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Friday, April 13, 2012

Spring Tank Top from Scraps

striped spring top made from scraps of t-shirts
I made this shirt from scraps of t-shirts.
striped spring top made from scraps of t-shirts
I had the remains of a shirt I bought at Target for $.60 a few weeks ago. I decided to use  the remains of it (I cut off the bottom and sleeves for this project) to make a new shirt.
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I used a tank top that fits well to cut out a pattern for the body. There wasn’t enough of the shirt left to use for the entire top.IMG_4984 
I cut around the body and arms, leaving a 1/2” seam allowance. IMG_4985
I squared off the neck and back so they are cut straight across. I used the back part of the shirt as the front (I don’t like when my tops are too low-cut). I cut the front piece higher than the back. IMG_4986
I wanted to use the sleeves to make binding for the neck and armholes, so I cut them apart at the seams to preserve as much fabric as possible.  IMG_4988

I pinned the sides of the tank top and sewed with a zig-zag stitch. I stopped right under the arm hole. (Don’t stitch the arm holes closed. You won’t like your shirt as much.)
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Now measure the arm holes. Cut a piece of binding 1.5 inches wide and as long as the arm hole. Fold it in half and iron it.
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Pin the binding to the arm hole. Use lots of pins. IMG_4991

I sewed two rows of stitching to make it *look* like a serged seam. (I don’t have a serger.)
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Repeat for the other arm hole.
I measured the front and cut another piece of 1.5” wide binding as long as the front piece.
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Do the same for the back.IMG_4994 IMG_4995

I like my shirts to be long. I also hate to hem things. So I added a little band to the bottom. I used a scrap of pink fabric from this skirt. 
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I just folded the fabric in half, cut to the length of the bottom of the shirt and used a stretch stitch to attach it. IMG_4997

Next, I made some straps. I used scraps of 3” jersey fabric. I made mine 11.5” long and sewed them on three sides like a tube, then turned the tube right sides out. Then I pressed it and sewed it closed on the other end.
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To finish off the straps, I top stitched around the perimeter.

To attach them to the tank top, I sewed a square of stitches.
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I added two fabric flowers and a pink scrap to the shirt.
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And that was it. I love to use scraps to make something useful and cute.
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9 comments:

  1. Awesome! Hey - I just found out that I'm supposed to get permission to pin to pinterest. Is it ok for me to pin this one to my Tutorials board? I want to save it for when I have time... (like NOT on my kids' spring break!) :)

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    1. I didn't know you had to have permission, but go ahead and pin it. Thanks!

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  2. love it! Going to pin and try your tutorial soon.
    Emily
    domesticdeadline.blogspot.com

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  3. Very creative! I wouldn't have thought of that :)

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  4. this is adorable, I love how it turned out!

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    1. Thanks for the comment! It means a lot that you would comment on my blog b/c I LOVE your blog!

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  5. Super cute! I love that color pop on the bottom

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  6. I LOVE the stripes with the coral! SO cute. What a great way to use up old t-shirts! :) I am so impressed!! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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