DIY: Shredded Tee

I love the lived-in look of worn, baggy, boyfriend tees. They're super comfy and layerable, with a distinctively downtown via LA vibe. I love even more the pre-destroyed tees that many designers are doing. You can't beat the way they hang on the body. However, it's hard to justify paying a lot for what is, at the end of the day, just a t-shirt.

True, it takes awhile to wear a t-shirt in to that perfect silky softness. And it's usually by accident when you get just the right amount of stretched-outedness in the neck. And it's hard to find a good white tee at the thrift store without pit stains. But great t-shirts at dept. stores cost $75 on average for a plain one and in the hundreds for the cool ripped and destroyed ones in boutiques.

What's a girl to do? One way is to make your own. This do-it-yourself shredded tee by Camille of the blog Childhood Flames can be designed to your liking--a few strategically placed shreds or a completely shredsville top to layer over something else. This is a perfect project for when you're watching TV. And best of all, your creation is a one-of-a-kind piece!

What You’ll Need:
-a t-shirt/tank top/etc. (Camille used a regular Hanes tee, the ones that come in a pack)
-scissors
-a seam ripper (optional, you could use a mechanical pencil or your fingers instead)
-lots of time



Cut the hem off your shirt and stretch the raw edge a bit to loosen the threads.




Using your seamripper (pencil or fingers), begin to pull at the threads running horizontal to the hem of the garment. (Note: Don't tear the threads, just pull them loose. You will see them unravel as you pull.) The first couple threads may break, but keep going until you have several threads loose. This is where you determine how wide your shredded section is going to be, so pull a long section of thread out if you want a wider panel of shredded fabric. Remember, you can always make more panels later on.


Once you have several threads pulled out you can ditch the seam ripper and just use your fingers to pull on the thread and more should rip out. Don’t worry if some threads break along the way, just keep pulling.


Continue ripping until you reach the top of the garment or the height you desire. If you notice that your shredded panel of fabric tapers in as you go higher, backtrack and find where you didn’t pull the thread all the way across and pick and pull at the spot until it comes undone and continue to the top.

Repeat and make multiple panels of shredded fabric until satisfied.



All photos and instructions from Childhood Flames. Camille also has video instructions on her blog.