How to Turn a Simple T-shirt into a “Summer Tank”
Summer is here and so is the need for new outfits. With new outfits comes new trends, new opportunities, and a whole new look.
This is something I look forward to every year since summer is one of my favorite seasons!
A popular trend that is sparking interest in the DIY world is the t-shirt tank. Many times, I will be in a store and see a t-shirt design or logo that I like, but unfortunately it is only in a long or short sleeve, and this North Carolina heat has me in sleeveless tops soaking up the sun all summer long.
This DIY t-shirt into tank project will help create the perfect summer top that could be worn with almost anything.
This past week I went to my local Triad Goodwill in search of t-shirts to turn into stylish tank tops. Goodwill has always been a place for me to bargain hunt and find the next trendy piece for my closet. The look I am trying to go for is something that I can dress up or down, depending on the occasion. While shopping, I came across two shirts that were good candidates for this project.
One of the shirts was a tan short sleeve top with black polka dots (I’ve been all about polka dots recently!) plus- it was in great condition with soft, quality material.
The other shirt was a plain white shirt with a fun saying on the front. These two shirts were perfect for creating two looks- a cute casual one, and an athletic one.
When tackling this project, I only needed three items: a pair of scissors, a ruler, and a washable pen.
Step 1: Cut the sleeves off the t-shirt.
I marked a line along the seams and cut the sleeves off on both sides. This could vary depending how how thick someone wants the strap to be. If you want a thinner strap, cut closer to the neckline.
Step 2: Choose you shirt length
I tried the shirt on and marked how short I wanted the top to fall (for me, this was 1.5 inches from the bottom) on the front side.
Then, I flipped the shirt over and traced a straight line across using the mark on the front as a reference and cut along the line.
Step 3: Find the middle for the knot
After cutting the back side, it was time to work on the front. I found the middle of the shirt by simply folding it in half.
I made a mark with my pen, and cut a 2 inch straight line (this would later be used to create the knot in the front).
How long to make the cut depends on how long or short you would like the length of the shirt.
Next, using my ruler I drew a line from the middle cut to the end of the seam. This created an angle, which would help style the shirt once knotted.
Step 4: Tie the knot
Simply tie a knot, and you’re ready to go!
I repeated these steps with the other shirt, showing that this could be styled for almost any occasion.
Check-out my friend Claire, and see how these two shirts can create two different summer looks- sporty and dressy!
Try this out and let us know how it turns out!
Brittany Smith is a marketing intern at Triad Goodwill who loves to tackle anything DIY! She is currently a college student who loves to find amazing savings at Goodwill. She loves to thrift because she can find unique items and turns them into something new by adding her own spin to it!