How to Make a Strapless Crop Top Out of an Old Tablecloth

Tools and materials:

• Linen tablecloth
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Elastic
• Pins
• Safety pin
• Sewing machine
• Rope
• Needle and thread

I found this linen tablecloth at the thrift store for literally $1, and I really loved it . First of all, it’s linen, and second of all, the summery white and blue colors gave me the inspiration to do a short, cropped, flowy tube top.

1. Measure and cut the fabric

I first measured on myself how long I wanted the top to be. Then, I measured from the bottom up, added a few inches for seam allowance at the top, and cut straight across.

2. Measure and cut the elastic

Next, I took my elastic, fitted it around me, and cut it to my size.

3. Pin and sew a hem

I pinned down a hem that will enclose all the raw edges when I fold this edge down again to make the tube for the elastic later. Then, I proceeded to sew the hem down.

4. Pin and sew the tube

I used my elastic as a guideline for how wide I needed my tube to be. So I folded that over, leaving myself about a ¼ inch of space or so, and pinned that all down.

I removed the elastic and sew as close to the edge as possible to create my elastic tube.

5. Insert the elastic

To thread my elastic through the tube, I pinned a big safety pin through the end of one side of the elastic. I inserted it into the tube and then pulled it through to the other side. 

Once the opposite end reached where I started threading through, I pinned that end to the opening so the elastic didn’t fall back into the tube.

6. Sew the two elastic ends together

Once both ends were through the openings, I pulled them out a little and pinned them down about an inch overlapping each other.

Then I used a zigzag stitch to make a good few passes through this inch of overlap.

7. Join up the fabric

Next, I hid the elastic seam with the ends of my tubes, so they were nice and lined up.

I then pinched the top of the tube, avoiding the elastic so I could sew a short stitch above and below the elastic connecting the ends of the tubes.

8. Add the tie

For my decorative tie at the back, I decided to use some rope that I had lying around.

I cut it in two and tied it in a bow, leaving two short ends. I pushed them through this slight opening in the tubes so they’ll be hidden.

After that, using a needle and white thread, I sewed straight through the rope in the back of the top to secure it all down. The tie is only decorative; it isn’t functional since I have the elastic.

How to make a strapless crop top

I really enjoyed this DIY strapless crop top project. It felt very rewarding to take an unwanted tablecloth and completely transform it into a cute top that I can wear in the summer.

This DIY was so easy, so I hope you’ll give it a go, or perhaps this tutorial gave you some inspiration for other upcycling projects that you can do. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.