Step 1

Used T-shirts are “scavenged” from thrift stores like Goodwill.  Friends, family and customers also donate shirts.  Some customers even supply their own collections of shirts to use in the design.  Customers can order garments in a specific color or even a specific logo theme.  Themes include things like music, sports, travel, humor, religion, vices and more.   All attempts are made to find as many shirts in the desired logo/theme in the requested color, but sometimes it is impossible so humorous shirts are used to fill in empty space.  Each garment is a one-of-a-kind because different shirts are used to make each garment.

Step 2

When larger areas of fabric are needed, shirts are turned into squares that can be quilted together by cutting off sleeves, neck openings and hems.

Step 3

When  smaller pieces with logos are needed, pattern pieces are laid on the shirt accordingly to include parts of the desired logo, traced and then cut straight from the shirt.  If the garment is lined, both layers of the shirt (front and back) are cut at the same time.

Step 4

Pattern pieces are ready to be sewn together.

Step 5

Cut pieces are sewn together…..

Step 6

...to form garment parts

Step 7

After all pieces are attached, zippers, hems, labels and other garment details are completed and the garment is finished.

Step 8

The garment is delivered to the customer.

Pictured here:

Actress/activist Tanna Frederick wearing custom made T-shirt party dress out of surf themed shirts for Save Our Surf event.  Pictured with John Slattery and Tate Donovan of Mad Men