Another 90 Min Shirt

Some people are great at trying new things.  They like the thrill, I guess.  Or maybe they just like the variety.  I am not really one of those people.  Especially when it comes to things I have to make my own pattern for.  So do I complain about the fact that I can still use the 12 month size pattern I made (back when Olivia wasn't even 12 months yet) and have the shirts still fit her?  Absolutely not.

Cooperative toddlers make for excellent photo shoots, no?

Since the pattern was already made (though, I admit, I should have lengthened the shirt a little--oh well), this shirt came together super quickly.  I love the soft, stretchy knit it's made of.  I've made a handful of these 90 Min Shirts using Dana's wonderful tutorial and I've learned a few things along the way. 

Uhh... just ignore all of our great junk props in the background.

One of the things I've learned is that they seem to turn out best when I use higher quality knits.  Girls Camp and sports team t-shirts found at the thrift store don't have quite the same wear to them.  And they don't do as well getting over Olivia's fatty head.  (Sorry kid, it's true.)  So I've learned that it's a better use of my time and materials to just use the higher-quality knits.  And, of course, this has the double bonus of meaning that the shirts are generally made from cooler, trendier fabric too.

Of course, it seems ridiculous to cut up a perfectly nice, high-quality, soft and stretchy t-shirt just to make another t-shirt for a little kid.  But that depends on where you get your materials from. 

• Buying them brand new off the rack: Bad deal

• Buying them cheap from the thrift store: Okay deal

• Getting them free from your friends:  --Ding!  Ding!  Ding!--  Awesome deal 

Adorable bow from Wendy & Peter

Which is why I got so excited when my friend told me "I have a bunch of clothes I'm getting rid of.  I know you make stuff out of old clothes a lot, so if you want I'll let you look through them before I give them away to other people." 

This, my friends, is a great example of an awesome friend.  You had better believe I took her up on her offer in a heartbeat.  And then proceeded to hoard more than half of the stuff she brought over to make shirts (and panties) for Olivia. 

If you want to have awesome friends like that too, don't be shy about telling people you'd love to take old clothes off their hands when they get rid of them.  It's cool to be eco-friendly these days.  And even if your friends aren't super eco-friendly themselves, they'll probably feel good knowing that their clothes will continue to get some good use out of them.

Can't get enough of these pigtails.

Well, I'm out!  

Have a great day everyone!

Check out these posts to see more 90 Min Shirts I've made:

• 90 Min Shirt at the Fire Station
• 90 Min Shirts