(mini-tut x2) Gossip Girl Inspired Lace Tee

So I'm gonna let you in on a dirty little secret. I love Gossip Girl. It is totally trashy television, but the characters, acting and wardrobes are so great!

Recently, on this cool blog that I just came across, called Uber Chic for Cheap, she posted an answer to a reader's question on where to find an item worn by the character Serena, played by Blake Lively, on Gossip Girl.  You can read the post here.

Here is what her reader was looking for:

The funny thing, is I had already been thinking about embellishing some tees with lace for my seriously challenged spring everyday-wardrobe.  I had lots of ideas, but straight down the middle wasn't one of them until I saw how cute this was.  So I grabbed a couple of plain tees from my stash and went to work. 

I made one like the inspiration, and for the second, decided to switch it up a little bit.

The lace I used was vintage, and not stretchable, so if you want to know how I made these tees, I have two little mini-tuts for you. 

For those of you who are looking for a super quick project, this is for you!

Linked up to these awesome blogs!

Supplies Needed:
-Plain T-Shirt
-Lace (non-stretch or stretchy, both work)
-Steam A Seam
-Iron, Scissors, Sewing Machine

The Red Tee

Step1: Turn your shirt inside out.  Fold in half exactly, with the front on the outside. Pin edges so they don't shift.

Step 2: Smooth all wrinkles toward the fold, to get it as smooth as possible. Do this on both the top side and the bottom.

Step 3: With your iron on a hot setting with steam, press a sharp crease on your fold.  Then open your shirt, turn it right side out, and lay it out.

Step 4: Get out your Steam-A-Seam and cut a piece as long as your center front.

Step 5: Peel off the paper backing from the Steam-A-Seam, and lay evenly on the crease.  Lay your lace down evenly on top of that. 

Step 6: Fold over the top of the lace.

Step 7: Fold the bottom of the lace under your shirt.

Step 8: Using a press-cloth (I used a pillowcase), steam-iron your lace until set.












Step 9: Sew a straight seam on each side of the lace.

All done. Super fast and easy!

The White Tee 

*This tut is for non-stretchy lace.  If you use stretchy lace, you can use the other tutorial, just pin your lace into any design of your choice*

Step 1: I used a dress form, but you can put the shirt on yourself or a model that is your size.  Start playing with your lace, and come up with a pattern you like.

This is my design.  Pin into place.

Step 2: Put your shirt on your ironing board. You can see where the lace is longer than the tee, and is lifted up.  You don't want to design this flat, because the shirt wouldn't be able to stretch over your curvy parts.

Step 3: Put your Steam-A-Seam under the lace.

Step 4: Stretch your tee and steam-iron your lace in place. {Remember to use a press-cloth!}

Step 5: Fold under your edges and clip any visible ends.

Step 6: Sew along both edges, all the way down your design. Use your other hand to hold the shirt taut while sewing. {Remember to sew across the top and bottom ends too!}