T-shirt Refurbished (no sewing needed)

So I saw this temptation on the Brassy Apple blog and I became really excited because I like the idea of refurbishing. I have picked up a lot of t-shirts and jeans from garage sales in hope of salvaging them into something cool. When I saw this contest...I thought it would be cool to use my own imagination to come up with a cool **new** idea, to me at least, and then show everyone what I made. (Especially since I mooch others ideas ALL THE TIME!! Picture will be another post, another time.)

SO, I MADE A CAPE!! Yes, since I have boys it is a "super hero, "evil knight" cape...but it works for boys or girls.

and the best news YOU CAN MAKE THIS WITHOUT A SEWING MACHINE!! I did use one, but just for reinforcement. Basically, I just cut off the sleeves and the front of the shirt, leaving the collar...and you have the cape...read on for pictures and details about a few other cuts I made...

Now for the Tutorial!! (I would read all the instructions before starting)

I started with a plain t-shirt This is a guys M or L (put the shirt on the child to see the length of the shirt...you might want to use a shorter shirt or just cut off the end!)

--I chose to just use the back of the shirt, seeing as I might find a way to use the pic on the front. (If you have old super hero shirts, shirts with fun thing your kid likes...you can use that for the picture on the cape.)

--This is where you want to cut up your shirt. I cut off the sleeves first, then I cut up the sides of the shirt. At this point you should have the front and back left only connected by the neck and shoulder seams.

--You should know which side you want as the cape (the other is trash) I chose the back b/c I didn't want the fortune cookie on the cape I was adding a letter to the back ,later on.

--So, I cut the shoulder seams up to the neck line but not through and then I cut around the neck on the front of the shirt (or the back depending on the side you want). Note: look at the below picture with the blank back of the shirt and the ring at the top where the neck is there.

It definitely looks weird at this point...but I am sure you see where is is going.

I used my rotary cutter and mat to cut this, if you don't have one...just use scissors...you will get the same results.

--I cut from the top corner by the neck (where the neck and shoulder seams meet) to the outside edge of the bottom of the t-shirt. (If still confused...look at the next picture)

--AT THIS POINT YOU ARE DONE if you don't want to sew you add any letters or design...(the cape will roll on the sides a little when washed, but shouldn't fray...T's don't when cut)

HERE IS A FINISHED CAPE!

To add the letter... I wanted a "W", so I just drew on on iron-on transfer paper (this particular king is heat 'n bond, any kind will work) Note: when you draw on the paper, you want the image reversed and then leave a border around it when you cut.
Iron it onto the back of a piece/scrap of fabric... (also you can follow the directions on the particular iron-on stuff you have)

Once it is ironed to the fabric, then you cut around the image/letter and then take off the paper backing and iron onto the cape.

I actually mounted my "W" on a square piece of fabric (I used the iron-on transfer for it too)

I choose to sew around the edges to keep it more secure through washing.

I then started thinking about safety...and I thought about choking and little boy fighting over the cape and so I sew on some Velcro onto the front middle of the neck. I just cut if in half and then added Velcro to the two sides.

There are no iron options to this...there Velcro that is super sticky and will bond to fabric...It is a home decor type. I think I found the stuff I have at Joann's.

I did use my serger and used a rolled hem around the edges...if you don't have a serger, you can just zig-zag around the edges.

HERE ARE THE FINISHING PICTURES...He didn't want to stay still for long once he got it on...these were the best photos I could get;)

I hope you like this and you have fun with making capes.