How to Make a Cute Shirt From a T-Shirt Without a Sewing Machine

Turn a plain T-shirt into a work of art by adding embellishments to it or by cutting its neckline or hemline to better flatter your figure. Since it's your shirt, you can choose what to add to make it cute. If you like glitter, add a row of sequins to the shirt. If you embroider, give the shirt an embroidered neckline or hem. Make a too-large T-shirt fit you better by tying a fabric belt or scarf around your waist.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Fabric paint, glitter or sequins
• Embroidery needle
• Thread
• Fabric glue

Instructions

Cutting

1. Make a scoop- or V-neck neckline on the T-shirt. Draw a semi-circle or "V" shape on the front of the shirt with a fabric marker, near the neck. If you plan on wearing the shirt over another one, make the scoop or V as deep as you like. If you want to wear the shirt on its own, make a small scoop or V to start. You can always cut more later. Use scissors to cut the T-shirt along the semi-circle or V to make the neckline. Alternately, draw the scoop or V on the back of the T-shirt instead or in addition to the front for a low-cut back, then cut along the lines.

2. Put the shirt on, and examine the sleeve length. If you want to shorten the sleeves, mark where you want the sleeves to hit while still wearing the shirt. Take the shirt off, and trim the sleeves. Since T-shirts are typically made of knit fabric, you don't have to worry about the raw edges unraveling.

3. Draw a saw-tooth pattern along the hem of the shirt, then cut along the pattern to make a ragged hem.

Embellishment

1. Draw a design on the front of the shirt with a marker. If you doubt your drawing skills, keep it simple. Geometric shapes, such as a circle with a triangle or a square, look cute and are easy to draw. A basic flower is another simple option. Wiggly and straight lines can also look cute. Trace the lines you drew with fabric paint. Or make the shirt sparkle by using glitter paint, if you want.

2. Thread an embroidery needle with thread, and trace the lines you drew with running stitches instead of paint for a different option.

3. Fill in the design with paint or stitches for a third option. Use running stitches as filler stitches, or use more complex stitches, such as a chain stitch or French knots, if you wish. Use fabric glue to attach sequins to the inside of the design, if you prefer.

References

• "Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt"; Megan Nicolay; 2006