RUFFLED TUBE TOP DIY
If one is good then two is better.
Here’s a girlied up version of my previous post T-Shirt into Summer Top DIY. This time around it’s so simple, in less than an hour you can have a cute Summer top with minimal sewing.
VIEW DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS >
To see the step by step instructions and photos click here.
What you’ll need for your Ruffled Tube Top:
- 1 L or XL T Shirt
- Elastic
- Pins
- Scissors
- Safety pin
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Sewing machine
Step 1
Turn your tee inside out.
Step 2
Fold the bottom hem of your tee over 5 ¾ inches and pin. This will be the ruffle on the top of your tube top.
Step 3
Using your sewing machine, sew a ½ inch seam on the top of your tee. Be sure to leave at least ½ inch open to insert your elastic.
Measure your elastic around your upper chest, pull it a little tight and leave ½ inch to an inch extra to overlap and sew.
Step 4
Attach your safety pin to one end of your elastic and feed it through your seam.
Once your elastic is all the way through sew your 2 ends together and sew your seam closed.
Step 5
Cut the neck off making a straight cut across what will now be the bottom of your top.
Step 6
Cut the sleeves off of your tee.
Step 7
Pin your sides and sew a straight seam down each of your sides. You can take your sides in as much or as little as you want.
Trim the excess fabric off after you sew your seam.
Step 8
I left my bottom hem a raw edge, if you do this be sure to tack the ends of your side seams well, so they don’t unravel.
Or if you prefer you can hem your top as shown here.
Summer is right around the corner and with the warmer weather you’ll need lots of fun Summer tops. You can pick up t-shirts in every color usually for less than $7 each, so you can make a bunch. You can wear it with anything from shorts to a skirt to jeans, dress it up or down and they make great bathing suit cover-ups too.
The only thing I need now is a tan! OMG not even Photoshop helped this time!
There are so many ways to personalize this project you can even make mini ones for the girls. Let me know what you do with yours.
Saw this on pinterest, can’t wait to try it for the summer. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks Tiffany!
xoxo
Cathy
LOVE this!!! Can’t wait to try it out and hopefully make lots for the summer
Thanks Ashlee!:)
xoxo
Cathy
This is just amazing..love the tutorial..great job!!!
Hi Anne,
Thank you so much!
xoxo
Cathy
I LOVE the idea! I think if I made it, I would put the raw hem as the ruffle, and put the hemmed end as the bottom end.
Thanks Jill!
That’s a really good idea too!
xoxo
Cathy
LOVE THIS!!! I also tried this by just making the ruffle 7 inches deep, measured the elastic just below my waist and the inserted it and closed up my seam. And voila! I had a gathered, ruffled bottom t-shirt. Made another one that I turned the hem on the sleeves up and inserted elastic thus creating puffy sleeves for a total different look. Thanks for sharing your idea!!! — BeeJay
Thanks BeeJay! You have some great ideas for this project too! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Cathy
Great top. Love the fuschia
Thanks Anshu!
xoxo
Cathy
Just made 2 of these in less than 30 minutes from tshirts I got at Dollar General for $1.75 a piece. Score!
Wow Tammi! You were inspired! That’s so fabulous, serious score!
xoxo
Cathy
Oooh so cute and simple! I think I’ll try it- thanks for sharing!
I made 2 of these this morning for my daughter and her friend. It was so easy and fun! I cut off a couple of strips from the bottom, and I was able to add cute little straps that tie at the shoulders. Thank you do much for the idea!
I can’t wait to try this with some of my hubby’s old tees
gret blog I love it!
Thank you so much matter of style!
I’m a fan of your blog too!
xoxo
Cathy
Everything you do is beautiful and your instructions and photos are so good and easy to follow… I love Trinkets in Blooms and your blog and will be making beautiful accessories for my granddaughters soon! Thanks for sharing!
H
Very nice
Does the finished product end up inside out or do you fold towards the right side of the shirt?
Hi Laura,
The body of the shirt is inside out, since you are using the hem from the bottom of the t-shirt as the hem on the ruffle, when you fold the ruffle over it will be right side out and the hem will fold under.
Thanks!
xoxo
Cathy
Definitely will make this for my kids..thankyou so much for the idea..
Thanks Dhany!
I’m so glad you like it!
xoxo
Cathy