And the stitching goes on! Using the new eTee download pattern and the Alabama Chanin organic cotton knit in Dark Grey, Kathy created this darling t-shirt that she claims is "girly", but we love it anyway for its creativity and charm.
For those of us who went to the Alabama Chanin hands-on workshop, most of us are still working on our epic projects, and will be until ... whenever. So how nice it is to get back to the machine and stitch up a quick t-shirt and then use a little of what we learned to embellish it by hand.
After the t-shirt is totally complete, hems and all, then it's time to use a chalk marker to draw six parallel lines 1" apart starting at the bottom of the shirt and following the gentle curve of the hemline.
Cut several 1/2"-wide strips of the same knit across the width of the fabric. Thread a size 6 or 7 milliners needle with four strands of cotton embroidery floss. Starting at one side seam, place a strip on top of a chalk line and stitch using a running stitch (about 1/4" stitches) for a few inches. Hand pleat the fabric and carry the needle through the pleats to hold them in place. Then continue on with laying the strip flat and stitching. Vary the distance between pleats and the number of pleats per section, from one pleat to three. When you come to the end of a strip, just overlap a new strip on top of the other and continue stitching and pleating. Sew six rows to the shirt or any number that appeals to you. Kathy sewed the strips to the front of the t-shirt only, but you can sew them all the way around if you are so inclined.
This technique is so relaxing and is the perfect activity while someone else in your family controls the TV "clicker". Your shirt will be done in no time!