Materials
T-shirt
Scissors
Paper guides
- - Small - 1¾ inches by ½ inch
- - Large - 2½ inches by 1 inch
Pony beads
Toothpicks
Needle and thread
Braiding the Sleeve
1. Turn the T-shirt inside out. Fold the hem of the sleeve up the length of the small paper guide (1¾ inches) and pin in place.
2. Cut slits around the sleeve the width of the small paper guide (½ inch). Make the first cuts on either side of the sleeve seam. Keep the cuts even and DO NOT cut the hem stitching.
3. Starting at the third loop from the sleeve seam use a toothpick to slide the loop through a bead. Continue adding beads every third loop. If a bead is added every loop the sleeve will become very small. Stop adding beads the same distance from the seam as the start. Do not add beads in the under arm area, they will be irritating.
4. Starting with the loop next to the side seam, pull one loop through the next, as if making a crochet chain stitch. This can be done with your fingers or a crochet hook.
5. After pulling the last loop through, cut it in half. There is a space on either side of the first loop. Tuck the ends of the cut loop through these spaces. Pull the ends to the inside of the shirt and sew them together.
6. Slide the beads toward the fold of the loop. Turn the shirt right side out and have fun.
Braiding the Hem
1. Turn the shirt inside out. Fold the hem of the bottom up the distance of the large paper guide (2½ inches) and pin in place.
2. Cut slits around the bottom the width of the large paper guide (1 inch). Make the first cuts on either side of the seam, if there is one. Keep the cuts even and DO NOT cut the hem stitching.
3. Starting one loop away from the side seam, pull one loop through the next, like making a crochet chain stitch.
Note - To add beads to the hem every third or fourth loop will have to be cut ½ inch wide because wider loops will not fit through the bead. Beads will cause the hem to become much smaller.
4. After pulling the last loop through, cut it in half. There is a space on either side of the first loop. Tuck the ends of the cut loop through these spaces. Pull the ends to the inside of the shirt and sew them together.
5. Slide the beads toward the fold of the loop if any were used. Turn the shirt right side out and have fun.
Presented by 61st National Square Dance Convention, Spokane, Washington 2012