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Petal Shirt: A Tutorial

August 16, 2010 By crafterhours 33 Comments

So, last time I made this shirt, I didn’t call it anything.  I’m officially naming it the “Petal Shirt”.  I know, creative, right?  I didn’t inherit my mom’s ability to come up with funny pun-y titles.
You’ll need a yard of nice soft knit, coordinating thread, some fusible interfacing, and 1/4 inch elastic.  Make sure you use a ballpoint needle.
Step 1: 
Cut out back and front shirt pieces.  The width should be a few inches wider than your person on either side to allow for the drapey bottom.  The length needs to allow for a casing at the neckline and hem.  The back is on the left and the front is on the right below:
Step 2: Sew the back and the front together at the side seams.  Press the arm curves down a half inch to the wrong side and stitch them down.
Step 3:  Press the neckline of the front and back down a 1/2 inch and sew it down, creating a casing.
Step 4: Hem the bottom using a 1/2 inch seam allowance but leave an opening to thread your elastic through.
And now you’ll have this:
At this point you pretty much have a blank slate for whatever kind of embellishment you want to do.  You could use colorful cording for the straps and applique coordinating fabric on the shirt:
Or you could go for a natural look with crocheted details:
But for this tutorial we’re going to stick to the petals, which brings us to…
Step 5: Make petals.  Fuse together two pieces of knit, wrong sides together.  A fat quarter would be more than plenty, an eighth of a yard would probably be enough.  From that fused knit sandwich, start cutting out petals.  I cut them out in this four-leaf clover type shape.  Cut as many as you like, I used 18 for this brown shirt and more for the pink one.  For more “movement” on the shirt, you could cut some petals out of non-fused knit and intersperse them among the fused ones.  They will tend to flutter and curl up more.
Step 6: Pin them to the shirt in a pleasing manner.
Step 7:  Sew them on.  As you can see, I just went from one petal to the next without cutting my thread.  Make sure you backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam though.  I also created a little crease in the middle of each petal before sewing them down so they wouldn’t be flat.
Step 8: Make your halter cord by taking a long 1 inch strip of fabric and serging or sewing the long ends right sides together.  This will give you a long 1/2 inch tube.  Turn the tube right-side-out, thread it through both the back and front casings, tie at the shoulder, and knot the ends.
Thread elastic through the hem casing to fit your hips.
You’re done!
This shirt was a gift for my Jennifer Aniston look-a-like friend.
I think this shirt would be a great gift in general as it is pretty much one size fits most.  The halter ties allow you to adjust the length, and by gathering the front and back casings you can make the shirt looser or tighter.  
Happy Petal Shirt making!

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Filed Under: shirt, tutorial Tagged With: applique, shirt, tutorial

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    August 16, 2010 at 9:01 am

    Thanks for the tute. I think I could actually make this and have some great knit to use if the bahimouth (sp?) nursing boobs ever deflate.

    Reply
  2. Lori says

    August 16, 2010 at 9:25 am

    Cute tutorial! I always have ideas for skirts and pants but not many shirts.

    Reply
  3. Bethany says

    August 16, 2010 at 9:28 am

    That looks simple enough…my problem is finding knits that I like. Those petals are def. easier than they look–when you first showed this I thought ‘HOW did she do that?’
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. casserole says

    August 16, 2010 at 9:42 am

    That is SO pretty!!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sleeveless-knit-top-with-appliqued-petal/2010/08/16/

    –Anne

    Reply
  5. Cynthia L. says

    August 16, 2010 at 10:03 am

    My 19 year old fashionista would love this! Thanks for the tutorial. I am off to purchase fabric!!

    Reply
  6. Sourkraut says

    August 16, 2010 at 10:24 am

    So cute! I’m adding this one to my “to do” list.

    Reply
  7. Ashley says

    August 16, 2010 at 11:07 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  8. Ashley says

    August 16, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I now will have something to wear for my first day back to school! Thanks!

    Reply
  9. ificould says

    August 16, 2010 at 11:28 am

    So cute!! Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  10. Schildi says

    August 16, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Great! Thanks for this tutorial!

    Reply
  11. Zemphira ~ Scatter Art. says

    August 16, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    This looks great! Thank you for the tutorial. Might give this one a go.

    Reply
  12. Kelly's Korner says

    August 16, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    I love it! The shirt is so darling. And she really does look like Jennifer Anniston doesn’t she?!

    Reply
  13. April says

    August 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    So cute! I wish I could sew.

    Reply
  14. Anna says

    August 16, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    great tutorial, it’s just beauitful. :)

    Reply
  15. whitecraft says

    August 16, 2010 at 11:16 pm

    Jennifer Aniston…so funny. Can’t believe you can create so many things. You’re making me feel lazy! Another great project. Thanks adrianna.

    Reply
  16. Julie says

    August 17, 2010 at 9:29 pm

    I love this!! It is adorable and looks to be fairly easy. Think I’ll have to try this one out!

    Reply
  17. j.g.photography says

    August 18, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    WOW… She REALLY does look like jennifer aniston!! Love the shirt, and thanks for the tute!

    Reply
  18. Charlotte Nash says

    August 21, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    This top is sew beautiful, pardon the pun but it really is pretty! xx

    Reply
  19. huntressofnostalgia says

    February 5, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Cute! I bet it would make a great toddler dress too! Might even be able to make it out of an over-sized t-shirt and save some hemming!

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2011 at 11:53 am

    its darling…love the comment on making it for a child dress..you clever ladies.

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    July 21, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    I was so thankful you shared this with us… I made this petal shirt and I love it. Thank you again. Mary

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    August 11, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    I think this would be super cute as like a knee-length dress with a belt. I just might have to try it!

    Reply
  23. colleen says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    I love your petal shirt; so cute! I was inspired to try something very similar and love the way it came out. I have some pictures (and a link to your tutorial) on my blog.
    http://ailidhdaisy.blogspot.com/2011/08/petal-maternity-shirt.html

    Reply
  24. Debby says

    November 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Saw this tutorial today on Pinterest and really like it. My question is how the edges of the petals hold up after washing. Do they fray or ball up? Does it require pressing after washing? I love how the petals seem to be floating to the ground.

    Reply
  25. scrappychica says

    May 9, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I LOVE this tutorial! I think I can use some old knit shirts and upcycle with your fabulous step by step! thank you very much. I too am curious how the petals hold up after washing, I would hate to try and fluff each individually with an iron.

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    June 14, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I tried this tonight! Love it! I made mine from a 2XL women’s 3/4 sleeve shirt. I used the sleeves for petals. I’m really proud at how pretty it is on me! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  27. Emily says

    July 8, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I love this! Thanks for the tutorial! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    August 2, 2012 at 9:33 am

    I made this shirt in orange over the last couple of evenings…. It turned out great! I love it! Thanks for the tutorial

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    April 13, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    Very nice! I’m horrid at sewing …. I wish I knew what the finished back looks like. Cheers!

    Reply
  30. turpial4 says

    June 2, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    Que hermosa camiseta… :)

    Reply
  31. Sheryl A Keene says

    August 25, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    Love the top. I’m making it into a maxi dress! Thanks for the idea.

    Reply

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