This is Your Sign to Upcycle Your Old T-shirts

We’ve all got a few baggy t-shirts lying around, I know. They’re comfortable, but not exactly stylish.

I’ve got a great way to upcycle t-shirts into a sexy fitted top that will turn heads.

It’s an easy project that anyone can make, no matter how much or little sewing experience you have.

Tools and materials: 

• Baggy t-shirt
• String or ribbon
• Beads
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter (optional)
• Hand sewing needle and thread
• Sewing machine

1. Fitted sides

You can start with a long or short-sleeved t-shirt.

Turn it wrong side out and place it on a flat surface, such as a cutting mat.

Line up the side seams and lower edges.

To draw the new, fitted side seams you can use a t-shirt you already have as a template, or do it freehand as I did.

Draw a curve from the underarms through the existing hem.

Make sure that both sides curve in by the same amount.

Pin and sew the two layers together along the curve.

Cut just outside the stitching line. I find cutting curves is easier with a rotary cutter.

2. Neckline

Turn the t-shirt right side out.

Draw in a wide, square neckline, starting just outside the existing one.

Don’t go too low, a couple of inches (5 cm) in the center will be enough for most of you.

Cut out the new neckline on the front of the t-shirt only.

Make a lettuce edging by turning in a narrow hem around the cut neckline.

Pull the fabric gently as you sew along the fold with a wide zigzag stitch and a small stitch length of 0 - 1.

Make a small gather in the center of the front neck and pin it in place on either side.

Use a straight stitch to sew between the pins to secure the gather.

3. Sleeves

You can leave the sleeves as they are, but I prefer to cut off the hem and finish the edges the same way as I did the neckline.

Wrap a ribbon or colored string around the bottom of the sleeve.

Tie it in a bow. Hand sew a few stitches over it to keep it in place.

4. Finishing

Thread a hand sewing needle with a strong thread.

Secure it inside the t-shirt behind the neck gather and thread three or four small beads onto it.

Catch the thread down in the front, then loop it back through the beads and sew it down on the inside.