T-shirt take II.............My attempt at DIY fashion

I have too many T-shirts....

I have this rediculous T-shirt collection, rediculous because I never, ever wear any of them.  Some I earned running a race, some I earned from drinking a lot at one of my college Sorority functions, some were my dad's, some I stole from old roommates, because let's be honest, they hardly ever wore it and clearly didn't notice it went missing or at least I never heard them asking after it..... but I digress.

 I can't give them away or throw them out, too sentimental.  I can't wear them because most of them are the size of your average Texan eating corndogs and drinking beer at the State Fair.  What's a girl to do....LIGHTBULB.....make them into something else? Let the crafting begin!

 Speciman: Longlseeve 5k Dallas, Tx 2009 Turkey Trot

Goal:  Muscle-T for the gym

Step 1: Lay the t-shirt flat on the floor

Step 2: Cut sleeves off just on the outside of the seem

Step 3: Cut off the bottom seem of the t-shirt

Step 4: Cut 2 more 1-inch strips off the bottom. You can use these strips to lace up the sides of the shirt. Alternatively, you can use the strips from another color t-shirt that you are trashing OR shoelaces will work.

  Step 5: Hold each end of the strips and stretch them out as far as you can to lengthen them.

 Step 6: Cut the side seem from the bottom all the way up to the bottom of the sleeve hole.  This is your opportunity to take some width out of the shirt.  Cut as much off the sides as you like.  I tried it on first and marked the width I wanted with a fabric marker or chalk.

Step 7: Now you are going to make the holes down the side.  Using a pair of scissors (or a Grommet punch if you have one, I did not and couldn't find it at Michael's), cut small slits about 1 inch apart going all the way up the side of the shirt.  You are going to want to close up part of the arm hole if you plan to wear it without a tank or sports bra underneath. I made the mistake of jabbing the holes with my scissors which made the holes WAY to big.  When I try this again, I would fold the material and cut a small slit to keep the hole smaller. 

 
 Step 8: Now you are ready to lace up your shirt.  Using the strips from the bottom of the t-shirt (or a different t-shirt if  you want to mix up the color a bit), lace the strip through the top two holes and pull them until they are even on either side. 
Step 9: Weave the strips, criss-crossing them like you would lacing your sneakers all the way until you reach the bottom.

 

 

 Step 10: If you have any leftover strips at the bottom, tie them in a knot or a bow, you have creative control!

Step 11: Try it on, strut it around the house and wear it proud!

 

     

  Several tips/pointers:

1. If its still too loose on the sides, unlace it, trim off the extra material on each side and re-punch your holes.
2. Use different color strips or shoelaces to change up the look
3. Make a deeper cut into the arm hole area, closer to the neck, to create a skinnier tank strap
4. Cut off one arm hole completely to go for a one shoulder look

Thisis going to take some practice.  I plan to work my way through my t-shirt collection until I have reached perfection.  Enjoy your new look and feel free to leave comments with your experience or creative ideas on this look!