Attempting the T-Shirt Necklace

Last week, every day snuck up on me, catching me off guard, and leaving me behind schedule. It may have been my very heavy heart thinking about the devastation in Japan. It could have been the time change that left me groggy every day, all day. But I'm fairly certain I felt perpetually past-deadline because a "simple" craft failed me repeatedly at the start of the week and threw the blog into scramble-mode. That craft was the T-Shirt Necklace. 

Fail #1

I was looking online for fun crafts to do with my nieces after school, and came across the "T-shirt Necklace" on MarthaStewart.com. It looked easy enough. Heck, it looked like something we could crank out during a commercial break of Yo Gabba Gabba... Thankfully, I had the forethought to try this craft out BEFORE inviting the little ones over to participate, because my first two attempts at this easy craft, looked more like a squid, and something your cat might have coughed up. Seriously. 

Fail #2

The problem with the first two attempts may have been the material used (100% cotton t-shirts that were SLIGHTLY stretchy,) but more likely it was because I used regular scissors to cut the strips of fabric, (ok, I also washed and dried the pink necklace to see if that would put some curl in my edges) and completely disregarded the rolling blade (or rotary cutter) recommendations. I was determined to make it work with regular scissors. Determined didn't cut it, (literally & figuratively) so I borrowed a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat, and got cracking on the T-Shirt necklace again.

Third cotton tee, metal ruler, rotary cutter and the mat in hand, I was ready to make this craft happen, or scratch it completely and give my first two "cat-toy necklaces" to the animal hospital down the street.

I started by cutting the bottom cuff off the shirt. Then, like Martha recommends, began cutting horizontal strips that measured 3/4 inch wide.

Next, I stretched the strips out with my hands. (This was the fateful moment that tripped me up twice before.) After giving the pieces a good long stretch, they should curl slightly at the ends. This time, they curled!! They didn't disintegrate, they didn't kink. They did exactly what the countless websites and YouTube channels said they would.... this time.

After cutting about 20 strips, I laid the pieces out in a uniform pile. I then cut off the sleeves from my shirt, discarded the cuffs, and then sliced a couple of 3/4 inch strips from the sleeves to use as my knots.

I looped the sleeve strips around the mass of longer strips. In two different places, I tied them into knots, tucking any loose pieces into the knot. 

Finally, I had a successful T-Shirt Necklace. It looks cute when worn as one long necklace for a light, summery piece, or doubled up (to keep you warm!) in springtime!

I'll be trying this necklace ONE more time before inviting my sweet nieces to participate. I was extremely frustrated with my first attempts, and would prefer that when a six and eight-year old are added to the mix, they don't have to see me curse the holy name of Martha. (You know I love you Martha...)

If you decide to make your own T-Shirt necklace, I'd suggest you pick up a rotary cutter, self-healing mat, and a metal ruler, longer than the width of your shirt. When it works, it really is a fun way to give new life to old shirts, when it doesn't, your friends will have a good laugh when you stubbornly (foolishly) wear your craft-fail out in public anyway. Happy crafting!!