Combining crochet patterns with fabric

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Crochet edging in old fabric shirt:

I’ve noticed that collar and cuffs in my MEXX shirt lost their original black color and became somewhat grayish. Front, back and sleeves were made of another fabric (machine knitted) and remained black. So, I’ve decided to replace collar, plackets and cuffs with crocheted ones.

First of all, carefully cut them off:

Then I’ve cut a V-neck because it would be simpler to crochet a border all around. I’m not that good in sewing, therefore asked a professional tailor to finish all raw edges with a thread serger.

Now choose a nice edge pattern. These shells from an old crochet magazine should look lovely in my shirt:

I don’t love the look of one-colored stitches, but won’t redraw them on my computer since these are not my charts :).

I had one ball of thin black rayon left from another project. Rayon is good for decorations because it is colorfast.

As far as I know rayon is no longer made in the USA – in 2004, the last of the U.S. rayon production facilities were closed due to EPA regulations. Current rayon producing countries include China, India, and some European countries. You can use polyester which is also colorfast.

Then I have worked chains until their length has reached the length of my plackets and bottom (all around), worked one row of single crochet stitches and sewed this foundation row to my shirt. For plackets I crocheted 4 rows of this chart over the row of single crochet stitches (additional stitches should be added at the corners so that they remain flat). After finishing I’ve sewn on 4 buttons and made buttonholes on the opposite side.

For cuffs I had to improvise a little so my cuffs become 12 cm = 4.7” long. I’ve made the same foundation row, worked 4 rows of the chart and then repeated 3rd and 4th rows in the checkerboard order until the desired length.

This is my new shirt:

It’s is a simple but gorgeous project for using up some yarn leftovers and brighten up your wardrobe. You don’t have to be a fashion designer to combine the two crafts but surely you will create a unique OOAK clothing in a snap.

Happy crocheting!