How to Change a Shirt Into a Bubble Hem

Conceal your hips and tummy with a bubble hem shirt.

Give an old, long shirt a makeover with a new bubble hem for a trendy fashion essential for a child or adult. The bubble hem makes a great coverup for any extra weight around the hips and waist. It hugs your hips while the extra length of the fabric falls beyond the hem to billow out and hide the common problem area while also adding a bit of feminine-looking ruffle to the shirt at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Soft tape measure
• 1/4-inch-wide elastic
• Seam ripper
• Safety pin
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of your hips with a soft tape measure. This is where the hem of the shirt will sit when it is finished.

2. Cut a piece of 1/4-inch-wide elastic to the hip measurement.

3. Turn the shirt inside out and use the seam ripper to open up a small section of stitches at the bottom of the side seam. Open the stitches only along the height of the hem.

4. Connect one of the elastic ends to a safety pin and slide it into the small opening in the shirt’s hem. Slide it all the way around the hem and sew the elastic ends to the inside of the side seam.

5. Sew the opening in the seam closed to complete the shirt.

Tips & Warnings

• You can wear the bubble hemline of the shirt around your hips and pair the shirt with a classic pair of jeans. The fabric of the shirt will fall beyond the hem to create the typical bubble hemline. Alternatively, pull the hem of the shirt down as far as it will go to show off your curves and wear the shirt with a pair of leggings and knee-high boots.

References

• T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations for Fabulous Fashions; Carmia Marshall, et al.