How to Corset T-Shirt Sleeves

Adding a corset sleeve to a plain T-Shirt can add pizzazz.

T-shirts are inexpensive clothing options that are both comfortable and durable. However, other than different colors or pictures printed on them, there is little to distinguish one T-shirt from another. If you want to give your T-shirts some pizzazz with minimal design ability, use a grommet kit and ribbon. Knowing the steps to redesign your existing T-shirt, you can turn its sleeves into a lace-up, corset style with little effort.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric scissors
• Seam ripper
• Sewing machine
• Needle (optional)
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Measuring tape
• Grommet tool kit
• Grommets, 1/2-inch
• Grommet washers, 1/2-inch
• Rubber matter
• Ribbon, 1/4-inch
• Candle

Instructions

1. Cut from the bottom edge of the sleeve to the hem that attaches the sleeve to the shoulder of the shirt. Use fabric scissors to achieve a clean cut. Keep the cut straight. Position it on the outer side of the sleeve, centered on the arm.

2. Remove 1/4 inch of the hem at the top of the sleeve on either side of the cut you just made using a seam ripper. Fold both of the cut edges of the sleeve inward 1/4 inch and pin them in place using straight pins.

3. Sew along the folded edges using a sewing machine or needle and thread. Use a straight stitch to create a 1/4-inch hem on either edge of the cut sleeve. Remove the straight pins.

4. Place a measuring tape on the top edge of the sleeve where it meets the shoulder. Place a mark every 1 inch down the length of one of the cut edges of the sleeve, with the first mark 1 inch down from the shoulder seam. Place the marks 1/2 inch in from the cut edge. Mark an identical row of marks on the other cut edge.

5. Punch one 1/2-inch hole at each mark using a grommet punch tool.

6. Place one grommet through the inside of the sleeve and out each of the punched holes. Position it so the cylindrical part of the grommet feeds from the inside of the sleeve, through the holes and out the front of the sleeve. Place a grommet washer on top of the cylinder.

7. Put the grommet setting tool inside the cylindrical part of the grommet. Squeeze the tool. Tap the tool with a rubber mallet two or three times to set the grommet. Open the tool, check the grommet to make sure it’s secured and remove the tool. If necessary, reposition the grommet tool and strike it again. Repeat the process with all the punched holes.

8. Measure the top of the sleeve from the shoulder to the end of the sleeve. Cut a piece of 1/4-inch ribbon measuring three times the measurement of the sleeve. Heat-seal the cut ends of the ribbon by passing it through a candle’s flame to melt them slightly.

9. Feed one loose end of the ribbon through the top grommet on the right side of the sleeve. The top grommet is the one closest to the shoulder. Pass the ribbon through the front of the sleeve and pull it through to the back of the sleeve. Feed it back through the top grommet on the left side. Pull the ribbon through and bring both loose ends of the ribbon together so the ribbon is looped through the two grommets. Cross the ribbons over on the front of the shirt and back through the next set of grommets.

10. Lace up the entire sleeve as you would lace up your shoes. Tie the loose ends of the ribbon into a bow after lacing through the last set of grommets.

11. Repeat the entire process with the other sleeve using more grommets and ribbon.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your fingers free of the grommet tool and rubber mallet to avoid injury.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish