Difficulty: Beginner
Did you ever wish that you could sew, but you never learned how? Or maybe you would just like a quick and easy project that doesn’t require sewing. This project is for you.
There is no sewing required for this project, but you could sew it if you really wanted to. The only tools that you need are sharp scissors and hot glue or fabric glue. With some strategic cuts and glue placement you can have a unique and stylish shirt that you made.
If you spend any time on Pinterest you will probably have seen no sew t-shirt refashions or up-cycled t-shirt projects. There are so many ideas out there. I basically took bits and pieces of other projects and changed them a bit and then combined to make one shirt.
If you’d like to try your hand at this project grab your supplies and follow along!
Supplies
2 T-Shirts in your size (short sleeved, color or print of your choice)
Sharp Scissors
Glue Gun and Glue or Fabric Glue
Straight Pins or Chalk
Take the shirt that will become the undershirt/tank top and fold in half lengthwise matching sleeves and sides.
As you can see in these pics a chalk painted table top is no match for young kids!
Take scissors and cut off collar through front and back layers at the same time. You will be cutting four layers of fabric, so you need to have sharp scissors. Use the edge of the collar as your cutting guide and cut about a half inch to one inch below the collar.
Once the collar has been removed move over from the edge of the new neckline about two inches and mark with a pin or chalk. If necessary pin or mark with chalk a slightly curved line that goes to just under the armpit. You are removing the sleeves and creating the shape of the tank top at the same time.
Grab your other t-shirt and fold in half lengthwise matching sleeves and sides. Place your new tank top over top of the other shirt to use as a guide making sure to line up bottom and sides.
Mark just outside the outer edge of the tank top on your other t-shirt. This will help you know where to start cutting to make the neckline on this second t-shirt.
Mark a curved line from the shoulder mark you just create to just under the collar. Cut along that marked line or just eyeball it if your good at that.
Now open up the t-shirt and re fold making the side seams flat against each other and creating a center fold from top to bottom in the front and back.
Find the back of the t-shirt and make a fold from top to bottom. Now place your scissors in the fold and cut along the fold about 4 inches. (apparently I forgot to take a picture of the cutting step)
Then find the middle between where you just cut and the bottom and top edges that are together and make another straight cut about four inches in length. The same length as the cut you just made.
Open the t-shirt back up and lay flay with the cut back facing up. You should have three cuts creating four partial rectangles in the back of the t-shirt.
Now take the sleeves that you cut to make the tank top and cut the hemmed edge off of one of the sleeves using the stitches as your guide. Cut four pieces from the hem about one and a half to two inches in length.
Take a piece of the hem and wrap around the, middle of one of the rectangles and secure with a dot of glue. Repeat with the remaining rectangles.
Now that the back of the shirt is complete take your tank top and place inside of the other t-shirt making sure to line up the armpits and bottom hem. Glue the two shirts together in the armpits and in several places on the bottom hem. Allow to dry before wearing.
Now you have a cool new shirt to wear and when people compliment you or ask where you got it you can tell them that you made it. How cool is that! If this t-shirt refashion isn’t your style you could always try making it for a friend or family member as a gift. People love receiving homemade gifts and if you aren’t the crafty type this shirt will be that much more special of a gift.
Tip: launder in a lingerie bag to ensure that the glue holds and the shirt stays together. Or hand wash and line dry. My shirt made it through the wash just fine, but the two shirts pulled apart in the dryer, but I only glued together in the armpits, so a bit more glue would help too.
Happy Crafting!