https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/i-killed-elmo-tee-to-shawl • Posted by EmmyMakesThings
I had this XL tee shirt with Elmo on it. I had no idea how to "fix it" into something wearable that kept the images on the shirt in-tact. So I killed Elmo and made him into something new. RIP Elmo.
I had this XL tee shirt with Elmo on it. I had no idea how to "fix it" into something wearable that kept the images on the shirt in-tact. So I killed Elmo and made him into something new. RIP Elmo.
Ok, so I took these as I was figuring out the project so bear with me. First cut off the collar. In this picture I left about an inch of space between the sleeve and the new neckline, but I later found out that doesn't matter. You can cut straight across the top, shoulder to shoulder, you'll just have two separate pieces of fringe later.
Next, take off the sleeves and the bottom hem.
Now shred your childhood memory. Cut until you're about an inch-ish away from the top of the shirt. Do this to the entire shirt. Make sure the final number of strips is divisible by 2.
Because of the sleeves, there's gonna be little do-dads like this. Just cut it off so you've got a straight edge and continue shredding.
I don't have a picture for this bit so I'll do my best to describe it... Once the whole thing is shredded, take one of the top corners of each piece and just tie the last ropes together at the top. Do the same on the other side so you have a circle. Try to figure out how big you want the neck hole to be before you tie, because you can cut chunks of fringe out to make it smaller. This was a big shirt, so if I left it as-is, it wouldn't have fit me even as a skirt. Let me know if this doesn't make sense.
Now take each rope and tie it around the collar. As you go along, stretch each rope out. Sometimes it's easier to stretch it before you knot it, but do whatever works best for you.
Here's what it should look like when you're done.
Next you want to tie double knots in pairs around the shawl. Go all the way around like this. Here's where having a dress form helps, but your knees or the floor or a random person off the street can work just as well. I'm using a scrap piece of fringe here, because I got distracted halfway thru this project and forgot to take pictures...Make sure your knots are tighter than the ones in this photo.
Then make another row all the way around. Keep repeating this until you get it to a place you like it or run out of room. I did this four times because I wanted the fringe at the end to be long.
And you're done! :) Wear it proudly.