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BTW- thanks, DIY Princess, for sending a completely cute tip for silky halter tops!
Halter Idea #1:
1 Take old silky pajamas, in the color of your choice, and create a triangular bust outlined with ribbon contrasting the color of the pajamas.
2 Sew lace around the bottom of the top and make straps from the remaining scraps of pajamas.
3 To be really creative, cut an angle in the bottom of the top to reveal the belly button. Hope you like this idea as much as I did!
Love, A DIY Princess
Making a shirt into a halter top #2:
1 Pick out your shirt. It can be short-sleeved, tank, 3/4 length or long sleeved. I suggest 3/4 length or short. They would be very unique and you would probably get a lot of compliments.
2 Decide whether or not you want sleeves. I think they'd be pretty cute, but it's your shirt so do it however.
3 Decide how much of the back you want to be halter. It could start from the outside edges of your shirt, but it could start farther in. Once you get good at making halter tops you could try making the string part in a shape, like a circle or heart.
4 Measure and mark where to cut. Follow the cutting and lacing directions in the article below about slitting clothes (below).
Making a shirt into a cap-sleeved shirt:
1 Take a T-shirt (Logo Ts, concert Ts, or ethnic print tops, etc.) and cut the sleeves at a slight angle.
2 Cut slits or poke eyelets (those silver holes that hold shoelaces in place)around the outside edge of the sleeve. Take ribbon or leather cord or yarn and "stitch" it in and out of the slots. An easier way to do this is to tie the cord to a safety pin and rub the pin in and out. Then take the safety pin off. Tie a little knot or bow and leave however much hanging off as you want! Voila! Adjustable cap sleeves!
Making a shirt into a tank top:
1 Neatly chop the sleeves off.
2 Leave the straps as is (very thick) or trim them more. Some example are scallop-edged
straps, double or triple straps (having more than one thin strap on each shoulder), angled straps, wavy or zig-zaggy straps, etc.
3 Decorate or leave as is. Look at the random ideas (below) for more ideas.
Making a shirt into a One-Shoulder Top:
1 Make this the same way you make a tank, except you cut one shoulder's straps off.
Or, Take a T-shirt and cut diagonally from one shoulder to other side's chest for a different look.
2 You can then cut off the sleeve or leave it as it is.
Slitting a T, Tank, Three-Quarter Length Shirt, Pants, Skirt, Etc...
1 Slit open the sides of the shirt (or pants or whatever, but I'm just gonna call it a shirt OK? OK.) You may want to open it on the seam if there is a seam or inseam on the outside edges. The "shirt" should still be all in one piece, just with the outside edges open.
2 Make small holes or tiny slits all along both sides. Make sure the holes are big enough to thread through, but not too big for your thread. (For example, if you are using thick ribbon you need bigger holes than if you are using leather cord or lanyard.)
3 Thread your string through. If the "thread" is thick, try using a safety pin instead of a needle for easier guidance through the slots.
4 Tie a strong knot, a double knot, or bows at the top and bottom of the side of the shirt. (Tip: If you want to use bows, either: A) knot it and then bow it, B) double bow it, or C: knot it and tie a second ribbon on to tie in a bow. These will keep your thread from catching a snag on a door or something and your shirt flying open! Eeek! Or from jerk-esque guys from pulling on your bow for the same reason! Hope that doesn't happen!)
All About Shoes:
1 Got some old tennies that just don't fit anymore? Cut out the backs and make them slip-on sneaks.
2 Do you have some old ballet shoes? If not, you might wanna get some! Decorate them with rhinestones and fabric paint. !En pointe!
3 Get some Mary Janes and make glitter stripes or polka dots on the strap with glitter glue or fabric glue + glitter.
4 Flip flops: decorate with cloth flowers, rhinestones, beads, buttons, beaded safety pins, etc.
Connect the shirts:
1 Try cutting the sleeves off a long-sleeved shirt and sewing them onto a T-shirt. You could also do that with pants (see next tip).
Turning cutoffs into bellbottoms:
1 Cut the thighs out of an old pair of jeans.
2 Sew the thighs upside-down (with smaller part at top) to the bottom of a pair of jean shorts. Since the thigh part of jeans are bigger than the calf part, you now have an original pair of bellbottoms! (You have such a flair for flares, lol!)
Random ways to decorate clothes:
1 Glue on or stitch on (stitching would probably keep the patch on better) patches.
2 Add bright fabric to cuffs or sleeves.
3 Add fuzzy (like fur boas) trim to neckline, waistline, sleeves, or cuffs.
4 Create a design out of rhinestones, using fabric glue to adhere them to clothes. For jeans, try adding the sparkle to outline front pockets, to create a design on back pockets, or to make long twirling lines of stones to the legs.
5 Use glitter glue to twinkle and add gleam. Dilute glitter glue and spread all over item (or just use fabric glue mixed with glitter) for a starry effect.
6 Fringe (make snips) the bottom of a shirt, pants, or skirt carefully (but the snips can be uneven or of different lengths if you want a spontaneous look). Fringe can be as long as you prefer.
7 Keep old fabric and extra fabric (for example, extra denim from when you made those jeans into cutoffs). You can use small pieces to make armbands, hairbands, chokers (but don't make them tooo tight!), etc. You can use big pieces of fabric to make tube tops, skirts, etc. Sew whatever-sized pieces for a quilty look -- put random pieces on jeans or overalls, or if you have a lot of material, actually make a quilt!
8 Trim the neckline however you want, if you want to. Try diferent styles, i.e. boatneck, V-neck, or scoop neck.
9 Cut the waistline if you prefer. You can make the shirt a crop top, a bandana top, or you can cut slits in the front, back, or sides of the shirt.
10 Decorate clothing with knicknacks, beads, cloth flowers, beaded safety pins, bright buttons, braided ribbons, etc.
Suggested Reading for More Fun Ideas:
http://www.planetyumthing.com This site tells lots of DIY ideas, from making clothes to beauty recipes! Learn how to make a sequined top, a messenger bag, even prom ideas (this is great! You'll get a cutie dress without having ten other girls wearing the same thing!)!
CosmoGirl! This is my favorite magazine because it's so unique and often has DIY tips! Check out the August 2000 issue and read the article "It's Sew Easy!" on page 110 for more kickass ideas from real girls. |