Things You'll Need:
- Fabric
- Pins (optional)
- Needle and thread (or sewing machine)
- String or cord
- Safety pin
-
Step 1
Choose a fabric that is soft and drapes well. Your shirt will only work as well as this fabric allows. It should be at least 45 inches wide, or wider if you have a larger frame.
-
Step 2
Cut two lengths of fabric as long as long as your arm (from fingertip to armpit).
-
Step 3
Cut each of these pieces in half lengthwise. You should now have four strips of fabric as long as your arm.
-
Step 4
Fold each strip in half lengthwise, so that you have four long, fairly thin strips. These strips will become the two arms and the front and back of the gypsy shirt.
-
Step 5
Cut one corner off of both layers each of these strips on the unfolded side, starting halfway across the top. For example, if your strip is 12 inches wide (while folded), start in the middle of the strip (six inches from each edge) and cut to a point six inches down the unfolded edge of the strip.
-
Step 6
Unfold your pieces and form them into a "plus sign" shape, with the cut ends pointing toward the middle and the wrong sides of the fabric up.
-
Step 7
Match up the cut edges of each piece with the cut edges of the pieces on both sides. Pin these edges together if you want, and sew them.
-
Step 8
Fold this shape in half, with the wrong side of the fabric out, so that you have one wide strip which will be the body of the gypsy shirt, and one folded strip on each side for the arms. Pin the seam that goes up the side of the body and out along the arm if you want, and sew it in place.
-
Step 9
Fold and sew at least half an inch of fabric down all the way around the neckline. Make sure that this fold is big enough and that your stitching is near enough to the edge of the folded fabric that you will be able to get a string or cord through this casing.
-
Step 10
Turn the shirt right-side out. Make a small snip into the middle of the front of the neckline.
-
Step 11
Attach the string or cord to the closed safety pin. Push the pin into the snip you just made and use it to thread the string through the casing, all the way around the neckline. Be careful not to let the entire string go into the shirt and get lost.
-
Step 12
Once you've gone all the way around the neck, pull the safety pin out of the slit and remove it from the string.
-
Step 13
Hem the bottom of the shirt, and hem the sleeves or make casings around them for elastic (or more drawstrings, if you prefer a puffy-sleeved look). Use the drawstrings at the neck to adjust your gypsy shirt to the look you prefer.
