Tutorial: Heat Wave Halter

It's 100 degrees here today. I'm not even kidding, people. I'm hot, and I'm never hot. We need things to keep us cool, to keep our minds off of the weather, and to help lessen our carbon footprint that might be contributing to the heat wave that is gripping a lot of the country (or might not be contributing...depends who you ask). So without further ad0, let me introduce the Heat Wave Halter:

I was inspired by this tunic, from Forever 21:

My version is made from an upcycled man's shirt - readily available from any thrift store, or even from your favorite guy's closet - and is customizable with myriad options, so you can make exactly the kind of shirt that's right for you.

Materials Needed:

  • upcycled man's shirt (short-sleeved is fine...I used a size XL.) Note: this size fit me perfectly when I was done, and I have a small frame. If you think you might need a larger size when you're done, start with a 2XL or 3XL. There are plenty of those out there, too, and it's better to guestimate on the larger side from the get go, rather than go through all of your steps and find out that your final product is too small)
  • 1/4" elastic, in a length 3" smaller than your upper bust measurement (the measurement right above your breasts, almost around your torso under your underarms, where a halter top would rest)
  • cording, long t-shirt scrap or crocheted chain, to use as a tie
  • safety pin
  • coordinating thread
  • elastic thread
  • sewing machine
  • serger (optional, but nice)
Time required: 1-2 hours

When possible, I've given instructions for optional or alternative steps, so you can pick and choose to make the kind of shirt that's ideal for you, based on your preferences and the amount of time you have to spend on the project.

Step 1:

Start with your average, garden-variety discarded (or soon-to-be-discarded, if your boyfriend doesn't yet realize that you took it from his closet) shirt. Feel good that you're creating something new and functional and trendy from something that is otherwise unloved and would be unworn. Pat yourself on the back, and keep on keepin' on.

Optional: Regular fabric, in a width that is a comfortable circumference of your upper bust (plus about 5") and the length from your underarms to your desired shirt length (plus hem) is fine, too. Example: if your upper bust measures 35 inches around, make sure you have two 20" wide pieces of material.

Step 2:

Using a seam ripper, take off the breast pocket, if there is one. If you want, you can take time to admire the Silly Bandz on my wrist. They're from my kids and have been on my wrist all summer.

Also, take your time and don't tug too much at the material during this step, or you'll create a hole, like I did (you'll see it later, if you look hard). If you do make a hole, it's fine; you can just take a few stitches to mend the hole, and no one will be the wiser because the top of the final shirt will have a little gathering and blousing to camouflage the mended hole, but it's easier to not make a hole to begin with. Lesson learned.

Optional: Leave the pocket on, as is. Or if you're worried about it sagging on the finished shirt, leave it on but sew the top of the pocket shut.

Step 3:

Chalk marks might help you with this (like in the picture above), but they're not absolutely necessary. Cut off the bottom of the shirt, right above the curved hem; cut the top, right below the collar (about 1" above that second button); cut the sides right inside the arms. Cut through both layers of the shirt. When you're done, you will have two layers of this:

Note: the back of your shirt might have a pleat right in the middle, like mine did, as part of its pre-transformation construction. This is fine; just treat it like it's not there, and keep going. It actually adds a nice little bit of extra room in the back, which is nice .

Step 4:

Sew the front shut, right down the edge of the botton holes. You could use a zipper foot for this, if you're worried about your presser foot hitting the buttons, but my regular foot worked fine. Which is a good thing, since I didn't want to change my presser foot. Because of feeling lazy.

Optional: You could skip this step entirely. The buttons will still be there to hold it shut, and it won't fly open. I just think it looks nicer with everything sewn down.

Step 5:

Right sides together, sew the front and the back of the shirt together at the side seams. Use a serger or a sewing machine. If you're using a sewing machine, you can zig zag the edges, use pinking shears, or leave them raw.

Step 6:

Serge the top and bottom edges (don't sew them together, just finish the edges).

Your tube of fabric should now look something like this, open at the top and the bottom:

Optional: You could skip the serging if you don't have a serger. You can zig zag the edges on your machine, pink them, or leave them raw.

Step 7:

Cut off the very top button. IMPORTANT: After you remove the button, use an Exact-O knife or a sharp pair of small scissors to go through the button hole and cut through the layer of fabric right behind the button hole. You should have a "button hole" that goes all the way through both layers of fabric (the original button hole, and the one you just cut behind it, parallel to it, in the other layer of fabric). This is going to be important when you insert the elastic later on, since we'll be using the button hole as an opening for the elastic and the tie. It will make sense later, I promise. This is just a small slit (less than 1/2"), and I do not worry about fray. It will be covered, anyway, as it will be well behind the tie.

Step 8:

Fold down the top edge, right above the now-buttonless button hole. Iron and sew this hem. The fabric should come to rest below the button hole, so you can sew it down and still have access to the button hole:


Step 9:

Using a safety pin, thread your elastic through the button hole and through the casing you made.

Sew each end of the elastic on the side of the column of buttons (one edge of the elastic on each side of that 1" or so strip that is the button strip). The elastic will not overlap; in fact, you will have a gap of approximately 1", right where the button strip is.

Tip: make sure you catch that first end of the elastic and sew it down before it scooches through the casing and you have to dig around for it. That's never any fun. Sew down the one end, finish threading the rest through, and sew down the other edge on the other side of the button strip. I used a zig-zag stitch.

Step 10:

Thread your cording or other tie through the button hole in this same casing, right over the elastic. Bring the other end back out through that same button hole.

