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Attempting the T-Shirt Necklace

By 17 Comments

Last week, every day snuck up on me, catching me off guard, and leaving me behind schedule. It may have been my very heavy heart thinking about the devastation in Japan. It could have been the time change that left me groggy every day, all day. But I’m fairly certain I felt perpetually past-deadline because a “simple” craft failed me repeatedly at the start of the week and threw the blog into scramble-mode. That craft was the T-Shirt Necklace. 
T-shirt necklace after being washed. Oh dear.
Fail #1

I was looking online for fun crafts to do with my nieces after school, and came across the “T-shirt Necklace” on MarthaStewart.com. It looked easy enough. Heck, it looked like something we could crank out during a commercial break of Yo Gabba Gabba… Thankfully, I had the forethought to try this craft out BEFORE inviting the little ones over to participate, because my first two attempts at this easy craft, looked more like a squid, and something your cat might have coughed up. Seriously. 

First Attempt at T-shirt Necklace: FAIL
Fail #2
The problem with the first two attempts may have been the material used (100% cotton t-shirts that were SLIGHTLY stretchy,) but more likely it was because I used regular scissors to cut the strips of fabric, (ok, I also washed and dried the pink necklace to see if that would put some curl in my edges) and completely disregarded the rolling blade (or rotary cutter) recommendations. I was determined to make it work with regular scissors. Determined didn’t cut it, (literally & figuratively) so I borrowed a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat, and got cracking on the T-Shirt necklace again.
Third cotton tee, metal ruler, rotary cutter and the mat in hand, I was ready to make this craft happen, or scratch it completely and give my first two “cat-toy necklaces” to the animal hospital down the street.
Roll

I started by cutting the bottom cuff off the shirt. Then, like Martha recommends, began cutting horizontal strips that measured 3/4 inch wide.


S-t-r-e-t-c-h

Next, I stretched the strips out with my hands. (This was the fateful moment that tripped me up twice before.) After giving the pieces a good long stretch, they should curl slightly at the ends. This time, they curled!! They didn’t disintegrate, they didn’t kink. They did exactly what the countless websites and YouTube channels said they would…. this time.

Slices
After cutting about 20 strips, I laid the pieces out in a uniform pile. I then cut off the sleeves from my shirt, discarded the cuffs, and then sliced a couple of 3/4 inch strips from the sleeves to use as my knots.
Loop

I looped the sleeve strips around the mass of longer strips. In two different places, I tied them into knots, tucking any loose pieces into the knot. 

Finally, I had a successful T-Shirt Necklace. It looks cute when worn as one long necklace for a light, summery piece, or doubled up (to keep you warm!) in springtime!

T-Shirt Necklace SUCCESS! Doubled Up

I’ll be trying this necklace ONE more time before inviting my sweet nieces to participate. I was extremely frustrated with my first attempts, and would prefer that when a six and eight-year old are added to the mix, they don’t have to see me curse the holy name of Martha. (You know I love you Martha…)

If you decide to make your own T-Shirt necklace, I’d suggest you pick up a rotary cutter, self-healing mat, and a metal ruler, longer than the width of your shirt. When it works, it really is a fun way to give new life to old shirts, when it doesn’t, your friends will have a good laugh when you stubbornly (foolishly) wear your craft-fail out in public anyway. Happy crafting!!
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Comments

  5. Thanks CasitaMama! Those are way cute! You always have inspiration at the ready! Love it and love you!!

    Apartmentalize- I love your username! Thanks for the nice words!!

    xoxo
    radmegan

    Reply

  6. Ok seriously I know you get a gazillion posts saying people were just thinking about the same thing…BUT I have been working on my own t-shirt necklace this last week also! I’ve been trying to work out my own design so there is a chance it might be slightly different than the millions already out there. Yours is lovely though! I really really like it. Oh Martha… {another knee slapper by the way: “curse the holy name of Martha” I almost died}. You’re hilarious.

    xoxo
    Janee
    yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com

    Reply

  10. Just tried making my own t-shirt necklace. Got through the first cut with my new rotary cutter and nearly took off my finger… but it turned out great. You are my blog crush…

    Reply

  11. I have used old T-shirts to make laces and ties for years. Never have I used a rotary cutter or mat. I use regular sharp sewing scissors. I think the key is the 100% cotton T-shirt fabric. I have not seen anyone tie them together the same way you did. Having made several of these necklaces, I cannot wait to try your tying method because it looks much easier than the others I have seen.

    Reply

  12. By now, you’ve probably figured out what went wrong with your failed scarves, but i just have to ask… were you using rib t-shirt fabric — you know, the fabric that looks the same on either side, or knit — which is flatter and cleaner-looking on the outside?

    When i first started making t-shirt scarves, i used a rib t-shirt fabric, and it didn’t curl. It just started to unravel all over.
    What i figured out (thanks to my knitting knowledge) is that stockinette stitch will curl (which is why the knit fabric curls) while rib will not.

    Anyway, like i said, you probably already have figured out what went wrong with yours. But if any of your readers are wondering why theirs aren’t working, maybe my comment will help.

    Reply

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