This is Made From an Old Tank Top?!

Hi guys! Today I’m going to upcycle a plain tank top that I thrifted into a sexy two piece set.

All I used to complete this project was about 1 yard (1.25 meter) of deep fringing, or enough to go around me twice, and a cord drawstring. The whole thing cost me less than $1 and it’s very beginner friendly.

Follow along and I’ll show you exactly how I did it.

Tools and materials: 

• Long tank top
• Approx 1 yd (1.25 m) fringing about 4 inches (10 cm) deep
• Cord drawstring
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pins
• Safety pin or Kirby grip
• Sewing machine

1. Cut the top and skirt

Try the top on and mark where you want it to finish. The fringing will fill the space between the bottom of the top and the skirt waistband.

For me, the top length was 14 inches (35 cm) from the shoulder seam.

Turn the top wrong side out. Lay it flat and line up the side seams and lower edges.

Measure and mark 14 inches (35 cm) or your desired length from the shoulder seam at either side of the neckline.

Join the points with a straight line and cut along the line.

2. Make the skirt

Put the top section to one side.

We’re going to use the lower hemmed edge of the original top as the skirt waistband.

Turn the skirt right side out.

Fold it in half lengthways to find the center.

Open it out flat and carefully snip a 3/4” (2 cm) hole through the outer layer of the waistband at the center front. 

Unknot one end of the drawstring and start passing it through the hole.

You will probably find it easier if you attach a safety pin or Kirby grip to the end first.

Thread the cord all the way around the waistband and bring it out again through the hole.

Knot the end.

T-shirt fabric doesn’t fray, so you can leave the lower edge of the skirt as it is, as I did, or turn up a narrow hem.

3. Attach the fringing

Turn the top section right side out.

Starting at one side seam, pin the top edge of the fringing around the lower edge of the top.

Depending on the design of your fringe, you want the band at the top of the fringe to cover the lower 3/4” (2 cm) of the top. Keep the top flat as you pin it and don’t stretch it.

Pin the fringe all around the waist twice, to make a thick edging that will have plenty of movement.

End your pinning at the same side seam where you started.

At the sewing machine, join the ends of the fringe band together with the right sides facing, and trim off any excess.

With the right side uppermost, sew two rows of stitching to attach the fringe to the top, around the upper and lower edges of the band. 

Make sure you’re sewing through both layers of the band as well as the top, and not catching the fringing itself in the stitches.

Keep the fabric smooth and flat as you sew.