Optional: I crocheted a chain from all-cotton thread and used it; you could also use a 3/4"-wide scrap of long t-shirt material, stretched to the length you need to go around your chest. Use what you have! Be creative!


Step 11:

Try on the shirt. With chalk, mark your waist. You are going to make 3 or 4 lines of stitching (the line you drew, plus 2 or 3 lines right below it), using elastic thread in your bobbin, to cinch the waist. Make your lines about 1/2" apart. You may want to chalk out your lines before you start sewing, to make sure you don't come across a button when you get to the front. DON'T SEW OVER A BUTTON OR YOU'LL BREAK YOUR NEEDLE! Worst-case scenario, just go AROUND the button (top or bottom, it doesn't matter) and keep on sewing.

Shirring, or sewing with elastic thread, is EASY! You can find a great tutorial on the Ruffles and Stuff blog. Once you try it, you'll be hooked.

Optional: You can add some simple straps, made from the scraps you cut off in step three, if you'd like a more covered look or are worried about it falling down. But I've worn mine all day and have had no problems at all.

Step 12:

Hem the bottom. I used a 1 1/2" inch hem, to add a little weight to the bottom, but try on your shirt and hem it at your desired length.

You're done! Put it on. Tie the top. Eat a popsicle. Show the heat who's boss.



Comments

Oh my goodness! This is so stinkin cute!! I can't wait to make it!
Unknown said…
This is so awesome! I'm going to try it myself.

Would you mind if I linked this project in my tumblog? It can be located at <a href="http://www.sewcrazy.tumblr.com>sewcrazy.tumblr.com</a>
That is so cute! I just clicked over from Craft Gossip and I'm so glad I did. What a great project for summer. I would love to link to this if you didn't mind.
Michelle said…
Thanks for the nice words! Absolutely, link away :-).

Thanks again for reading!

Michelle
Om maker said…
Love it! Been seeing these halter tops around. Thanks for the tutorial!
Staci J said…
Wow!! Great job, it's sucj a clever idea, and yes!! it is soo hot out right now:)
Visiting from justsewsassy.com
Anonymous said…
I love this, so lightweight and perfect for summer time :) I will definitely have to give this a try!
rubies-pearls.blogspot.com
Aaawww, that's cute! I would totally wear that...off to Goodwill!
Unknown said…
Really cute & a great way to remake old shirts!

Stopping by from Get Your Craft on Tuesday to check out your entry & say hi!
Michelle, that is adorable! I'm not a great sewer (yet, hopefully) - but your tutorial made it look like such an easy transformation - thank you. And it's SO darn cute! Great job!! :)
Robin Ange said…
Love it and I have a few mens shirts I need to try this with. Cute! you should link this up to my upcycled Awesome linky party! http://tinyurl.com/Upcycled7
CraftyHourMom said…
adorable tute!!


(But may I just point out - you twitched my pet peeve: "without further adieu"... should actually be "ado", which means "fuss". "Adieu" is French for "farewell.")
Michelle said…
Post corrected to fix what my bleary-eyed editing missed.
Great summer project and tutorial! So nice to "meet" a new face on Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks for sharing and hope to see you again soon!
Jami said…
That is CRAZY cute! I wish I felt more confident in my sewing abilities! I hope you'll stop by my PRETTY PACKAGES PARTY next week. You're so creative, I'm sure you have some super cute ideas for wrapping gifts! Be sure to grab a button for a little reminder!
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
smiles!
Threeundertwo said…
What a great idea! I love the concept of recycling clothes. My daughter does all kinds of things with tee-shirts from the thrift store. Thanks so much for linking up to Finished for Friday and stay cool!
Roslyn said…
Fabulous idea & tut! I think I'll make one-but I want sleeves[I am old,lol] I'll have to think about how to add them! If I figure it out I'll come back & tell you.
Tamara Hallock said…
Nice job! I wonder if my hubby has any shirts he won't miss.
That's a great halter!! So cute!!I'm imagining cutting up my husband's old shirts right now! How much fun!
Leisel said…
What fun-- upcycling is the best!

Thanks for linking!

Leisel
Brown Paper Packages
Renee said…
This is a very ingenious craft and being from Texas where its super hot, I am gonna scout out hubby's shirts and get to work! LOL. I would love to feature this craft on my blog linking your page if you don't mind. Again, wonderful job!
zette spaghetti said…
It's oh so very cute, unfortunately I struggle to pull off this style due to a rather sizable rack (or as one of my friends put it, my 'hello big bazongas'). I'm going to try it anyways, but any suggestions for boob-friendly modifications?
Carlee Potter said…
Cool. I like your work. I'm wondering if you've ever re-fashioned a business shirt for the purpose of keeping it as a wearable business shirt; only a bit more stylish/alternative? I'm very keenly attempting to search ideas on how I might do this.

I have all these women's business shirts - standard, long-sleeve, collared shirts - but I've recently shifted to a new industry/job in which I can wear funkier (less corporate) clothing. I don't want my 10-or-so collared business shirts to go to waste. I'm hoping to "style" them up somehow.

Would LOVE any ideas or links... thanks!
Anonymous said…
You can always use Fray Check on any raw edges so they won't ravel.
Anonymous said…
I think it is good, but so sleeves could make it cuter! Can't try to make one for my self! thanks for sharing
Cheryl UK said…
Another one I'm raising Hubby's Wardrobe for, also saw some Hawaii type shirts in my local thrift shops, I gonna up cycle them.. £££££££££££££££££ saved....thank you your really inspirational

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