https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/stripy-t-shirt-refashion • Posted by Julie from Sum of their Stories
How I took two old T-shirts and turned them into a new colour-block stripy top. A simple, fun refashion.
How I took two old T-shirts and turned them into a new colour-block stripy top. A simple, fun refashion.
For this refashion I took an old navy and white striped top. It was too wide and had 3/4 sleeves which I don't really like.
I picked up a cheap pink stripy t shirt in a charity shop which was pretty much the same weight of fabric. The neck on this was WAY too tight.
I chopped about 4 inches from the bottom of the white top, straightening it up. That's the good thing about stripes like this, it's easy to get things straight. That brought the bottom of the white top to just below my waist level which is where I want the coloured stripes to begin. Next I sorted out the "too wide" issue with the white top. The easiest way to do this if it's not too massively ill fitting, is to put the top on inside out. Then just pin two new side seams (one each side) where you want them to be. Now take the top off carefully so you don't stab yourself. This can be done with safety pins if you are clever and sensible.
I stitched down these seams, but on the left side I left a gap of about 2 inches at the bottom edge, as shown in the photo. This is so you can attach the contrast border on the bottom.
I cut a 7 1/2" wide strip from the bottom of the pink t-shirt, and then cut off the left side seam to make one long rectangle. The old bottom hem of the pink t-shirt will become the bottom hem of the new top, no need to make work for yourself! Right sides together, I lined up the two intact side seams and pinned the pieces together.
This picture shows the side seams lined up. Pin carefully making sure the seam is straight along the stripes.
Stitch, I used a very slight zig zag stitch as this is jersey fabric. Next stitch up the open side seam. Pressed it all with the iron then give the join seam two rows of top stitching so it lies nice and flat.
Next extending the sleeves. The 3/4 sleeves on the white strip top are 9" wide and 7.5" too short to reach my wrists. So I cut 2 rectangles of the remaining pink t-shirt 9.75" x 10" (this allows for a hem at the wrist and seam allowances) I turned one long edge and gave it two rows of top stitching to form a cuff.
Next I turned the rectangle into a tube by sewing up the long edge leaving a 1" seam allowance and then turned it right side out. I just slid the tube into the white top sleeve, lining up the seams and pinned it in place.
At this point I tried it on to make sure the sleeves were the right length, then attached these new sleeve extensions with a simple row of top stitching.