It’s Monday, and you know what that means… time to get crafty! For this week’s DIY, I did a little bit of t-shirt surgery. The finished product is a tie-dye cut-out crop top, made from a previously existing top that I picked up at a Salvation Army store in Brooklyn. Wear this over a knit turtle neck in the fall or pack it away for your next vacay. Instructions below.
Step 1. Put the top on to measure where you want the cropped hem. I like the front a little bit higher than the back hem, to create a draped effect. Cut while laid flat.
Step 2. Cut semi-circle shapes from the shoulders. Start small and try on the top a few times to determine how much to cut (remember, it’s easy to cut more, but you can’t add fabric back).
Tip: If your fabric is fray-resistant, a rough edge will be fine. If not, you may have to turn in the edge and do a straight stitch to keep things in place.
Step 3. Cut a triangle (or whatever motif you’re into) from some contracting fabric. I chose a pre-interfaced gold faux-reptile skin material that had a bit of stiffness and was easy to work with. Position it on your top, and pin it down.
Step 4. Whip stitch the applique in place. A thick, contrasting thread can create an interesting visual accent. Need some help?
That’s it! The key to making this one super cute is selecting a cool print, and a colorful fabric to create the applique.
I gifted this top to one of my amazing gal pals. It’s an easy and unique gift idea if you have an occasion coming up too.
Happy slicing!