The Rick Rack Shirt

It was time to sew this shirt, and I knew I wanted if for myself. Specifically for view D. This was my first sew for my blog that used rick rack. I knew I wanted to use a solid color so the rick rack wouldn’t be overshadowed by a print.

I had enough of this turquoise fabric to make the shirt. It was leftover from my very first blog post (See “The Reversible Dress”)

You can see by the above picture the rick rack that I chose to go with the turquoise shirt. But let me tell you, the decision wasn’t an easy one.

I had plenty of rick rack to choose from, that was one thing that Grandma had a lot of! She used it to decorate her square dancing dresses, and like most people who sew, just to dress up an item of clothing.

I love rick rack! To me it symbolized home sewing. I’m not saying store bought clothes can’t, or don’t have rick rack, but it is an accessory widely used by the home seamstress to dress up plain fabric.

Rick rack was invented around 1860, but did not get the name of “rick rack” until around 1880. It went out of fashion but started making a come back in the 1920’s, and stayed a sewing staple until around the 1970’s.

There are tons of other things you can do with rick rack. A quick internet search can show you all of it’s various, crafty uses. Of course for me though, I wanted to wear it!

Here is my drawer of rick rack and bias tape. I don’t think I’ll ever need to buy any, ever.

The pattern called for mini rick rack, so I picked out my options and asked my think tank. I couldn’t decide. Then Elizabeth said, “I like the yellow, the colors remind me of Malibu Barbie”. Well that was all she had to say! I definitely could see the Malibu Barbie reference, and I do love Barbie!

Here she is for reference.

And just for fun, here is the Malibu Barbie from my childhood. She actually belongs to my sister Michelle, but currently lives in my sewing room with some other childhood Barbies. Yes, I know she isn’t in her bathing suit, this one actually came in a bikini, but I think the bikini is long gone. She is instead dressed in this very era dress, which dates Michelle and I, HA! She might have had a little hair cut once upon a time, she’s looking a little bald in the front, but she still has her original tan lines, like any respectable girl from Malibu!

So you can see that Malibu Barbie holds a special place in my heart! Of course I would want a shirt that pays tribute to this style icon!

I got to work laying out the pattern and getting it cut out.

Pinning on the front facing. I took this picture to show how I once again used scraps of my fusible interfacing. I really don’t like things going to waste.

This pattern called for six buttons, three on each shoulder. The buttons are fastened by fabric loops. I sewed the long loop, right sides together.

Then I had to turn this little tube of fabric right side out! I left the thread long on one end, and threaded a yarn needle. They aren’t as sharp, and I ran the needle through the tube, and the thread pulled it right side out.

The tube then got cut into six, 2 1/2 inch pieces. (*I’m using an old school ruler that I found in Grandma’s sewing stuff, it comes in handy a lot!)

Pinning the button loops into place.

Sewing up the side zipper, because yes, it had one of those too!

Ironing and pinning the sleeve hem into place.

I tried to date this particular package of rick rack, but had a hard time. My guess is probably the late 1950’s or 60’s. There aren’t tons of people out there wanting to research rick rack.

But however old it was, it was ready to be used!

Very carefully sewing on the rick rack.

I chose yellow buttons for the shoulders to match the rick rack.

And here it is! My first shirt with rick rack!

The sun was rising, and shining on my new shirt!

I’ll be wearing this one quite a bit, it goes easily with jeans!

This was a fun one to make, and it had me nostalgic the entire time! I was glad to use up fabric that I had leftover, and glad to put some of Grandma’s rick rack to use. Yes, I know it looks a little like I hoard sewing supplies. In my defense, I use them, and will continue to use up what I have.

I’m hoping to have more rick rack items in my closet in the future. Guess we’ll see where my sewing takes me!

As for me, onto the next!