No-Sew Doily-Adorned Tank Top

Again looking for easy projects that don't require much energy until I can kick this darn cold! It took me almost three months but I finally assembled the necessary ingredients to make these cute doily tank tops I spotted at Subtle Tee back in July.

Picked up a package of two ribbed tank tops at Wal-Mart from the juniors section for only $7. Bonus points for their having colors that are actually desirable instead of the usual black and white (boring!) or neon colors stores seem to think work with the average person's skin tone. Found a bright white doily in their craft section for just over $1 and another more delicate beige one at Jo-Ann Fabrics for $0.60 with my coupon. Stopped back in a second time to use another coupon for a roll of Stitch Witchery bonding web and I was all set. Honestly, the most difficult part of this project was finding the right tank tops and doilies. Everything else was a piece of cake!


Simply press the doily in half, line up along the front of your tank top, and fuse in place with small strips of Stitch Witchery following the instructions on the package. I found I did have to iron the white doily longer than suggested because it was so thick, but after doubling the time and doing a few extra passes it stuck in place nicely. Added a small pink pearl button from my stash for a little extra flair on the purple-ish tank but decided to leave the other one plain because there was already enough going on with the stripes. Maybe now that I've got one success under my belt I'll be brave enough to attempt some of the more involved shirt refashions I've seen out there. This was a great beginner project and I'm pleased with my two new tank tops. Not that I needed any more.

Trying To Class Up the Joint

What I needed was a super duper easy project for me to complete quickly because I've itching to get something done. I haven't touched my sewing machine since the July 4th weekend so I've been missing that feeling of accomplishment. Time to whip out my staple gun, which hasn't seen the light of day since I single-handedly insulated our attic, a time in my life I'd prefer to forget. That plus some fabric would be all I'd need to complete my next project. No sewing machine required for this one!


We got this iron outdoor table and chair set off of Craigslist after we bought a house and needed to start living like adults. We intended to use it as an indoor dining table since we're all about being unconventional and saving a few bucks. Plus we rarely eat at the table so we didn't need anything fancy for our needs. It was a little scuffed up from the start and its condition has only worsened while in our care but scratches and small spots of chipped paint don't bother me too much. It's the drab, mismatched, and discolored fabric covering the chair cushions that's bugged me the most.

I've idly kept an eye out online for dirt cheap clearance fabric to replace it but by the time fabric gets to that discount level only the truly hideous stuff is left. Although I don't think we'll hang on to this table forever I don't want it to be an eyesore while I still have to look at it. I gave in and bought some home decor weight fabric from Jo-Ann using a 50% off coupon. Yes, yes, I know I tentatively agreed to participate in The Great De-Stash Challenge over at The Train To Crazy but since I don't impulse buy home decor fabric I didn't already own anything suitable. At $5/yard it was still more than I'd wanted to pay but I'm so in love with the fabric that I'll take any excuse to buy more. I've used it before to make myself a spiffy bag for hauling my big camera, guide books, and maps around London last year and I was so pleased with the end result.


I don't imagine a tutorial is even required for this one. It was simply a matter of removing the old fabric, cutting the new fabric to the same dimensions, and stapling it in place. I started with a staple in the middle of each side, pulling as tightly as possible as I went along, and tucked the fabric at the corners in like I was wrapping a present. Et voilà! It's like a whole new dining set and all of it done in about 30 minutes! The fabric goes perfectly with the black iron and the swirling pattern of the table and chairs.


It's almost enough to make me want to repaint the table and chair frames as well. Almost...



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