A nice review from Bjorn Nasett at Milwaukee Magazine last week–plus a bonus tutorial describing how he made a version of the Classic Punk tank top (otherwise known as project #14) from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt. Full article below. My favorite part: He saved $30 by doing it himself! How much have you saved lately by whipping out your trusty scissors, needle, and thread?
Teed Off:Recycling the ’80s.
As Milwaukee’s summer weather heats up, all of us at one point or another reach for a tank top to help us beat the heat and look cool, too. I’ve always liked the rock ‘n’ roll sleeveless look and usually wear them for summer events as well as everyday wear.
About a month ago, my dear gal pal Carol lent me her copy of Generation T: 108 ways to transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay. I was pleased that someone had done something so well-researched yet so simple. As I paged through the book, I found it jam-packed with illustrations, trivia about T-shirts and lots of ideas to help anyone access the recycled punk trend that has never really gone away.
I remember the famous image of John Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt with the sleeves simply cut off, thereby making it a tank top. It was from the late ’70s. At the same time, I was a rebellious teenager living on my own in Madison during the infancy of the punk movement. Those fashion looks that we created during the rabidly do-it-yourself punk-rock scene would eventually segue into new wave in the ’80s and grunge in the ’90s. Young fashionistas rallied against what was supposed to be fashionable and, in doing so, created trends that in one way or another are still with us. As I tripped down memory lane while perusing the pages of Ms. Nicolay’s T-tome, I decided to do what we all did in the old days and create my own fashionable, deconstructed T-shirt. So for those of you with a Crafty McCrafterson bent, I am going to take you through my simple step-by-step transformation of a T-shirt I bought at Goodwill. What’s more hip than that?
You will need a pair of sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and mat like I used to do the basic cutting. Pins, a large needle that can handle yarn and a sewing machine are the only other items necessary to make your own “punk” designer T-shirts.
First, I took my on-trend day-glow print “Mr. Popular” T-shirt that I purchased for $3.99, and I used the rotary cutter and plastic template to easily remove the sleeves, bottom hem and side seams close to where they were originally sewn. I cut my T-shirt first and then washed it so the fabric would take on more of a rolled edge where it had been cut.
I then re-sewed the side seam with a straight stitch on the outside of the T-shirt to give it a more fitted and deconstructed look. After that, I took a large needle and threaded some yellow yarn through it and just did a random stitch up the side seams, inserting the needle where I had just sewn the seam, and then sort of creating a piping where the excess fabric was by pulling the yarn a little tighter. Not only did it pick up the colors of the bright shirt, but it also added a little personal designer detail. It was fun, and I really liked the result!
A couple of years ago, I bought a similar shirt at a boutique in NYC’s Chelsea and paid around $35! (See picture of Buzzcocks T-shirt.) In the end, I saved $30 and made my own custom rock look.
I recently wore this shirt (are you surprised?) to a charity benefit (refashionforlife.com) with the white jeans I mentioned last week and some retro rubber bracelets and a fluorescent ring that I bought at Marc Jacobs in the West Village in February. Some graffiti-inspired Airwalks and my green sunglasses completed the flashback vibe. I must say, I felt good with what I was wearing and hip to the irony of it, too. The trick here is just simply enjoying and owning whatever you have on.
I must confess I now have the creative bug. I have discovered the craft aisle with the tie-dye kits at the Walmart on Capitol and, of course, snatched up the last lavender, blue and pink one. They use cold water and include everything you need for around $11, not a bad investment for a few hours of creative play. I have seen tie-dye treatments used to great effect in many runway shows and fashion spreads continuing the blast from the past.
I’ll let you know how my garments turn out in a future blog. After all, isn’t the idea of any kind of fashion statement to say something about your past, present or future? Personally, I’m having a groovy time.
Next week, Vivienne Tam show at Aloft hotel hosted by Falcon.
P.S. I found a revised edition of Megan Nicolay’s book as well as a new edition titled Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt that was published in 2009. It’s available new and used on amazon.com.
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