https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/button-embellished-top • Posted by carlyjcais
Inspired by the original DIY'er, Martin Margiela, I've dipped into my overflowing stash of mismatched buttons to craft a fabulously avant-garde-style t-shirt. The shirt I used was actually one of my husband's that he discarded due to a couple tiny stains on the front. But that's what DIY's for! Cover up stains, patching, pilling, or a design you don't like...or add interest to an otherwsie boring piece. There's a ton of great art and photos out on the internet - or you can create your own image and use it as a template for button placement. I chose monochromatic buttons so that the image would appear "pixellated" when standing from afar - and though I chose to make an eye (in my own homage to Salvador Dali), you could make anything your heart desires.
Inspired by the original DIY'er, Martin Margiela, I've dipped into my overflowing stash of mismatched buttons to craft a fabulously avant-garde-style t-shirt. The shirt I used was actually one of my husband's that he discarded due to a couple tiny stains on the front. But that's what DIY's for! Cover up stains, patching, pilling, or a design you don't like...or add interest to an otherwsie boring piece. There's a ton of great art and photos out on the internet - or you can create your own image and use it as a template for button placement. I chose monochromatic buttons so that the image would appear "pixellated" when standing from afar - and though I chose to make an eye (in my own homage to Salvador Dali), you could make anything your heart desires.
Pre-wash t-shirt if it hasn't been washed already. Place cardboard or t-shirt board inside t-shirt to flatten front.
(Optional) If you are using a piece of artwork as a template, slide it inside your tee, just on top of the board. Secure with tape. Decorate
Now's the time to channel your inner artiste! Place tee on a flat surface and start covering it with buttons. Start with the black outlines,
then place the brightest white buttons on the brightest white parts of the eye. (You'll probably spend a lot of time squinting at your picture.) Stand back every few minutes to see if you like the effect, and adjust your placement as necessary.
Make it Permanent When you're pleased with your button artwork, now you need to take each button off and affix it to the t-shirt. For the larger buttons add a daub of glue to its back; for the smaller dot glue onto the shirt itself. If you plan to go back and sew your buttons for more security - be careful you don't get any glue in the buttonholes. (If you are using shanked buttons, you'll have to hand-sew them on to the shirt.)
After you've glued all your buttons down, allow the glue to dry per the instructions.
(Optional) Remove board from tee, and proceed to sew all the buttons down to the front of your shirt. (Drop the sewing machine's feed dogs, and zigzag into 2 holes of each button - which should be secure to hold it on and allow you to machine-wash your shirt.)7. Wear and enjoy all the extra attention. (If you have chosen not to sew your buttons down, follow the washing instructions on the glue. Some glues are not fast when put in the wash, so be careful when choosing!)
Pair with black and white pieces to make your monochromatic look. Here's looking at you, kid! And check out my blog Chic Steals for more DIY tutorials and fun embellishing projects!
Thanks for reading - and if you have any questions, ask them in the Comments section below and I'll do my best to help you out! xoxox Carly J. Cais