Introduction: Buit-in T-Shirt Belt

In this "Instructable," I will show you how to make an awesome little "hack" for your t-shirt. It is a "belt" that runs along the bottom of your shirt. You can also use this method on sleeves. Aside from looking totally awesome, I have discovered that it also serves as a good conversation piece.

P.S. Thanks randofo for the feature!

Step 1: Gather Materials

For this project, you will need:

-10-20 minutes (depending on how good of a job you want to do)
-Shirt you want to hack

-Flat shoelaces (You could use round, but it I think it would look dumb, but I encourage you to try it if you want to.

-Ruler

-Scissors. My scissors are made by "Fiskars," which sounds like a cat food name to me.

Step 2: Match Your Colors

Here is where your personal preference comes into play. I am using brown shoelaces, and a gray shirt. I really like earthy tones, but if you want brighter colors or darker, or more or less contrast, then you have to decide.

Just round up the flat laces you have around the house, and the shirt you want to mod, and just hold them up to each other, and see what you like. You could take the shirt to a shoe store, compare them, then buy the one you like, too.

You have a lot of room to be creative, I know that they make all kinds of patterns on flat laces, including, Checkers, Spongebob, Stripes, Zigzags, and tons of colors.

Step 3: Measure and Cut

One of the reasons I like this project is that there are so many options to customize this project the way YOU like.

Here, you choose the spacing you want. I chose increments of two inches. You may choose whatever spacing pleases your eye. You could even do random, or not even equally spaced.

Use the ruler to find where you need to cut. Start from the side. I did 2, so I would measure 2, cut, 2, cut etc. etc.

Remember to make vertical slits, because you will be stringing flat laces through them, and you want the laces to be flat against you. Fold it a tiny bit, and cut the fold, on your increment mark. Remember the slit will be doubled if you fold and cut.

Do this until you get the whole way around the shirt.

Step 4: Lace and Tie

-Lace your shoe strings through the holes, in an in-out-in-out fashion.
-Meet the laces on your left or right side, on the INSIDE off your shirt, to hide the knot. Unless of course you like the look of the knot.
-Pull the strings to equall length, and tie a simple square knot.


Once again, you have room for options. You can cut the extra slack of shoelace off, or let them dangle, like I did. You can cut the plastic things off, or leave them. You can do this method with the sleeves and collor, or not. I encourage creativity in this project.

T-Shirt Hacks

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T-Shirt Hacks