I won’t even pretend to be the most creative person, especially when it comes to using a needle and thread! However, I found a really cool DIY project from instructables.com to transform old t-shirts into a cute top. It’s a detailed step-by-step guide so us creativity challenged actually have a chance of success. And if not, well, it was an old, ratty tee anyway- so no harm done!
Step 1: What you need
Any old t-shirt, large enough to fit you. It is preferable to use a t-shirt that doesn’t have big prints or things written on it, as you will turn it upside down.
2. Scissors
3. A sewing machine (or sew it by hand)
4. Safety pins
5. Elastic (about 1,5m)
Step 2:
The Lower Part
1. Measure the circumference of your chest.
2. Cut a piece of elastic that matches your measurements.
3. Turn the shirt inside out and cut a small opening on the bottom hem.
4. Use a safety pin to attach one end of the elastic and insert the pin through the small opening. Pass the safety pin (and the elastic) inside the hem until you reach the other end.
5. Attach the two ends of the elastic by sewing them.
6. Turn the shirt right side out. Now it should look like the picture.
Step 3: The Upper Part
We’ll now look at the upper part of the shirt.
1. Use some pins to hold the fabric still.
2. Cut all excess fabric so in the end you’ll have a straight line at the top. Make sure you cut any visible part of the collar.
3. Use some pins to attach the sleeves at the front of the t-shirt in this particular position (arms crossed). You will sew them on the shirt later.
4. Use the sewing machine to make a hem where you cut the excess fabric.
Step 4: The Pockets
1. Turn the shirt inside out.
2. Sew the sleeves to close their opening to the rest of the t-shirt. Turn back the shirt right side out.
3. Cut two small slits on the hem of one sleeve, at the inside: each slit should be at one end of the sleeve when it’s folded.
4. Cut a piece of elastic that is shorter than the width of the sleeve.
5. Pass the elastic through the sleeve’s hem using a safety pin. Sew the ends of the elastic to the fabric.
6. Repeat on the other sleeve.
7. Now you are ready to attach the sleeves to the t-shirt.
Step 5: Wear It!
Basically, you’ll wear your old t-shirt upside down. Depending on the size of your shirt, your result could be worn as a top or a dress.The outside pockets make a nice addition, but you can also attach them to the inside of the shirt, for a simpler outfit.
