T-shirt to Sexy Top

by diana.cristea

1.1M69281

Intro: T-shirt to Sexy Top


How to transform a boring old t-shirt into something that could make you the star of the party: turn it upside down & create some fancy pockets.

STEP 1: Things You Will Need


1. 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


Measure the circumference of your chest.

Cut a piece of elastic that matches your measurements.

Turn the shirt inside out and cut a small opening on the bottom hem.

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.

Attach the two ends of the elastic by sewing them.

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.

Use some pins to hold the fabric still.

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.

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.

Use the sewing machine to make a hem where you cut the excess fabric.

STEP 4: The Pockets


Turn the shirt inside out.

Sew the sleeves to close their opening to the rest of the t-shirt. Turn back the shirt right side out.

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.

Cut a piece of elastic that is shorter than the width of the sleeve.

Pass the elastic through the sleeve's hem using a safety pin. Sew the ends of the elastic to the fabric.

Repeat on the other sleeve.

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.

81 Comments

upcycledstylegirl 8 years ago

Can't WAIT to make one!!! I'm large busted and I get so tired of not being able to sport a tube top!!!

VickieR 9 years ago

This is so Awesome!!! I can't wait to try it!

KattieP 9 years ago

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pniler 12 years ago

Should I use my normal t-shirt size, or would anyone recommend moving up one size?

tstan13 12 years ago

I dont understand the part about folding the sleeves or really anything from there on. Sorry I am sure it is just me trying to make it harder than it is but can you help please?

ttjong ayong 12 years ago

i so love this .. i'm going to make this for when i go out :D

hahahippo=) 12 years ago

"a piece of elastic that matches your measurements." would be about one inch less then your original measurement, to keep it snug. If you want it tighter, adjust as needed. Also, (this is a no brainer, but I am saying it anyways) a good way to see the length of the elastic is to hold it up around yourself where it will be then put a mark there. But leave extra just in case!!! Hope this helps!

dhill9 12 years ago

If you like t-shirts you should like
http://www.culturallycool.com

fpa1 13 years ago

fantastic!!! i love it!!! i love t-shirts!!! and this is just amazing!!!!

platinum15 13 years ago

im probably gonna put a drawstring instead of elastic.

isavendetta 14 years ago

im already making it!! it's awesome how easy and cool is it!! thanks a lot for making it so easy! and stylish!

isavendetta 14 years ago

already done! thanks a lot for it : D

frenzy 13 years ago


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susanrm 13 years ago

isavendetta, it looks like you added straps, or maybe those are from a bra underneath? Can you elaborate?

isavendetta 13 years ago

oh! actually them are from the bra underneath :P i love to wear it like that because it makes the effect that the straps are from the t-shirt-dress : D even that i think it could be possible to put that kind of bra straps on the dress (yeah some kind of crazy idea but it could work) if you take two little straps of fabric and sew them by hand to the dress (not with the sewing machine because you should sew ones as the ones that bra's have XD) it could work if you want it with them but actually i think it is better for you to look for the strap effect that i made :)

njn 13 years ago

thanks for the great tip!

uniqueleigh 13 years ago

Wonderful idea. Another "add to" suggestion could be instead of running elastic through the bottom seam of the t-shirt you could run a matching ribbon or cord and use that as a drawstring. That way when you wear the shirt you could tie that up around your neck to help hold the shirt up. Just figure I would throw that in. Thanks for sharing. I will have to make one of these very very soon.
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