in my closet: a baggy top i purchased from GAP about a year ago.
it’s a size xs but it has no shape and it’s not flattering to a figure
so i added an elastic waist and made the neckline higher.
before/after:
i unstitched the neckline and it looked like this after:
then i gathered a bunch on the neckline and sewed it.
then to make the elastic waist, you’ll need:
matching thread of the shirt(i used gray but pictured is white thread)
elastic thread
wind the elastic thread unto the bobbin with your hand.
don’t tug or stretch the elastic thread but wind it loosely.
thread the machine normally with the regular thread.
make the stitch length 3 or higher and play with the tension/length a little bit
on a scrap fabric to get the desired effect.
then i sewed along on the lower-waist part of the shirt horizontally.
after:
p.s: it’ll look a lot better if ironed, but you know me, i hate ironing! π
so if you have a shapeless shirt, you can add a simple elastic waist to it to give it a shape!
Jenn Miyamoto says
Cute Sarah!
Erin says
What a great idea! I can't wait to try this!
caroline {good times never seem sew good} says
very cute! love this idea!
projectdowhatyoulove says
Grerat tutorial, and it turned out lovely! Good job!
Natalie
http://www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com
Michelle says
I usually shop in the petite dept. (I'm only 5'1") but I just picked up 2 clearance-priced tees in the women's dept and was getting ready to shorten them. I think your tutorial will save me from cuttting and re-hemming. Thanks!
ashley says
what a great idea!! i just found your blog and i love it! i'm following along now π π
http:/ashley-diaryofareporter.blogspot.com
Lauren says
I hate ironing, too! π I actually have this problem a lot, so this is going to be such a helpful tutorial! Thanks!
Saffy Greenfreak says
OMG i love the neckline. Honestly, the shirt is super plain before you DIY it. Doesnt even looks like its from GAP. You're a genious!
Bee says
This is a great idea for a baggy shirt. I often find myself revamping old clothes into something new. I enjoy yoru blog and hope you might stop by mine {sewingB} π
craftinessbyb.blogspot.com
Bret and Cami says
Love the idea! Thank you for the tutorial! ps- I made the squeezebox tee and love it!
Naomi Mae says
You have the BEST refashion ideas on the web seriously! I've been away from blogging a bit lately, but I always lovencatching up on your blog!
Vanessa says
First of all, I read your last post (the men/mars venus…you get the point) and I have to say that I can totally relate to feeling down and out when it comes to all the effort you put into things with sewing related blogs and no comments! BUT when struggling with this, I try to remember why I was doing it in the beginning and that really helps, also the verse in the Bible about whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
Then, secondly, I bought elastic thread recently to do my own little tutorial for a scarf and in my HEAD it was super easy. I hand wound the bobbin and am using regular thread on top, I adjusted the tension like you said and it is just sewing a normal straight stitch, not gathering up like it "should" be doing. I mean…if you have ANY thoughts on why this is happening, I would LOVE to hear it, because I am completely frustrated with what is going on. I have a Brother and I read somewhere that maybe they have problems with shiring/sewing elastic thread…maybe this is the case…but it is making me feel absolutely insane and I'm not a complete dummy when it comes to sewing! LOL!
Anyways…I love your blog…you have a beautiful family and at least you get at least 10 people to comment on your blog posts at any given time…lol!
uglybeat says
Brilliant! Love this…
Manic Insomniac says
It looks great, awesome job.
SupaFlowaPowa says
i wanna try this but it still looks so hard for the sewing beginner in me!
Michelle says
Love it! What a great idea. It looks so much better than the original. I have been browsing your blog today and I LOVE IT! I especially love the sewing tutorials! Thanks for all the great ideas.