This tutorial is to show you how to turn a plain t-shirt into a stunning ribbon fringe shirt. This project is the perfect way to use small pieces of scrap ribbon. As Ive mentioned before in other tutorials, there is no right or wrong method for making any of the items I am demonstrating. There may be a better way of making this project, but I hope this tutorial will at least give you a starting point.
Materials Needed:
Scissors
Heat N Bond No Sew Iron On Adhesive
Heat N Bond Hem Tape (3/8 and 7/8)
Iron
Lighter
Ribbon**
**Note: In this tutorial, I used approx. ½ yd piece of 1.5 ribbon to go across the width of the shirt and approximately 18 pieces of scrap ribbon about 4 long.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Step 1: Using your 1.5 longer piece of ribbon, measure across the front of the shirt and trim excess ribbon. (Fig. 1) Seal ends of ribbon by brushing a lighter flame on the ends.
Step 2: I generally lay out ribbon scrap pieces under the large strip of ribbon just to get a general idea of how I want my shirt to look. (Fig 2)
Fig 3 Fig 4
Step 3: Once I am satisfied with how everything looks, I cut a strip of Heat N Bond No Sew Iron On Adhesive approximately ½ to Ύ wide and the length of the 1.5 ribbon. It doesnt have to be exact. This is just to help adhere the ribbon scrap pieces to the 1.5 strip of ribbon. (Fig 3-4)
Fig 5 Fig 6
Fig 7
Step 4: Measure the length of the adhesive strip to go across the back of the 1.5 ribbon strip. Place strip (paper side up) on the lower half of the 1.5 ribbon strip. Press and move iron across the adhesive paper slowly to activate the adhesive to stick to ribbon strip. Let cool completely before removing paper back. (Fig 5-7)
Fig 8 Fig 9
Fig 10
Step 5: Arrange 4 ribbon pieces face down on the adhesive strip on back of ribbon. It is not necessary for the pieces to be even on either end. You will trim the pieces on the bottom at a later step. Press and hold iron on ribbon pieces for approx. 10-12 seconds. Make sure you let this cool completely and sets before picking up your ribbon fringe because the ribbon pieces will fall off since the adhesive is still hot. (Fig 8-10)
Fig 11 Fig 12
Fig 13
Step 6: Now cut a strip from the roll of No Sew adhesive that is 1.5 in width (same width as the ribbon). This will need to be cut a little more precise. Trim to the length of your ribbon strip. Iron the adhesive (paper side up) to the back side of the ribbon strip on top of the ribbon pieces. This strip of adhesive will be used to adhere the shirt to ribbon fringe. Iron the adhesive to the ribbon fringe slowly to activate the adhesive onto the ribbon fringe. Let it cool completely then remove the paper backing. (Fig 11-13)
Fig 14
Step 7: Position ribbon fringe on shirt. I generally place this a little below the middle of the shirt. It is perfectly alright to have uneven ribbon piece (fringe) and some may even hang off of the bottom of the shirt. You will be trimming the fringe to your desired length in the next step. Press and hold iron on top of the ribbon fringe for 10 to 12 seconds to adhere ribbon fringe to shirt. Slowly move iron across ribbon fringe until it is attached to the shirt. Once again, allow this to cool completely before you test to see if the shirt and ribbon fringe are stuck together. If you pull on the ribbon fringe before it cools, then it will pull up because it is still pliable. Once it is cooled, you can test for adhesion. If you find any place that is not stuck good, simply press/hold iron on it again.
Fig 15 Fig 16
Step 8: Evenly trim ribbon pieces to desired length. Once you have them trimmed, cut the ends of the ribbon pieces at an angle. I generally cut random angles. (Fig 15-16)
Step 9: Seal ribbon ends by lightly brushing a flame from a lighter. This will prevent the ends from fraying because it melts the ends.
YOUR DONE!
**ADDITIONAL IDEAS:
You can layer the strip that goes across the width of the shirt by adding 7/8 and/or 3/8 strips on top of the 1.5 piece. The only word of caution is that a layered ribbon strip becomes rather stiff, but is still very cute.
Materials Needed:
½ yd each 1.5, 7/8, and/or 3/8
Heat n Bond Hem Tape in 7/8 and 3/8 width
Iron
Step 1. Lay your 1.5 ribbon strip down as the bottom layer.
Step 2. Cut a strip of 7/8 Hem Tape and center on top of 1.5 ribbon. Place 7/8 ribbon on top of the hem tape. Press/hold iron and move slowly across layers until stuck.
Step 3. If adding a 3/8 ribbon on top of the 7/8 ribbon, repeat previous step by adding 3/8 hem tape and placing the 3/8 ribbon on top and ironing.
*(See pics below)
*Continue as directed at beginning.
TIPS/HINTS:
Machine washable and either tumble dry on low or hang to dry. I have made some for my daughter and have washed/dried as I do most of my other laundry with no problems. But, if you are making these to sell to customers, I would recommend a gentle care when washing/drying.
Craft Show Idea: You could make the ribbon fringe without ironing them to a shirt. Simply leave the paper strip on the back of the fringe (at the end of step 6). Skip Step 7 and finish step 8 & 9. You can simply sell a neat ribbon fringe and provide instructions to your customers on how to iron the fringe on a shirt as well as care instructions. This will keep cost down for you by not having to invest in shirts. I think it would be a great product to demonstrate at your both to attract customers.
