
STEP ONE:
Choose a loose-fitting tank top from your wardrobe. If you haven't got one, just use any tank top and then add 4-6 inches on each side, tapering it so that it's angling downward (tighter at the top and looser at the bottom). Fold your fabric in half and place your tank on your fabric. Trace it out, adding an extra inch all around for seam allowance. You'll notice that I started where the straps turn into the underarms. You need the curve of the underarm, but no straps. The ribbon becomes your strap. Remember, if you're using a flowy material, the wider you make the tubing (top/collar), the more you can bunch it together. This fabric wouldn't flow right if I made it *too* wide. But, I really would have preferred it to look more bunched. The next time around, it will!
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Pin inside of the traced lines |
STEP TWO:
Pin around the entire thing from the INSIDE of where you traced about an inch. Once it's all pinned, cut along your line. STEP THREE:
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Tubing, pinned |
Pin your tubing. In order to lace the ribbon through the top, you'll need to create a tube at the top of the front and back. Simply fold over the top 1.5 inches and pin in place (fold it so that the top end touches the 'ugly/traced' side where you'll do all of the hemming. You should leave more room than I had, add an extra 1.5 inches straight up at the top. I had to make it work since I had a limited amount of fabric left, but you have the opportunity to make it perfect! If the directions seem unclear, reference the picture. You can see the two tubes fold away from each other and the fabric is pinned down on to the ugly side, the side that will be inside when you've finished sewing and turn the shirt right side out. It may be more helpful once you start sewing to move the pins higher on the tubing so that you can sew as close to the bottom as possible. You want room in your tube for the ribbon to go through easily.
STEP FIVE:
Stitch the tubes in place, then hem your underarms and the bottom of the shirt. After that, stitch the sides up. I didn't hem the underarms, instead I used Fray Check. Normally I would, but because I had to scrimp on the fabric toward the top, I didn't think it would look good. The type of fabric I used made it easy to do that, but if you use the chiffon or jersey, you'll need to hem *everything*.
STEP SIX:

I can't wait to try this again with a different fabric. It would be great to make and give these away as well. The fit of the shirt allows for a lot of variance in size.
That's all from me today... have a wonderfully warm afternoon!
I think I saw the other version and was wondering how they made that fit around the arms as well. Thanks for this tutorial as I've been wanting to make one for my daughter and I for a while now. Maybe even turn hers into a dress :) Have a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteA dress would be ADORABLE! you could make one into a dress for yourself as well and belt it ;) *you* have a wonderful day and thanks for reading!
Deletelove your diys! this one reminds me of the ol' pillow case dress for kids!... totally want a shirt for m self now!
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