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Transform Your T-Shirt into a Tunic

comments (16) January 13th, 2010     

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CalPatch cal patch, contributor
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With a few easy steps restyle an old T-shirt into a standout tunic.
Find an old T-shirt in your closet or at a thrift store.
Photo: Sloan Howard
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2. Bind the neckline. Find a long, skinny scrap at least 11⁄2 inch wide and long enough to bind the neck. Be sure to leave the tails long enough to tie at the back. Find the center of the strip by folding it in half lengthwise. Pin the strip face down to the CF notch on the wrong side of the T-shirt insert. Continue pinning all the way around the neckline. Then, stitch a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance around the neckline.


 Bind the neckline.


3. Finish the neckline. Now fold the binding over the raw edge of the neckline. Tuck the edge under, and pin, continuing out to the ends of the ties. Edgestitch around the neck from the end of one tie to the end of the opposite tie.


 Finish the neckline.


4. Sew buttons onto the insert. Hand-stitch a few buttons to the insert at CF. No one will believe that your tunic came from an oversize T-shirt; in fact, I recommend you carry a “before” photo around as proof.


 Sew buttons onto the insert.


Before and After

excerpted from CraftStylish Restyle, p. 19

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posted in: sewstylish feature, embroidery, sewstylish technique, t-shirt
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Comments (16)

chibimaddy writes: I hope to be able to make one for me. Since I'm already a big girl, I may have to buy 2 over-sized shirts, but I've not seen a design this cute in any of the stores, so learning to sew this pattern would be worth it!.
Posted: 9:51 pm on March 11th
Apachewmn writes: This looks great! I am not a clothes sewer, I usually just make crafts and this looks like it would be too daunting of a task for me??? although I might give it a try.

Thanks again for the tutorial.
Posted: 2:36 pm on July 14th
earthwings9 writes: I like it and think its cute. They are selling something like them at Kohls. Its only a T shirt so not much expense involved if you mess it up or don't like it lol.
Posted: 6:06 pm on May 12th
wdetc2914 writes: Looks really cute. I would love to see it on someone modeling it.
Posted: 4:53 pm on May 12th
paintedwithheart writes: Going to give it a try, really hope it turns out as cute! Thanks for posting!
Posted: 4:41 pm on May 12th
PearlieGirl1 writes: So creative....makes me want to dust off my sewing machine and give it a go!
Posted: 9:43 am on April 20th
doodah_mama writes: Thank you for the tutorial! I just love reconstructing garments...it is so satisfying! Did have some trouble with this one, but I'm sure it was my error; the bustline included way too much of the sleeve! Very tight across the front with lots of fabric in the back! I will certainly try again, though.
Posted: 8:41 am on April 9th
quilties writes: I really like this, thank you for sharing! I'll surely try it!

I would like to see the finished product on you...what do you think?

Posted: 12:02 am on February 4th
adornable writes: I am soooo impressed! I always thought that all those jersey tee-shirts could be sewn into something stylish and fun. Thanks for this tutorial.
Posted: 2:00 pm on January 31st
birdlingsflat writes: Thanks so much. I've been saving big t-shirts until I could figure out a pattern & here it is! I love it.
Posted: 1:27 pm on January 14th
Idna writes: Great idea!!! I'll recycle the too loose tees of my brother :p thanks! it seems easy!
Posted: 7:58 am on January 14th
Bigpurpledragon writes: I really love this. Can't wait to try it! Thanks for an easy tutorial too. x
Posted: 5:24 am on January 14th
sunFlowerseeds writes: This Is a Great Way To Make This I Wear These A Lot. I just Hope I Can Do It.There Not Cheap Either I Have Had My Newachine For 5 Months And Have Never Used It Im Having Next Week As Soon As I Heal Up Im Going To Try This I Like the Way It Show The Details.Just Wanted To Say It Turned Out Great.
I Will Be Checking This Site Out ALot Happy sewing Everyone!
Posted: 9:23 pm on January 13th
brendagail writes: This is really clever, I agree. It seems like a lot of redesigning, though..almost as much trouble as making one from scratch. If I buy a man's larger size t-shirt, I am wondering if I could just lay a current pattern on top and recut based on the pattern? Somehow I am more comfortable with a pattern to rely on than with entirely resizing armholes, necks, etc. But, hey -- that salvage store t-shirt is still much cheaper than buying the fabric off the bolt!


Posted: 8:08 pm on January 13th
hellopf writes: Very cute makeover but didn't the color of the t-shirt change somewhere in the process? I like the darker green much better! Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 7:37 pm on January 13th
Terry6 writes: This is the most clever and cutest shirt I have EVER seen!!! I have to get some oversize tees and try this for my daughters. The creativity of the designer is amazing! Thank you for yet another fantastic idea.
Posted: 6:56 pm on January 13th
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