Categories: sewing

Nautical Navy T-shirt Refashion

Are you ready for another t-shirt refashion? I do these regularly when I get tired of what’s in my drawers. I have a stash of too-big shirts that I go “shopping” in and then I start playing around. Most of them came from a clearance sale I went to a couple of years ago and were $2 each, but I believe this one was only $.97 (even better).

So trying it on, it was pretty big. The problem areas were the neck line being so low, it was too wide, and I wanted short sleeves. Check out how much fabric was under my arm there!

After folding and playing with the fabric for a few minutes to get an idea of what I wanted to do (while it was on me), I came up with a crazy plan that turned out rather cool. So go grab a t-shirt, and let’s get going!

 

  1. As you can see from the photos, everything was too low (neckline, under the arms, and even the length) and I wanted to pull it all up. So the first step was cutting a few inches off the shoulder area. Cut through the top of the sleeve as well (I know, it’s unusual). By cutting the top of the sleeve, you’re taking out the bagginess that also comes in the sleeve.
  2. Cut off the sleeves to the length you want them. I didn’t choose to hem mine (the knit won’t fray), but you can if you’d like to.
  3. If the front and back shoulder area of your shirt are now different lengths (mine was longer in the back), run a gathering stitch and gather the longer piece to fit the shorter piece. Pin everything in place.
  4. Run a second basting stitch along the cut portion of each sleeve, and gather it tightly. Fold the gathered section in half on itself, and pin together.
  5. Right sides together, sew from the edge of the sleeve to the neckline, backstitching at the beginning and end. Your sleeve should now look like this (right side out); pretty cute detail!
  6. Now onto the gathered neck! Run a gathering stitch on both sides of some double fold bias tape (opened up and twice the length of your neckline). If you want to make some from a fun fabric, here’s a good tutorial. Then pull and gather till you get the look you want. Pin it to the neck of your shirt, and stitch it on. I did two separate pieces and overlapped them at the base of the V.
  7. Next, take in the sides of the shirt (if you need to). I like to put my shirt on inside out and use the pinch method: I pinch the excess fabric and either make marks with a fabric pen or pin it where I want the new seams. Then, create your new side seams, and your t-shirt refashion is ready to go!

I love the neckline of this t-shirt refashion, but mostly I love the sleeve detail. It got rid of the excess in all the right places and ended up unique as well!

Lisa

Lisa Mabey blogs at Mabey She Made It about DIY, Crafts, Home Decor, and Sewing.

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Lisa
Tags: fashionrefashiont-shirtupcycle
10 years ago

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