Every year I make Kennedy a 4th of July outfit. Its usually a patriotic dress in red, white and blue. This year I decided to go a little more casual. In less than an hour I was able to put together this adorable American flag tee. Quick, easy and inexpensive!
When Kennedy left our house today, she was proudly wearing her new tee with a pair of leggings. The American flag tee would also be adorable with jeans, shorts or even a cute little skirt.
You might already have some of these supplies:
- White tee without a pocket (I paid $3.50 for this tee at Walmart)
- Red jumbo rick rack
- Blue polka dot ribbon
- Red thread
- Blue thread
- Fabric glue (if you choose not to sew)
Measure and cut even lengths of the rick rack. Pin evenly to front center of the tee. I chose to sew but your can iron the rick rack in place using Stitch Witchery. Just follow the directions on the package.
Rick rack only needs one straight seam down the center. Tuck ends under and stitch in place.
Tie or stitch a bow together using the blue polka dot ribbon. Sew (or glue) the bow in the upper left hand corner of the rick rack. Always wash the tee inside out to protect the flag trim. Have fun and please leave me a link to your tee when you make it. I’d love to see it!
Happy 4th of July!!
Pamela Halligan says
I love this shirt, and it seems simple enough to make. Thanks for sharing. I plan on making it for my niece.
Lisa R says
wow, this shirt came out nice. With all the after 4 of July discounts which I’ve seen in stores that sell patriotic ribbons, I could get the supplies cheap
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Jean says
This is so cute – much nicer than the screen-printed ones you see at chain stores. I will make these for my girls next year!
Maria Malaveci says
How adorable! And, looks super easy too, thanks so much for this! Will definitely be making it!
Rebecca Parsons says
This is cute. I have seen one similar for Christmas. The tree was made with the rick rack and the star was sewed on felt.
Cathi says
Oh Rebecca … I love the Christmas tree idea!!
Thanks so much!
concordian925 says
pinning this for next yr!
Shelly Plemons says
Absolutely adorable!!! I was wondering how long you cut your pieces of rick rack and what size, style, and ribbon width was your bow?
THANKS!
Shelly P.
Shelly Plemons says
Sorry was also wondering if could use Heat & Bond Ultra Hold instead of sewing the rick rack?
Shelly P.
Cathi says
I think you could Shelly. I’ve always sewed everything. For the first time ever I recently used Heat & Bond to make my grand daughter a Mickey Mouse tee shirt. https://simplesojourns.com/2014/03/disneyside-home-celebration.html
I used Heat & Bond for the Mickey Mouse head but my “sewing” mind is telling me to zig-zag the edges.
I’ll be posting the tutorial along with the template next week. Have you used Heat & Bond before? I know Debra from “A Frugal Friend” has and it worked great. http://www.afrugalfriend.net/2011/11/easy-no-sew-applique-turkey-thanksgiving-shirt-soooo-cute-and-inexpensive/
Hugs!!
Cathi
Shelly Plemons says
I use the ULTRA-HOLD Heat & Bond when I want to attach several ribbons together to make big cheer bows. I am not good at sewing even using a sewing machine I have trouble sewing a straight line, LOL. What settings did you use on your sewing machine when sewing the rick rack? I might try using the heat & bond and then maybe TRY to sew a stitch across it just to be sure. My 5 year old niece’s teacher taught her class how to do THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in sign language. She was hand picked by her teacher to be invited to lead the pledge by herself at a local meeting. To make it special for her I am trying to make her this shirt to wear with a red, white, & blue tutu skirt and piggy tail matching hair bows that I have already made for her.
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial!!!
Shelly P.
Cathi says
Hi Shelly! I used a simple straight stitch to attach the rick rack but I think you could Heat & Bond it first. I bought the tee at Walmart for like $3.50. I think you’ll find this project easy peasy if you work crafts with ribbons and bows. I loved to see the final total outfit your niece wears!!
Hugs,
Cathi
Shelly Plemons says
The heat and bond ended up not holding up so good on the rick rack. I had to fix several spots that didn’t adhere good with my hot glue gun. Used the press and bond on the other pieces and it worked great! I have posted some pictures of her showing off the outfit on my facebook page. If you r on facebook you could probably search Shelly Sewell Plemons from Tennessee and find me. If you want to, you can add 1 of her in the outfit to my message… I couldn’t figure out how to add one myself lol.
Thank you again for sharing your tutorial!!!!!
Shelly P.