Plaited back T-Shirt

Here's the front.

So it's been a while since I've posted anything but I've finally got around to fitting in a crafty diversion. I've seen lots of ways to upcycle clothing, especially T-shirts, and this weekend decided to try one idea out - the plaited back T-shirt.

I found a T-shirt I was happy to customise. First you need to turn your T-shirt over and cut off the bottom hem - if there is one (they don't plait well).

Now you can cut a slit right across the back of the T-shirt, about halfway down depending on the length of your T-shirt (below your brastrap!). From below this point, cut the rest of the back of the T-shirt into strips. Make sure you cut the strips in sets of three. Leave the strips attached to the T-shirt at one end but cut them apart from the other. Alternate which sides you leave the strips attached to. (I lightly marked out the strips before I cut).

If you gently pull the T-shirt strips they become more like cords (see photo) - continue to do this while you are plaiting. 

Taking three cords at a time, you can now plait them and then pin the plait to the other side of the T-shirt. 

Carry on until you have plaited and pinned all the cords. 

Remember the hem I cut off? I used a piece of that to gather the plaits together. Though a little tricky, what with all the pins, you can try your creation on and adjust to fit.  

Finally sew all the plaits into place and secure the 'knot'. Wear it with (or without) a vest top!

Thank you Model 1, longer style plaited back.

Thank you Model 2, shorter style.

Alien Money Box

On our quest for things to upcycle, year 3/4 are also going to make money boxes from the infants' daily plastic milk bottles.     

We're using a decopatch type method.  

All you need is a small plastic pot, tissue paper, glue, bits and pieces to decorate.

Only two steps really:

Firstly, I've applied small pieces of tissue paper with a mix of PVA and water. There needs to be at least two layers. 

Once the glue has dried decorate your money box. We're making alien money boxes to go with our space theme, so I've made a crazy card mouth, antennae with pipe cleaners and foam (piercing the pipe cleaners through the soft plastic cap) and given him one oversized googly eye!  

Sock Owls

Class 5/6 are going to make sock animals. I'm excited about this one as it will follow on nicely from my sock rabbits and sock snowmen (tutorial for sock rabbits is on 40daysofcrafts.blogspot.co.uk). I'm having a go at sock owls using two different methods from the same sock.

Let's start with a sock - any sock will do, it doesn't have to typically owl patterned. First, I've cut the toe end of the sock off near to the heel, to a point. This will be Owl A. 

Next, using the remaining leg end of the same sock, I've made a slightly curved cut near to the heel. This will be Owl B. You can discard the heel - but keep it if you make any other sock animals as you never know when you might need it.

Owl A (left) and Owl B (right)

Owl A

You can now fill Owl A with your chosen stuffing, right up to the point. I put some rice in the bottom first to help it stand. Now, you can simply fold the triangle over and overstitch it closed, at the same time as attaching it to the stuffed sock. Or you can first stitch the point closed before folding the point over and stitching it to the stuffed sock. Yay - basic owl shape, now the rest is up to you!

Yay - basic owl shape!

Owl B

First turn the sock owl inside out and use a back stitch to stitch closed the curved end. Turn your sock the right way out - see the little pointy ears. Now, stuff the sock. 

Before sealing the owl closed I put a few tablespoons of rice on top of the stuffing (actually the bottom of the owl). I then put a running stitch through the sock cuff and pulled to closed, putting some extra stitches in to secure. My owl stands no problem - possibly the rice helps. 

So here are my two sock owl shapes ready to decorate........ 

To decorate, you could keep it sock authentic and use other sock pieces to create the wings, eyes, trims, feathers, feet etc - I used the matching sock to make wings. I cut two wing shapes for each owl, stitched them right sides together, turned them inside out and attached them to the owl body. Or you could use felt, buttons, wool or anything else you have to jazz them up.

So why not make an sock owl - it'll be a hoot!