Native American Shirt with T-Shirt Fringe

Making costumes can be fun! This Native American shirt that I made for my grandson Alex from an adult t-shirt was “sew-easy”!

Materials:

Adult white t-shirt (several sizes too big)

Dye (tan)

Pony beads (optional)

Seam Ripper (if you need to remove pocket)

Fabric Scissors

Seam gauge or ruler

Yard stick 

Directions:

Follow directions on the fabric dye to dye the t-shirt.

If the shirt has a pocket, use a seam ripper to carefully remove it.

Ms. Nancy's Notes: 

• I dyed the t-shirt in a small dishpan, and then rinsed it in the washing machine. It dyed unevenly, which was great for this project! 
• When using dye in a washing machine, always clean afterwards as the package recommends to avoid future stains on clothing.
• I would recommend removing the t-shirt pocket before the t-shirt is dyed. I removed it afterwards, and at first you could see the imprint of the pocket. Fortunately, after the fringe was added, it covered the imprint!

Cut off the hems from both sleeves and the bottom hem.

Remove a 5” strip from the bottom of the shirt, and set aside.



Cut the sleeves in strips from the edges to the shoulder seams 1” wide.

Make cuts on the bottom of the shirt, 4” long and 1” wide. 

Ms. Nancy's Tip:
If the shirt is too long, remove an additional strip before cutting fringes.

Gently pull on the end of each strip, creating fringes.

Cut the 5” strip (from the bottom of the shirt) into 2 equal pieces. Cut fringes 1” wide and 4” long.

Use a pencil and yardstick to draw a straight line across the upper edge of the t-shirt. Draw another line 2" below the first line.

Pin and stitch one row of fringe to the upper front of the shirt along the marked bottom line. 

Stitch the other piece of fringe along the top marked line.

Use paint pens to add designs. Search the internet for appropriate Native American symbols.

Ms. Nancy's Tip: 
Put cardboard or a plastic garbage bag inside the t-shirt before painting to prevent bleed-through.

Native American Shirt Back

Optional: Add colorful pony beads to some of the strips, and tie a knot in the end to keep the beads on the strip.

Front

How to Make a Native American Indian Shirt