How to Jazz Up a T-shirt

Turn a boring T-shirt into a work of art.

Stop staring at the boring white T-shirt you put on with disdain and do something about it. No longer do you have to banish dull T-shirts to the back of your closest. Look at your shirt as an art canvas and decorate it however you like, adding extra fabric, ripping it up, or tie-dyeing it. Hit up an art supply store or a fabric store to pick up fabric glue, markers and glitter to create a T-shirt with a little personality.

Things You'll Need

• Extra fabric (solid or patterns)
• Fabric glue
• Fabric glitter
• Cardboard
• Wax paper
• Fabric scissors
• Fabric dye

Instructions

1. Add fabric from another piece of fabric. If you have another old shirt, pants, sheets, or even curtains in a different color or pattern, you can cut them up and add them to your T-shirt. For example, you can cut out a square from a patterned curtain, pin in to the shirt you want to alter, then sew it on using a sewing machine. Or, you can add a pocket by cutting out a pocket shape from any fabric and sewing it on the left or right chest area of the shirt. Turn the shirt inside out before sewing so that the sewing thread is not visible.

2. Add glitter to your T-shirt. Gather up different colors of fabric glitter. Place a piece of cardboard or wax paper inside of the T-shirt to avoid glue bleeding through the other side. Write your name, draw a design, or anything you would like on the shirt in fabric glue, then sprinkle the fabric glitter generously over the glue. Slide your hand inside the T-shirt and tap off the excess glitter. Allow the glitter to dry completely before turning the T-shirt over and decorating the other side. Place a piece of wax paper on the T-shirt to cover the glittered sections and gently pat down to help keep the glue glitter in place.

3. Rip the T-shirt up. Stylishly shred the T-shirt using fabric scissors. You can snip holes into the sides by cutting out small triangles along each side of the T-shirt, making sure to cut through both sides. Make a fringed bottom by cutting even, 1-inch strips in the bottom of the shirt. Add beads to the bottom of each fringe, tying a knot at the end to secure each bead. Another idea is to make deep slashes into the T-shirt with a sharp knife, then wear it over a colorful tank top that will be visible through the large gaps.

4. Tie-dye the T-shirt. Fold up the T-shirt accordion style, then tie the shirt with rubber bands down the entire length, spaced out however you would like. Fold up the tied shirt and tie together with more rubber bands if you want. Prepare the dye by dissolving different colors of fabric dyes with hot water and salt. Refer to the instructions on the specific fabric dye you purchase. Dip different sections of the T-shirt into the dyes for at least three minutes each to set the colors. Wring out the excess water, then place the shirt in a plastic bag overnight. Remove the rubber bands and rinse the shirt the next day in warm water until the water runs clear, then rinse with cool water. Wash the shirt on a cold setting before wearing it .

Tips & Warnings

• Sew items such as buttons, colorful cotton balls and other decorative items onto your T-shirt to jazz it up.

References

• Cut Out and Keep: Jazzed Up T shirts
• The Crafty PC: Glitter Embellished T-shirt
• Family Fun; Twisted Tie With Dunking Dye
• Family Fun: Tie-Dyed T-Shirts

Resources

• Divine Caroline; A Millions Ways to Recycle or Spice Up a T-Shirt; December 2008
• Queens of Guttersnipe; DIY: 3 Ways to Jazz Up a T-shirt; August 2011