Tuesday, March 9, 2010

turtleneck to ruffle neck

I'm often daunted by my daughter's clothing desires. Last year, I worked through my acceptance of pink and purple... even embraced it. This season my work with her seems to be about comfort. Thankfully, I really do understand the need for comfort.

I decided to try something new with a shirt she was never going to wear anyway... it was white, boring, a hand me down from her brother... and for goodness sake, a turtleneck! Turtlenecks are chokey! I had nothing to lose by cutting off the turtle. I left about an inch.
Then I gave it lettuce edging to open it up and give it a little ruffle. The stitching was done with a contrasting salmon-pink thread. The comfy new neckline worked so well that I "lettuced" the sleeves and hem, too. I didn't cut these first, just stretched and stitched to create a little curling edge. Here are my instructions for simple lettuce edging with a standard sewing machine. I thought it was very subtle and sweet. Knowing it would still be a bit boring to a five year old girl who prefers fancy, I stamped on some of my new flowers in PINK! It got the seal of approval: hug and kiss!


I had a white turtleneck that was a bit suffocating for me, too. I used the same trick and feel ready for spring, even though it was 25 degrees when I woke up this morning!

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38 comments:

  1. Maya, I love everything about it ! Re-using, giving a new life, and with style ! Your stamps go so fantastically well with the new top !!
    And you look so great too, my friend !! Great job on both transformations !!!! way to go ! oxoxo

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  2. i love what you did with that dreary turtleneck - now it's super cute, girly - without being those scary pink/purple nightmare colors girls just love.

    well done!
    best,
    tara
    http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com

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  3. The flower stamps are really beautiful. Very asian looking design, great colour, wow. Congratulations with the wonderful creativity you have.

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  4. I tried a turtleneck conversion once. My daughter doesn't like it, but I put a facing in and I think she finds that itchy. I'll have to try the lettuce leaf edging the next time my mom (who loves turtlenecks) buys her one. Thanks for the idea.

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  5. This is a wonderful solution. And so cute too!

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  6. you are so very clever, maya! i can't stand turtlenecks, but i might have to reconsider...the shirt with your flowers stamped on is beautiful! ;)

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  7. What perfect timing! I just came across a BAG of turtlenecks the cousins had sent our way. My kids hate them, this will the perfect way to reuse them. THANK YOU!

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  8. Such a fun and fresh transformation. I love the print you have done, with the coordinating edging.

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  9. sweet, sweet, sweet
    i think the dress you made for your daughter using this method a few years ago was the very first post I read on your blog.
    I hope my memory serves me right.
    Any how, I love you reworking of the turtlenecks,
    I am dreaming of contrasting thread projects for spring and summer.

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  10. Both are darling! You are so creative and generous to share your wonderful ideas!

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  11. Thanks so much for posting this! My Mom did this lettuce technique to several sweatshirts when I was younger and I loved the look. I have a few t-shirts that are too tight in the neck and I think this would be a great way to fix them. The stamping you did make this plain old shirt so beautiful!

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  12. Oh Maya,

    These are just so charming. I wouldn't mind being your 5 year old at all, what a mom!

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  13. Great job, Maya, adding such style and comfort to a simple reused shirt. Your flower stamp design also looks lovely on your daughter's shirt!

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  14. what a wonderful way to repurpose your clothing!!!

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  15. That's so cute I bet she'll wear it now.

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  16. Oh my goodness, thank you! I hate turtlenecks too! Chokey, for sure. Now I know what to do with my little girl's turtleneck...FIX it! Thanks!

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  17. Maya, it is great! I loathe turtlenecks but now I won't skip over the next nice one I find at a thrift store. I really love the way it looks on you!

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  18. Oh so impressive, it looks so elegent..xx

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  19. I have a drawer full of turtle necks that I refuse to wear anymore. Thanks for this sweet idea!

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  20. Love that kind of edging--so feminine!

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  21. What a lovely solution! Now, where did I put those turtlenecks........

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  22. Look at that!! How clever are you? So glad I came across this blog...

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  23. love this! wish that i had time to try it today. off to put together the tax info...oh joy!

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  24. I'm all about revamping clothes. Polo necks (turle necks??!) irritate me. Think I'll give this a go.

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  25. Thank you for this! My 3 year old is boycotting turtlenecks, so a new way to use the shirts was very welcome this week.

    One worked nicely, but I screwed up the second, cutting off too much of the neck seam. So, maya*made plus angry chicken (http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2009/07/summer-sweater-thats-really-a-tshirt.html) equals a lettuce-edged cardigan for one psyched little girl!

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  26. My daughter also finds turtlenecks chokey. We need a few for bitingly cold days, but the rest are doomed, after reading your post. I used your lettuce edging tutorial the day you posted it, to repair a dress with a snagged hem. Perfect, thank you! What an inspiring blog you have.

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  27. Hey Maya,
    I love this idea and I think your instructions for this edging sound easy enough. The first thing I thought when I saw it was "I need a surger for that" and then I saw your note "...for creating with a regular sewing machine." I am SEW there! Now I just want to go to my local thrift store and get a turtleneck to try this on! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Anna

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  28. I absolutely love the plain white shirt with the leaf design! Is the twig embroidered, or is it a pin? If it is embroidered, would you mind sharing your technique?

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  29. What a cute idea! I'm going to try it on some old turtlenecks I haven't worn for years. (My son used to forget what they were called and called them "turtle back shirts")

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  30. 1. I love the flower stamp, where can I get it?

    2. I love your brooch, again, where did you get it, and can you post a bigger picture of it?

    3. I love how the brooch and the flowers go together with everything else!

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  31. Loved this idea and your instructions on the lettuce edging. I've recreated one and I'm going to post it on my blog and link back to your instructions! :)

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  32. Maya, do you know if this effect can be done on a normal sewing machine, but using overcast stitch and overcast foot? 'cos it's fab!

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  33. flibble- give it a try! I did it with a regular old sewing machine.

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  34. Lovely! Thanks for sharing this.

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