How to Make an Empire Waist T-Shirt

Turn a tired T-shirt into a trendy empire-waist top.

You can add flair to your favorite jeans-and-tee outfit by giving your favorite shirt an graceful empire waist. The 19th century style features a high waist gathered right below the bust, which highlights the feminine silhouette. The fabric below the waist line is loose-fitting, shifts gracefully and flatters thick waistlines by hiding the mid-section. Today's empire waists feature a modern look with an accentuated bust line and a more form-fitting bodice that hugs your curves. An empire waist can fill out your t-shirt in all the right places.

Things You'll Need

• Common pins
• Grommet punch
• Grommets
• Ribbon
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Try on your T-shirt while wearing a bra. Stand up straight with your hands down at your sides.

2. 

   An empire waist sits just below the bust line.

   Place pins along your bra line, starting in the center under your bust. Place pins approximately every 2 inches at least to the area under your arms.

3. Remove your T-shirt. Lay it flat in front of you on a table.

4. 

   Mark your empire waistline with pins.

   Continue placing pins around the back of the T-shirt that line up with those on the front.

5. Punch holes in the t-shirt along the pin line. Space holes as evenly as possible, approximately 2 inches apart. This will become your gathered waistline and does not need to be perfect.

6. Attach the grommets to the fabric by putting the grommets through the front and securing them in the back.

7. 

   Choose thick or thin cloth ribbon in solid color or a print.

   Weave your ribbon through the grommets with an in-and-out pattern, leaving a foot-long ribbon tail on each end.

8. Try on your T-shirt again. Gather the ribbon tight below your bust. Tie the two ends of the ribbon in a bow to form the empire waist.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a loose fitting t-shirt if you desire a fullness to the fabric gathered under the waistline For an empire waist with a form fitting bodice, choose a somewhat fitted tee.

• Experiment with different ribbon widths and colors. A ribbon narrower than your grommet opening may expose your skin for a peek-a-boo effect.

• Remove ribbon before laundering.

• Do not punch a hole too big, or your grommet will fall through. A hole that is too small can always be made bigger.

References

• Fashion-Era: Regency Fashion 1800s Costume History: Pauline Weston Thomas
• The Martha Stewart Show: Crafts: Leather Belt: April 2007
• Chicago Tribune: The Empire Waist Takes a Bow This Fall: Jessica Ramakrishnan