, of course, I am not sewing much right now.