$5

ingredients

tools

MAKE IT

T-Shirt Project #1

1. Measure from your collarbone to your waist to determine the length of cut L (on the left when you look at the shirt). Measure your bust, add 1” for seam allowance, and divide in half to get B.

2. Use chalk to mark these dimensions onto the shirt.

3. Cut through both the front and back of the shirt along L, then cut the right side and neck.

4. Turn the pieces inside -out. Leaving an armhole, sew the pieces together along L with a straight stitch, leaving a 1/4” seam.

5. Sew seam R, from the bottom up. Stop about 3” below where the cut begins to curve.

6. Cut the elastic to length R.

7. Flatten the seam and line up the elastic alongside, pulling it taut.

8. Attach them with a zigzag stitch along the middle of the elastic.

9. Throw the shirt on. Still too loose? Take in seam L.

10. The armhole and neck? You can zigzag them or leave ‘em raw.

T-Shirt Project #2

1. Fold the shirt diagonally from the left hip to the right shoulder.

2. Chalk the pattern onto it with these measurements: The length of the dress should be the distance from just above your bust to the widest point of your hips. Measure your bust, waist, and hips. Add 1” to each to allow for seams, then divide by four to get B, W, and H.

3. One “point” of the dress-where a strap will attach-should be near the center of the T-shirt’s neck.

4. Lay the shirt flat and cut, creating identical front and back pieces.

5. Trim the top points off of the back along a straight line from armhole to armhole.

6. Turn the pieces inside-out and sew the sides together with a single stitch, leaving a 1/4” seam. As you sew, gently pull the fabric.

7. Turn the dress right-side out.

8. Cut elastic to fit between the two top points and lay it on the front of the shirt flush with the raw edge of the neck. Pulling the elastic only slightly, zigzag it onto the edge of the fabric from point to point.

9. Run a zigzag stitch onto the first 15” of the remaining elastic.

10. Slide one point of the dress under the elastic in the machine, align the edge of the elastic with the edge of the fabric, and zigzag them together around the back of the dress to the opposite point.

11. Zigzag the tail of the elastic through the machine.

12. Put the dress on and have your personal Vanna pin the straps to the back.

13. Attach them about 11/2” in from where they meet in the front for a more flattering look.

T-Shirt Project #3

1. Measure your hips 2” below your waist (or wherever you want the skirt to sit) and at their widest point. Add 1” to each for seam allowance and divide them in half to get W and H.

2. Chalk the pattern onto the shirt, including the triangular “gusset” on the sleeve.

3. Cut out the skirt and gusset, going through both layers of the shirt.

4. Turn the pieces inside-out and sew all the way up R with a straight stitch, leaving a 1/4” seam.

5. To sew in the gusset, sew one side of the triangle to the skirt, leaving a 1/4” seam. Then connect its other side with a 1/4” seam that continues up to the waist.

6. Cut elastic to the first length you measured in step 1, adding 11/4” for overlap.

7. Turn the skirt right-side-out and line the elastic up with the raw top edge of the skirt.

8. Begin at one seam and attach the elastic along the waist with a zigzag stitch, leaving about 5/8” unattached on each side. Don’t pull the elastic as you go.

9. Trim the excess elastic and zigzag the ends together.