How to make a Taylor Swift-inspired tinsel jacket

It's TayTay Day... and we've got the perfect outfit for you to celebrate her new album in!

Sparkle and celebrate Taylor Swift's new album release with this no-sew activity.

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RELATED: How to make tinsel lantern ball filled with lollies

When I see tinsel and sequins one lady springs to mind. That would be our very own shim-shim-shimmering Queen of Pop, Kylie Minogue.

Whether it’s a New Year’s countdown, A Christmas shindig, a birthday palooza or a Swifty concert that you’re dressing up for you’ll certainly be the most dazzling ornament in a shimmering tinsel jacket. 

Making a shimmering tinsel jacket follows a similar construction process to that of a piñata.  Grab an old shirt and harvest your Christmas tinsel fringe, and I’ll show you the easiest way to make a tinsel jacket.

Fun fact

Tinsel has been used in clothing as early as the 16th century. Tinsel being a cheaper fabric alternative to woven gold, made a popularised luxury amongst the nobility.

Image: supplied

What you need

• Button up, long sleeve shirt
• Tinsel fringe (multiple colours)
• Double-sided tape
• Painter’s tape
• Sticky tape
• Ruler 
• Craft scissors 
• Pinking shears

Note: Adult participation is advised when using sharp tools (E.g., pinking shears).

This garment is not machine-washable. For the love of sanitation, if the jacket starts to smell after a few outings simply spray the inside of the tinsel garment with vinegar water.

Activity

Cut and turn out

Using pinking shears: Cut 20 cm off each sleeve; Cut 24 cm off from the bottom of the shirt; Cut off 2.5 cm width of centre front button panels; Cut off collar 1 cm above the neckline. 

Turn the shirt inside out. Any pockets on the garment will now be inside pockets (very useful).

Press horizontal rows of painter’s tape onto the shirt (front, back and sleeves), 8 cm apart. 

Tinsel glow up

Cut a colourful assortment of tinsel fringes into 10 cm wide sections. Apply double-sided tape to the upper rim of each tinsel fringe section. 

Beginning at the bottom of the shirt, stick the tinsel sections to the shirt (front, back and sleeve) in a horizontal row above the painter’s tape. Create any tassel colour combination you wish. Repeat this process moving up the shirt one layer at a time. 

Glue tinsel sections upside down, along the top of the shoulder and sleeve. The tinsel is then flipped over.

Optionally, you may remove the painter’s tape.

Free to shimmy

Now you’re free to wear the garment and practice your shimmy.

Originally published as How to make a Taylor Swift-inspired tinsel jacket